April 2025

Devotional: Reflecting Christ Through Our Behaviour

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Devotional: Reflecting Christ Through Our Behaviour

By John Wadsworth

Scripture: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

In the Living Wholeness Approach, the Physical circle represents how we engage with the world around us. It is a two-way channel—where we express our emotions and beliefs, but also where external influences can shape the deeper aspects of our being, ultimately reaching our hearts.

Reflecting on our time in China, my family and I often felt like we were living in a goldfish bowl. As foreigners in a close-knit community, we stood out—our actions were constantly observed, from how we ate to the things we bought or the way we dealt with problems. We quickly realized that every detail of our lives was visible, and our behaviour spoke volumes.

More recently, while training in India with a small team, I’ve become acutely aware of how my behaviour can be influenced by my environment. In new and challenging dynamics—or when exhaustion sets in—unhealthy habits can creep in. Sometimes, my time with the Lord is neglected as commitments pile up, or I become irritable with others. Yet, by God’s grace, the team has been gracious, loving, and supportive, showing patience and understanding. This has prompted me to ask myself, “Do my actions truly reflect my relationship with Christ?”

A Transformed Life: When we accept Christ, we become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). This transformation should be evident in our behaviour—how we treat others, respond to challenges, and make decisions. It’s not just about avoiding sin but actively pursuing righteousness, kindness, and integrity.

Reflecting Christ Daily: Living out our faith requires intentionality. We must be mindful of our actions, remembering that we are Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). This involves:

  • Demonstrating love and grace, even in difficult situations.
  • Serving others selflessly.
  • Speaking truth with kindness and wisdom.
  • Living with integrity, even when no one is watching.

Walking in the Spirit: The Holy Spirit empowers us to live in a way that honours God. Galatians 5:22-23 speaks of the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. As we yield to the Spirit, our behaviour becomes a natural reflection of Christ.

Yet, as humans, we will sometimes stumble, drifting toward self-centeredness. Thankfully, we can always return to Christ, acknowledge our failures, and seek His forgiveness and restoration. We are all on a journey of transformation. Let’s continue to be aware of our weaknesses, pressing on to live out our lives in the fruit of the Spirit.

Prayer: Lord, help me reflect Your love and character in all I do. Let my actions point others to You. Empower me by Your Spirit to walk in obedience and shine Your light in every aspect of my life. Amen.

Reflection: Take time today to evaluate your actions. Are they reflecting Christ to those around you? Seek His guidance in areas where you may struggle to live out your faith fully.

Letting Our Light Shine through our Behaviour

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Letting Our Light Shine through our Behaviour

By JP

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

When I think about behaviour, I naturally think about actions—what a person is doing. But beyond the visible, behaviour is a window into the unseen: our thoughts, emotions, motivations, and beliefs. In psychology and counselling, we often explore behaviour-6 by asking questions like:

  • What is the reason behind this behaviour?
  • What need does it fulfil?
  • What does this action help someone achieve?

These questions help us move beyond surface-level observations and into deeper understanding. Why do people do what they do? And even more importantly, why do we do what we do?

The Power of Habits and Intentional Living

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on habits—how to cultivate good ones and replace unhealthy ones. Sometimes, I catch myself engaging in behaviours I know are unhelpful or even detrimental. Why do I keep doing them? Are they simply automatic? Or is there a deeper longing behind them?

Recently, I considered doing a social media fast because I realized I was spending far too much time mindlessly scrolling. A friend, however, suggested a different approach: instead of just abstaining, I should reflect—What am I seeking when I reach for my phone?

  • Is it boredom?
  • A dopamine hit?
  • A form of escape?

This simple shift in perspective changed my approach. It wasn’t just about breaking a habit but about understanding its root cause. Often, our behaviours serve as symptoms of something deeper—perhaps unmet emotional needs, stress, or even a misplaced longing for connection.

I realise not all behaviours carry moral significance. Some are simply neutral—like how we fold our clothes or how we arrange books on a shelf. These actions don’t necessarily reveal much about our character. However, other behaviours—such as how we treat others, how we react under pressure, or the choices we make in difficult situations—can reveal what is truly in our hearts.

Jesus made this clear when He said, “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). Our actions, words, and even habits are often an expression of what is happening internally. This is why true transformation isn’t just about behaviour modification—it’s about heart renewal.

Jesus: The Perfect Example of Purposeful Living

When we look at Jesus, we see that His behaviours were never random or impulsive. Everything He did—whether forgiving sins, healing the sick, or challenging the Pharisees—was intentional and reflected the heart of the Father.

  • His actions were rooted in love. Even when correcting or rebuking, He did so with compassion.
  • He lived in obedience to God’s will. He didn’t act based on emotions or convenience but in alignment with divine purpose**e.
  • He remained consistent in His character. Whether in times of celebration or suffering, His behaviour reflected the same grace and truth.

As followers of Christ, we are called to mirror this intentionality. Our actions should not be driven by habit alone but by a deep desire to glorify God in all we do.

Identity First, Behaviour Second

There’s a common belief that behaviour shapes identity. For example, someone who wants to be fit and healthy may start exercising regularly, and over time, their actions reinforce their identity as a disciplined and health-conscious person.

However, from a Christian perspective, transformation begins the other way around—from the inside out. Instead of merely adjusting our behaviour to fit a new identity, we need to allow God to transform our hearts, and from that transformation, our behaviour naturally changes and with long lasting effect showing a deep transformation.

Romans 12:2 reminds us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Our identity in Christ—being children of God, redeemed and made new—should be the foundation from which our actions flow. Rather than striving to behave in a certain way to become more Christian, we let God work within us, and our behaviours begin to reflect His love, grace, and righteousness.

A Challenge to Reflect

Perhaps the challenge for us today is not just to examine what we do but to ask ourselves why we do it.

  • Do our behaviours bring us closer to God, or do they distract us?
  • Are we living in a way that allows others to see Christ through us?
  • Do our habits reflect intentional choices, or are they just mindless routines?

Let us strive to live with purpose, allowing our actions to shine as a testimony of God’s love and grace. May we be intentional in our0 choices, mindful of our habits, and always seeking to glorify God in everything we do.