One day St. Francis of Assisi invited a young assistant at the monastery to go with him into town to preach. The two men passed through the main streets, turned down many byways and alleys, made their way into the suburbs, and at length returned by a circuitous route to the monastery gate where the younger man reminded Francis of his original intention. “You have forgotten, Father, that we went to the town to preach!”

“My son,” Francis replied, “we have preached. We were preaching while we were walking. We have been seen by many; our behavior has been closely watched; it was thus that we preached our morning sermon. It is of no use, my son, to walk anywhere to preach unless we preach everywhere as we walk.”

It reminds us of the old poem by Paul Gilbert that says:

You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day,
By the deeds that you do, by the words that you say;
Men read what you write, whether faithless or true.
Say — what is the gospel according to you?

What can you do to improve the chances of your being “convicted” of being a follower of Jesus Christ?

Start each day by rededicating yourself to Him, asking Him to guide your thoughts, words, and actions during that day. Bishop Taylor Smith (1860-1937), British commanding army chaplain, once wrote: “As soon as I awake each morning I rise from bed at once. I dress promptly. I wash myself, shave and comb my hair. Then fully attired, wide-awake and properly groomed, I go quietly to my study. There, before God Almighty and Christ my King, I humbly present myself as a loyal subject to my Sovereign, ready and eager to be of service to Him for the day.”

Then enter each day with a joyful attitude. Our Christian faith shows up on our faces. Remember the exhortation of 1 Peter 3:15: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.” In other words, our most effective witness comes when others have seen the hope and joy that radiate from our lives.

It might also be helpful to imagine that a film crew was following you throughout the day with television cameras, watching for you to “blow it” as a Christian. Guard against such moments. Recognize the damage you could do to your testimony by uttering that word, looking at that magazine, listening to that joke, or snapping at that employee.

When you do fail as a Christian, be quick to admit it and apologize. Recently a Christian father lost his temper with his children while trying to get them ready for church. He yelled at them, slamming his fist on the table and creating a frightful scene. As it happened that day, the sermon was about the importance of a father’s influence. Afterward, this man gathered his kids and said to them, “This morning I failed God and I failed you by losing my temper. I’m not a perfect man, but I try to live as I should each day. This morning I didn’t do very well, and I’m sorry. I’ve confessed it to God and asked for His forgiveness, and I’d like to ask for your forgiveness, too.”

It was a moment his children would remember for a long time.

Finally, be growing each day as a Christian. The Lord wants to perfect what concerns you (Psalm 138:8). He desires your being increasingly conformed into His image, so that your testimony will grow increasingly effective. Daily Christian growth is a matter of staying in the Bible, praying, trusting, and obeying.

The Bible says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). That’s a solemn command. Someone’s eyes are on you, and you may be the only Gospel they will ever see. If they keep watching for evidence of your Christianity, will there be enough to reach a verdict?

May we all be found “guilty as charged.”

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Dr. Jeremiah is the founder and host of Turning Point for God and senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California. For more information on Turning Point, go to www.DavidJeremiah.org.

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