5 – Pithy and Profound Do as I say not as I do.

Do as I say not as I do.

Have you ever heard that before? I have.  My father used to tell me this all the time when I would say, “Well you do it, or that’s what you do.” Then I would hear, “Do as I say not as I do.” Why do people say this? I think it is because they do not want to give up a habit or something they might conceive as pleasurable.

Let us look at a Biblical example. Matthew chapter 23.

Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. “Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. (Matthew 23:1-3 NKJV)

“Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do.” Is this not the same as “Do as I say not as I do?” Jesus went on to tell the people about the things the scribes and Pharisees were doing for all the wrong reasons and eventual begin a list of Woes! “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!”

Even Jesus tells us to do as they say not as they do. They are actually words of wisdom.

The second thing Jesus points out is “but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.” This is hypocritical. Do you want to follow a hypocrite?

So the next time you here Do as I say not as I do, think about the consequences of your actions if you would follow those who, do not do as they say.

In Christ,

Greg