Many people define themselves by what they have done, who they know, what they own, how they look, or how successful they seem to be. Others may define us the same way. But the Bible reminds us that these things do not last.
Appearance fades. Possessions can be lost. Success can change. None of these things truly show who we are before God.
God sees deeper than people do. When Samuel looked at David’s brothers, he saw their outward appearance. But God said, “People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
So what truly defines us in God’s eyes? Scripture shows us three simple things: our attitudes, our actions, and our words.
1. Our Attitudes
Our attitude matters to God because it reveals what is happening in our hearts. Proverbs says, “To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech” (Proverbs 8:13).
Pride is dangerous because it can hide inside us. We may notice wrong actions or careless words, but pride can be harder to see. Yet God takes pride seriously: “The LORD detests all the proud of heart” (Proverbs 16:5).
A humble heart pleases God. James 4:6 says, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
2. Our Actions
Our actions show what we believe. Jesus said, “By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:16). In other words, what grows from our lives shows what is in our hearts.
God calls us to live with kindness, mercy, and obedience. Micah 6:8 says that the Lord requires us “to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly” with Him.
Good actions do not save us by themselves, but they should grow out of a living faith. James 2:17 says, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
3. Our Words
Our words also reveal who we are. Jesus said, “The mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Luke 6:45). If our hearts are full of pride, anger, or bitterness, our words will often show it.
But when God is shaping our hearts, our words can bring life, encouragement, and healing. Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death.”
Paul also teaches us to speak in a way that helps others: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up” (Ephesians 4:29).
The Way of Love
These three areas—attitudes, actions, and words—are also seen in love. First Corinthians 13:4 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”
Love leads us to right actions: it is kind. Love leads us to right words: it does not boast. Love leads us to a right attitude: it is not proud.
In the end, God is not most concerned with our appearance, possessions, or success. He looks at the heart. He cares about how we think, how we live, and how we speak.
A simple prayer for us is this: Lord, help me to have a humble attitude, loving actions, and gracious words. Let my life be defined by what matters to You.
Reflection Questions
· Do my attitudes show humility before God?
· Do my actions show love and obedience?
· Do my words build others up?
Minister A Francine Green, October 2026