Show, Don’t Tell

Posted On January 9, 2022

“And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind.
Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.”

Titus 2:7 NLT

Showing vs. Telling

I dream of being a fiction writer someday. I admit that I spend more time collecting books about fiction writing than actually writing fiction, but I’m not ready to give up on my dream just yet! One of the recurring lessons I see in my writing books is show, don’t tell. In fact, one of the books I own even has that phrase as the title, so I thought it would be the best one to choose for a brief explanation:

“At some point in their writing career, all writers get the advice to show, not tell. . . .

Telling means that you — the author — give your readers conclusions and interpretations; you tell them what to think instead of letting them think for themselves. Showing means that you provide your readers with enough concrete, vivid details so that they can draw their own conclusions. . . .

Telling is abstract. Showing creates a concrete, specific picture in the reader’s mind.”

~Sandra Gerth, Show, Don’t Tell

To me show, don’t tell also applies to how we are called to live as Christians. Paul warns us to live a life worthy of our calling (Ephesians 4:1) and to make sure that our conduct reflects what we claim to profess:

“Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.  For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ.”

Philippians 3:17-18 NLT

Paul says there are many whose conduct reveals them to actually be enemies of the cross of Christ. Those are strong words, so we’ve got to take this seriously. Our actions demonstrate what we believe more than our words do. And our actions can help others understand for themselves what Christ is all about. Instead of telling others what to think, we let them draw their own conclusions, which is much more effective and meaningful for them. Back to my writing book, here’s a good example of showing versus telling:

“Telling: Tina was a loyal friend. She always helped out whenever one of her acquaintances or family members needed her. . . .

Showing: ‘Come on.’ Tina patted her shoulder. ‘Assembling the furniture won’t be that bad. You know what they say about many hands.’ She picked up the screwdriver.”

~Sandra Gerth, Show, Don’t Tell

Letting others experiencing the attributes of Christ firsthand reaches them in a profound and personal way. We can talk about Christ wanting us to serve others, or we can just serve. I remember commenting to my kids once, “I am a nice person.” My son-in-law laughed and said, “Mom, nice people don’t say that they’re nice people.” Oof! Yeah, he got me there. Telling people we are nice or good or kind doesn’t really mean much. We’ve got to show them by how we live.

“You have probably heard the saying actions speak louder than words. . . . Instead of telling your readers about your characters’ personality traits, let them get to know the characters through their actions. Let them see how they act and react to the story events, which will show their personality.”

~Sandra Gerth, Show, Don’t Tell

We can tell people what the Christian life is about, but it’s much more impactful to show them. Like it or not, our actions speak to others much more than our words do. We’ve got to be careful what message we are spreading in the name of Christ. Paul explains what our actions should look like:

“We show we are servants of God by our pure lives, our understanding, patience, and kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by true love, by speaking the truth, and by God’s power.”

2 Corinthians 6:6-7 NCV

Theme

“Let all that you do be done in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:14 ESV

No matter what we are called to do, we will always be called to do it in love. God is love. It’s His very nature. So everything He does is in love. When we represent Him and act on His behalf we must reflect this. Otherwise, we are doing more harm than good.

Now, please understand that I am talking to myself more than anyone else right now. My weekly posts usually reflect what God has been doing in my life, and lately He’s been pointing out how far from the ideal I really am. He, of course, is doing this in a very loving way. However, I am very aware that by writing this blog I am doing a whole lot more telling than showing. Telling has its place, but God is gently urging me to work on practicing what I preach, especially it comes to showing love. This is something He wants all of us to work on because He has important jobs for each one of us. And He wants us to get started!

“God usually chooses ordinary people like us to get things done. . . . we need to stop plotting the course and instead just land the plane on our plans to make a difference by getting to the ‘do’ part of faith. That’s because love is never stationary. In the end, love doesn’t just keep thinking about it or keep planning for it. Simply put: love does.”

