A saint abroad and a devil at home

I'm sure this flurry of blogging will die down once the newness wears off.  But, let me continue to strike while the iron is hot...


So I'm reading The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan.  I don't always read stodgy Old English books but after asking a highly respected friend to challenge me to read something good he prescribed this one.  I'm so glad he did.  Happily, this pilgrim is making progress through the book and have come to contemplate one of the many fascinating characters... Talkative.  


As soon as the characters name showed up in the story I felt my heart begin to pound.  Would I find too much of myself in this guy?  Would he be a positively portrayed character?  Would he be the butt of all the jokes?  My concern stems from my own awareness that I enjoy 'chewing the cud', as it where, as much (or more) than the next guy.  


If you don't know the book I won't give you much context.  I would rather provoke you to read it yourself.  However, the bare minimum for this discussion is that Christian and Faithful are journeying together toward Mount Zion after leaving City of Destruction.  Along the way they encounter a fellow sojourner named Talkative.  He speaks of the journey so well.  He talks in a way that shows him to be absolutely congruent to the desires of Christian and Faithful.  The problem is... Christian knows the guy from past experience and Faithful does not.  


Faithful makes a case for Talkative as he discusses his character with Christian privately.  But the thing that makes it clear to Faithful that Talkative may not be all he appears to be is a quote that Christian makes.  In describing Talkative's reputation back home he says that the people there know Talkative as "A saint abroad, and a devil at home."


I heard John Maxwell once say that there have been, unfortunately, several people in his life that he respected less and less the more he got to know them.  I've seen that happen as well.  There was a time in my life when I'm sure it was true of me and without the Lord's help I could easily return to the 'cud of my youth'. (that phrase is a stretch)  In our desire to connect with people and make friends it's so important that our lives can cash the checks our mouths are writing.  Because, as we know, 'the Kingdom of God is not of talk but of power.' (I Cor 4:20)


What will become of Talkative in the story?  I feel I already know. But, more importantly, what will happen with me or with us in this life?  Will we speak so well about the will of God and His goodness and have none of it to show in our character?  I pray not.  My hope is that my 'talk' is based on the evidence I and others see in my life more than the desire I have in my heart.  


Oh to be a saint abroad and at home.  Oh to be a saint.... at all.