We all know the “do as I say and not as I do” principle. We would like people to indeed follow what we say and not what we do. But sadly, people around us are not fooled by the sermons delivered or the words we, Christians, transact talking about what Christianity is, rather they examine every move we make and every little thing we do, and attribute that to the faith we follow. It is the sum of many little things that you and me do mindlessly that has brought the populace to view Christians, and thus Christianity, as hypocrites. How to change the world view of Christianity? Simple, examine what we say and do and make sure it does reflect Christianity. It is the little stuff that matters, to say it again, it is the little stuff that matters. There will be a series of blogs, at least once a week, bringing up one little thing that you and I can easily change. None of which singularly will make a difference, but the collective change will indeed change you and me and our view and understanding of what Christianity is about, and thus impacting the populace around us.

The goal of this post is to encourage people to never again ask, “what’s your favorite verse”. Why not? Because it is one of the things we say innocently and mindlessly, just cause many before us have carried out this practice, without realizing the damage it renders. Damage to whom? to those in the faith and those outside the faith.

Those in the faith; It implies that one has read the Bible so deeply and is so familiar with every single verse in the Bible then picked ONE favorite verse. In a way, it is boastful, not a Christian thing to do. Has everyone of us read the Bible so deeply and so thoroughly as to pick ONE favorite verse? Have we?

It also places unnecessary pressure on others to “have to pick a verse”, as if in a popularity contest. They ‘all’ have one, therefore I must pick one too. It creates a ‘click’ that so many may pick a verse just to have one. Peer pressure and ‘clicks’ are not a Christian thing to do.

This Bible, this book full of FULL OF so much wisdom, beauty, poetry, marvel and so much about God, can it really have ONE verse that is a favorite? Well, the question is what is ‘your’ favorite verse and not ‘the’ favorite verse. This is where the problem lies! We hear, one saying, “my Bible tells me” and then another says, “no my Bible tells me”. This is what has created ‘my version’ and ‘his version’ and ‘her version’ of what the Bible says, thus greatly contributing to the hypocrisy.

Those outside the faith;  a bystander observes, notes and attributes this boastfulness, ‘click’ behavior, peer pressure and disagreement among Christians as an outcome of Christianity. Then why would this bystander listen to anything this Christianity has to say.

So what is a simple question that is intended to show one’s attachment to the Bible, reflects non Christian characteristics. To emphasize, this one thing by itself won’t make a difference, but as we examine many of our present behaviors over the coming weeks, changing them one at a time will make a difference.

I implore you to examine this further on your own. If you choose, do not reference a favorite verse and if asked what is your favorite verse, say something to the effect of “the Bible is so full of wonderful verses, and who am I to pick one of so many wonderful verses”, for humility is a Christian characteristic.