“What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, ‘Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well’—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?” (James 2:14–16 NLT)

Most people have hidden facets—skills, accomplishments, or sides of their personality that they don’t make known. Some are truly surprising. For instance, Hedy Lamarr was one of the most popular actresses of the 1940s and was often called “the most beautiful woman in film.” What most people didn’t know—and didn’t learn until after her death—is that she was also an inventor whose pioneering work led to Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth technology.

Chances are, you have hidden facets, too—things about you that most people don’t know and might be surprised to learn. Your Christian faith shouldn’t be one of them. That’s the message James sends loud and clear.

The Lord doesn’t intend for your Christian faith to be a private matter. He wants it to spill out in every area of your life. He wants it to splash over everyone you know and everyone you encounter. He wants your faith to make a real difference in other people’s lives—not with just your words, but with your actions as well.

If you’re married, that difference-making starts with your spouse. In Ephesians 5:21–33, the apostle Paul compares the relationship between a husband and wife to the relationship between Jesus and the Church. That’s how seriously God treats marriage. And that’s the reason your spouse should see your faith in action every day, in big things and small.

We’re not talking about Christian platitudes—the marital equivalent of “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well.” As James puts it so succinctly, “What good does that do?”

We’re talking about tangible acts of love and sacrifice. About putting your faith into action to make your spouse’s life better—which, in turn, makes your relationship better, stronger, and more durable.

You show your Christian faith in the way you use your words with your spouse. You resist the urge to criticize and complain. Instead, you look for opportunities to give sincere compliments and encouragement. You also show your faith in the way you deal with conflict. You use words not to attack or blame, but to resolve.

You show your faith by listening to your spouse and offering comfort, empathy, or silence, as needed. You show it by making your spouse feel seen, heard, understood, respected, and loved unconditionally.

You show your faith by sacrificing your own needs and putting your spouse’s needs first.

You show your faith by being faithful—to your marriage vows, of course, but also in smaller things. In the promises you make—to finish a household chore, to pick up a kid from practice, or to go out for a date night. Make your word mean something to your spouse.

And you show your faith by prioritizing God’s Word. By studying it together. By praying with and for your spouse every day.

Faith in action, like charity, begins at home.

Reflection question: How will you show your faith to your spouse or loved one in a tangible way this week?

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