Are You Mr. Talkative?

In Chapter 8 of Pilgrim's Progress, Christian has a companion named Faithful. Did you know Christian began the journey before Faithful, but in chapter 7, Christian catches up to Faithful making it appear that Christian started after Faithful, but this is because Christian made lots of mistakes that took him a while to learn from.This explains why some people who begin the Christian walk surpass others who have long been in the faith.

Who was Talkative?

The chapter begins like this:

From a distance there appeared a tall man who was somewhat handsome from afar, but not so up close. Talkative was his name. Talking was his gift; he could talk about anything, anyone, history, religion and the list goes on.

Christian who knew Talkative was not persuaded about his faith.

Faithful asked Christian

“Do you know him?”

Christian replied, “Know him! Yes, better than he knows himself.”

Christian shared with Faithful six concerns he had about Talkative:

1.        This man is ready for any companionship and for any conversation. As he talks with you now so will he talk when he is at the pub.

2.        All he possesses lies in his tongues, and his religion is only to make a great deal noise with it.

3.        His house is as devoid of true religion as the white of an egg is of flavour.

4.        A saint abroad but a devil at home.

5.        He professes true faith with his mouth, but he does not live out what he professes.

6.        Talkative is like a beast that chews the cud but does not have cloven hoof. He knows the word of God, but he does not part ways from sinners.

In my recent Pick-Me-Up Zoom talk I shared this with my attendee, and they laughed, more because the way I exaggerated Talkative’s character. Perhaps you laughed as well?

Laugh, but let us feel the weight of this statement, “on the day of judgment everyone will be judged by their fruit. They will not be asked, did you believe? But were you does or merely talkers.”

So, the question is not can you talk faith, but are you living out your faith, when no one is watching?