Body Language

Proverbs 20:11 (NLT) “Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.”

I thought about the subject of body language while watching my German shepherd dog playing with C.C. this morning. His body language is true to his heart. He’s always totally honest about everything, and he’s easy to read. His ears and tail are the biggest indicators of his mood. If he’s looking at you and his ears are erect, you have his attention. Ears up and tail held high means he’s is in a good mood. Tail up high and ears pointing back means he’s feeling affectionate. Ears up, tail held high and hackles raised means uh-oh, he senses danger and is in protection mode. This, of course, is accompanied by ferocious barking.

Miriam Webster on-line defines body language as “the gestures, movements, and mannerisms by which a person or animal communicates with others”. During my Google search, I found an interesting article that states you can determine if a person is lying by observing their body language. It’s quite interesting, actually. Police officers and potential employers observe the body language of people they interview/interrogate. The forced smile, the nervous scratching of the facial area, limited arm and hand movements are apparently the body language of lies. So next time Sally asks, “how’s the coffee”, consider that your facial expression has already answered her question before you blurt out “oh, it’s very good.”

Do you remember that popular camp song that goes “and they’ll know we are Christians by our love?” When people observe you, what is your body language saying? Anyone can talk the talk. What are your deeds reflecting? One of our pastors recently taught us that we must walk the talk, otherwise, our words are worthless. Our deeds come from our heart; that’s where goodwill is stored. If the storehouse is empty, we really have nothing to share, and our body language is going to reveal it.


Scriptures

Micah 6:8 ( Amp) “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God?”

James 2:22 (NLT) “You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete.”

1 John 3:18 (Amp.) “Little children, let us not love merely in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth in practice and in sincerity.”