So words without actions can be a cop out. But actions without words can be much the same. We tend to avoid what is hard. But that is precisely what will benefit us the most.

My point is that this saying is often used by people who are trying to avoid their clear duty to speak their faith. I have never heard it used to inspire great acts of Christian charity. I have often heard it used as an excuse for a sin of omission. That is failing to say what you are called to say.

Words can be a cop out; when we chose to pray but not do and play it safe. Actions show we are willing to risk because we have faith. It’s one thing to say “I believe you can cross Niagra Falls on a tight rope pushing someone in a wheel barrel”, it’s quite another to be willing to be the one in the wheel barrel.

Finally, I believe most people are attracted to Jesus not because of His words but because of His loving actions documented in the bible and being shown through His disciples today. On the contrary, it took relationship with Him and His actions of love to hear His words which often challang and shake people’s lives. Many walk away from His words because they have no experience of His love to trust Him.

Does anybody know who first attributed this statement to St. Francis?

I like the idea of picking you moments. But if your moment is never then you have a problem. Most of the time it is based on an assumption people will react badly. But they don’t always. People do hate being preached at. But having a friend share their sincere love for Jesus is not the same thing. If your heart is in the right place you need to trust that God will let them see that. You can’t wait until you become a saint. Sharing the faith will be a step in that direction but you may still be a long ways off. Pray for opportunities. When they come up then speak up. It can be with a person that surprises you. You just never know what is going on in a person’s soul.

If you truly want to help outsiders come to faith, the ultimate way to do it is to lead by example. Follow Jesus’s commands, especially to love your brother, and just as the Bible says, others will recognize you as a Christian by those actions. Simultaneously, they will be drawn to you and your faith because your actions reflect the gentle love of God.

Nothing is more jarring to a non-Christian than to hear the Bible preached at you. The only thing worse than this is having the bible preached at you by a Christian who does not appear to be LIVING the Gospel. This quote by St. Francis of Assisi is not saying that one should avoid quoting the Bible to avoid getting judged- rather, it is saying that you can preach most effectively by living a Godly life and attracting others to that flame.