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You may have heard the saying, "If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it must be a duck." Well, the opposite is true, too. In other words, if it doesn't look like a duck, doesn't walk like a duck, and doesn't quack like a duck, then it must not be a duck.

So, keeping this in mind and using this as a measuring tool, do others believe you are a Christian? That's something to think about, isn't it?

Do you look like a Christian? Is your physical appearance pleasing to God? Are you dressed as Christ would like you to dress? Do you usually have a pleasant expression on your face? (Romans 6:13; Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 6:20)

Do you walk like a Christian? Is your daily lifestyle something Christ would be pleased about? Are you obedient to God's Word? (2 Corinthians 9:13; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:4) Are your goals and motives always "Christ-minded"? (2 Corinthians 10:5) Are you always honest and trustworthy? (Titus 2:7-8) Do you always strive to obey the law? (Romans 13:1-7; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-17) Is your reputation above reproach? (1 Peter 2:12) Do you keep your temper under control? (Titus 2:6; 1 Peter 1:13; 1 Peter 4:7) Do you display a positive outlook in life? (1 Corinthians 10:10; Philippians 2:14-16) Do those around you wish they could be happy like you? Do you use every opportunity to behave in a way which makes others want to know what hope you have that they don't? (Ephesians 5:15-16; Colossians 4:5; 1 Peter 3:15) Do people want to know Jesus due to the way you act? (Matthew 5:16)

Do you talk like a Christian? Do you have control of your tongue? (Titus 2:6-8) Are the words which come out of your mouth free from gossip, slander, ridicule, obscenities, and other negative qualities? Is your talk wholesome? (Matthew 12:36; Colossians 3:8; Colossians 4:6; Ephesians 4:29; Ephesians 5:4) Do you always speak the truth? (Ephesians 4:15; Ephesians 5:9; Ephesians 6:14; 1 John 2:21) Do you tell others what God has done/is doing for you? (Hebrews 13:15)

So, do you look, walk, and talk as a Christian should? There is probably room for improvement in each of us. So let us begin now by applying the duck test to our lives so that we can look, walk, and talk more like Christ.

Copyright © 1999 Kimberly B. Southall. All rights reserved.