Kamál, 09 Asmá’ (Names), 180 B.E.
Reflections on the Life of the Spirit
Quote for Reflection:
Say: Let truthfulness and courtesy be your adorning. Suffer not yourselves to be deprived of the robe of forbearance and justice, that the sweet savors of holiness may be wafted from your hearts upon all created things. Say: Beware, O people of Bahá, lest ye walk in the ways of them whose words differ from their deeds. Strive that ye may be enabled to manifest to the peoples of the earth the signs of God, and to mirror forth His commandments. Let your acts be a guide unto all mankind, for the professions of most men, be they high or low, differ from their conduct. It is through your deeds that ye can distinguish yourselves from others. Through them the brightness of your light can be shed upon the whole earth. Happy is the man that heedeth My counsel, and keepeth the precepts prescribed by Him Who is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. — Bahá’u’lláh 1
Question for Consideration:
In which of the following situations do the words of the person differ from his or her deeds? 2
Someone keeps repeating that we should all be united but behaves in a way that creates conflict.
Google Bard Response:
In the situation you described, the person’s words and deeds differ in the following ways:
Their words say that we should all be united, but their deeds create conflict. This is a clear contradiction, as unity cannot be achieved through conflict.
Their words are about peace and harmony, but their deeds are about division and discord. This shows that they do not truly believe in what they are saying, or that they are not willing to put their words into action.
Their words are about love and compassion, but their deeds are about anger and hatred. This shows that they are not truly kind and compassionate people, or that they are not willing to show their kindness and compassion to others.
The quote from Bahá’u’lláh reminds us that our words should be aligned with our deeds. If we say that we want to be united, then we must act in a way that promotes unity. If we say that we want peace, then we must act in a way that brings about peace. Our words and deeds must be consistent if we want to create a better world.
The person in your situation is a good example of someone whose words and deeds are not aligned. They say that they want unity, but their actions create conflict. This is not only harmful to themselves and others, but it also undermines the very cause they claim to support.
If we want to create a more united and peaceful world, we must all be willing to put our words into action. We must speak and act in ways that are consistent with our values. Only then can we truly make a difference.
Someone praises the value of a chaste life but has sexual relations outside of marriage.
Google Bard Response:
In the situation you have described, the person’s words and deeds differ in the following ways:
Their words praise the value of a chaste life, which means abstaining from sexual relations outside of marriage.
Their deeds contradict their words, as they are having sexual relations outside of marriage.
This is an example of what Bahá’u’lláh calls “walking in the ways of them whose words differ from their deeds.” It is important to be mindful of the difference between our words and our deeds, and to strive to live in accordance with our highest ideals.
When we say one thing and do another, we send mixed messages to ourselves and to others. We may confuse ourselves about what we truly believe and value. We may also mislead others into thinking that we are someone we are not. This can damage our relationships and make it difficult to build trust.
If we want to live a life of integrity, it is important to be honest with ourselves and with others. We need to be willing to examine our own thoughts and actions, and to make changes when necessary. We also need to be mindful of the impact our words and deeds have on others.
When we live in accordance with our highest ideals, we create a more harmonious and peaceful world. We also set a positive example for others to follow.
Someone consumes alcohol occasionally, while professing to follow a religious faith that prohibits drinking.
Google Bard Response:
In the situation you described, the person’s words are saying that they follow a religious faith that prohibits drinking, while their deeds are saying that they do drink alcohol occasionally. This is an example of “words differing from deeds.”
The quote from Bahá’u’lláh emphasizes the importance of being true to one’s words and deeds. It says that we should strive to manifest the signs of God and mirror forth His commandments through our actions. When our words and deeds are in alignment, we can be a positive influence on others and help to spread the light of truth.
In the case of the person who consumes alcohol occasionally while professing to follow a religious faith that prohibits drinking, their words and deeds are not aligned. This can lead to confusion and doubt among others, and it can also make it difficult for the person to live a life of integrity.
If this person is sincere in their desire to follow their religious faith, they may need to reconsider their relationship with alcohol. They may need to decide whether they are willing to give up alcohol altogether, or whether they can find a way to moderate their drinking so that it does not conflict with their religious beliefs.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to drink alcohol is a personal one. However, if someone is concerned about the difference between their words and deeds, it may be helpful to talk to a trusted friend, family member, or religious leader. They can offer guidance and support as the person makes their decision.
Someone advocates the equality of men and women but, as an employer, pays women less than men for the same job.
Google Bard Response:
In the situation you described, the person’s words and deeds differ in the following ways:
Their words say that they believe in equality for men and women, but their deeds show that they do not.
They are paying women less than men for the same job, which is a form of discrimination.
This discrimination is unfair and unjust, and it goes against the principles of equality that they claim to believe in.
The quote from Bahá’u’lláh reminds us that our words should match our deeds. If we say that we believe in something, but our actions do not reflect that belief, then we are not being true to ourselves or to the principles that we claim to uphold.
In this case, the person who advocates for equality for men and women but pays women less than men for the same job is being hypocritical. Their words say one thing, but their deeds say another. This is a clear example of how our words can differ from our deeds.
We should all strive to live our lives in a way that our words and deeds are aligned. When we do this, we are living in accordance with the principles of truthfulness, justice, and forbearance. We are also shining a light on the world and showing others what it means to live a truly meaningful life.
- Bahá’u’lláh. Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. Translated by Shoghi Effendi. Bahá’í Reference Library, 1935. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/bahaullah/gleanings-writings-bahaullah/7#482116648.
. ↩ - Ruhi Institute. Reflections on the Life of the Spirit. 4.1.2.PE May 2020. Vol. Book 1. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Institute, 2020, 4-5. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩
Frameworks for Understanding the World 