~Bob Goff, Love Does

Our best example for how to do this is, of course, Jesus Himself. God tells us in His Word how to live, but Jesus came to show us. John Ortberg, in his book The Life You’ve Always Wanted, reminds us: “When Jesus came in the form of a servant, he was not disguising who God is. He was revealing who God is.” So if trying to do everything God wants us to do sometimes feels confusing or overwhelming, we can just look to Christ and try to do what He did. He came to love. He came to serve. He came to save. He wants us to do the same, even if it costs us something. His life is the ultimate example of showing vs. telling.

Telling: Jesus loves you.

Showing:

“When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.

Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.’ And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.

The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. ‘He saved others,’ they said, ‘let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.’ The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to him, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ A sign was fastened above him with these words: ‘This is the King of the Jews.’

One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, ‘So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!’

But the other criminal protested, ‘Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.’

And Jesus replied, ‘I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.’

By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. Then Jesus shouted, ‘Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!’ And with those words he breathed his last.”

~Luke 23:33-46 (NLT)

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:45 NLT

Writing Our Story

“Do what is right this week, whatever it is, whatever comes down the path, whatever problems and dilemmas you face — just do what’s right. Maybe no one else is doing what’s right, but you do what’s right. You be honest. You take a stand. You be true.”

Max Lucado, Grace for the Moment

We are not all called to be martyrs for the faith, but we are all required to give up control of our lives to Christ and live the way He wants us to live. Jesus said: “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34 NLT). This means when we give our lives to Christ, we are no longer the author of our own story. We turn over creative control to God. But He invites our active participation. We aren’t just passive characters; we are valuable contributors.

“I don’t want to just collect memories anymore. I’ve been thinking I’ll follow love’s lead and find some capers worth doing, ones so saturated with whimsy they have to be rung out like a wet towel to be understood fully. . . . I used to think I needed to record stories, but now I think I just need to engage them.”

Bob Goff, Love Does

God wants to work through each one of us to reach all of His children. We don’t need any special qualifications other than the willingness to be used by Him. He will take it from there. As we let Him write the story of our lives, there will be times of correcting and editing, but the ending will be more amazing than we ever could have imagined. As we spend more and more time with God — through His Word, through prayer, through worship, and through obedience — He will mold us and shape us into reflections of Christ Himself. And He will help us accomplish amazing things for His Kingdom in the process.

Too much is at stake for us to sit idly by and wait for others to step up. Another common admonition I see in my writing books is this: Stop reading books about writing and start writing! The same advice applies to our faith. Christian study is important, but there comes a time when we have to start doing. So let’s get to work! Let’s show others what being a Christian is all about.

“I often consider what I’m tempted to call the greatest lie of all time. And that lie can be bound up in two words: someone else. . . . I reflect on God, who didn’t choose someone else to express His creative presence to the world, who didn’t tap the rock star or the popular kid to get things done. He chose you and me. We are the means, the method, the object, and the delivery vehicles.”

~Bob Goff, Love Does

“Can I remind you of a simple truth? You are the answer to someone else’s prayer.”

Mark Batterson, Whisper

This week’s Scripture passages focus on being an example and showing Christ to others who may not know Him. Let’s be careful that we don’t give anyone a false impression. If what we’re doing is not accurately reflecting Christ, it’s time for a rewrite. The Holy Spirit is our editor. As we cooperate with Him, He will transform our story in amazing ways and help us shine Christ’s light to the world!

“In the same way, you should be a light for other people.
Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 5:16 NCV

References:

• Batterson, Mark. Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God. Multnomah, 2017.
• Gerth, Sandra. Show, Don’t Tell: How to Write Vivid Descriptions, Handle Backstory, and Describe Your Characters’ Emotions. Kindle ed., Ylva Publishing, 2016.
• Goff, Bob. Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World. Nelson Books, 2012.
• Lucado, Max. Grace for the Moment: Inspirational Thoughts for Each Day of the Year. J. Countryman, 2000.
• Ortberg, John. The Life You’ve Always Wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People. Zondervan, 2002.

Images:

• Storybook featured image by Comfreak from Pixabay
• Vintage Typewriter image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay
• Love Note image by hongwon jun from Pixabay
• Coffee & Journal image by Engin Akyurt from Pixabay
• Heart Book image by Manuel-H from Pixabay