What’s Wrong With ‘Do As I Say, Not As I Do’?

The story is told of a fellow named Tom who received a last-minute invitation to a formal dinner party. Excited about the invite, he eagerly accepted. Then he realized his tuxedo was badly wrinkled and needed to be pressed. Tom had to find a dry cleaner that could take care of his tux right away.

 

With a sense of urgency, Tom searched the Yellow Pages (this was years ago, before the Internet) and was delighted to find Same Day Cleaners. Best of all, it was nearby. So, he hopped into his car and rushed over to the shop, confident they could de-wrinkle his tuxedo in plenty of time.

 

When he arrived, Tom told the person at the counter that taking the wrinkles out of his tux was literally a pressing matter. “Well, we can have it for you by next Tuesday,” the clerk responded. “Next Tuesday?” Tom exclaimed. “Your shop is called Same Day Cleaners!” “Yeah, that’s what we’re called, but it’s not what we do.”

 

I recall as a boy I often heard grownups say, in all seriousness, “Do as I say, not as I do.” I think of an older cousin that I looked up to both figuratively and literally – he was six-foot-seven. He smoked cigarettes, but told me, “If you ever start smoking, I’ll break your arm.” I don’t know whether it was his threat or the fact I didn’t think smoking was a smart thing to do, but I never did take up that vice.

 

Even though we don’t hear the phrase as much, ‘Do as I say, not as I do’ remains the mindset of many people. It might be the self-proclaimed ‘Christian businessman’ who’s willing to cut corners and shade the truth if it seems expedient. Or the parent who warns against the dangers of drinking but makes time to regularly get together with friends at the local pub. Or the prominent clergyman noted for preaching stirring sermons yet engages in scandalous activities. Maybe you can think of other examples.

 

At its essence, Christianity is a show-and-tell belief system. We’re charged to proclaim the message of the Gospel – that salvation, redemption and eternal life are offered through Jesus Christ alone. But we’re also to model what He and the rest of the Scriptures have taught.

 

Writing to Christ followers in ancient Corinth, the apostle Paul made a statement that at first seems very bold. He said, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Another translation states it this way: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” I sometimes ask myself if I would dare say that. But Paul was merely expressing confidence in his devotion first to Jesus, and then to teaching and discipling others. 

 

Elsewhere he wrote, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice…” (Philippians 4:8). His ministry motto clearly was, ‘Do as I say – and do as I do.”

 

Paul not only expected his own walk to equal his talk but also expected the same from those in whom he invested much time and energy. Writing to his young protégé Timothy, Paul exhorted him to “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). 

 

This certainly pertained to how Timothy taught the Scriptures, but also to how he conducted himself. Because Paul quickly added that he should “avoid godless chatter…. Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace…” (2 Timothy 2:16,22).

 

Over my years of working with parachurch ministries I have observed many people who faithfully lived out biblical teachings, as well as some who weren’t nearly as consistent in doing so. I’m thankful for those who served as my mentors and positive examples of what a devoted follower of Jesus should look like. But even when I’ve seen instances of folks who failed to do so, it’s reminded me that ultimately Christ, not people, who should be our foremost example.

 

When Jesus gave His disciples what we call the Great Commission – “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20) – He was speaking to people who had spent three years with Him, 24/7. They’d seen Him live out the truths He so powerfully expressed. He was truly the incarnate Word of God, practicing what He preached.

If we desire to live out our faith consistently and be able to encourage others to “do as I say – and do as I do,” we’d be wise to follow the admonition of Hebrews 12:2, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.”