Flapping Your Gums vs. Flapping Your Wings
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
“Banish forever any thought of indulging the flesh if you want to live in the power of your risen Lord. It is incongruous for a man who is alive in Christ to dwell in the corruption of sin.” – C.H. Spurgeon
Imagine a young lady who aspires to be a fashion model, a prima ballerina, or a professional athlete. All three of those vocations require a person to maintain the strictest discipline when it comes to their diet, sleep patterns, and practice/training.
Now imagine that same young lady sitting down each night and eating a large bowl of chocolate chip mint ice cream and washing it down with a sugary and calorie-laden soft drink… all while binge-watching her favorite TV shows until the wee hours of the morning. Day after day and night after night.
Chances are that young lady would soon be tipping the scales and would either be kicked off her team, fired by her coach or trainer, or lose her modeling contract. You see, it’s one thing to say that you want something, but it’s something entirely different to back up that desire with demonstrable actions.
The same thing goes when it comes to personal holiness. You can say that you want to be spiritually mature, but unless you are willing to “put in the work” that includes Bible study, prayer, church attendance, witnessing, and self-denial… all you are doing is flapping your gums.
Here is what Charles Spurgeon, the “Prince of Preachers,” has to say on the subject…
“Pursue holiness; it is the Christian's crown and glory. An unholy church is useless to the world and of no esteem among men. It is an abomination, hell's laughter, heaven's abhorrence. The worst evils that have ever come upon the world have been brought upon her by an unholy church.”
“You are God's servant: Act as such. You are God's king: Reign over your lusts. You are God's chosen: Do not associate with Satan. Heaven is your portion: Live like a heavenly spirit, and in this way you will prove that you have true faith in Jesus, for there cannot be faith in the heart unless there is holiness in the life.”
“Then Jesus told His disciples, ‘If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.’” Matthew 16:24 (BSB)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
