The world sees in our conduct, in our behaviour, the proof that

"The world sees in our conduct, in our behaviour, the proof that we are the real children of God." — These words, spoken by Pope Shenouda III, are a mirror held up to the soul. They remind us that the truest testimony of faith is not written in books, nor proclaimed from the tongue, but revealed through action. The world, he says, is watching — not to judge our prayers or our rituals, but to see in our conduct the reflection of divine light. It is not our words that convince others of God’s presence within us, but the life we live, the way we treat one another, the compassion we show, and the humility that governs our hearts. To be called a child of God is not a title of privilege, but a calling of responsibility — to live as a witness of His love upon the earth.

In the days of the early Church, when believers were few and persecution was fierce, the followers of Christ did not spread their message through sword or speech alone. They lived with such gentleness, forgiveness, and courage that even their enemies were astonished. The Roman historian Tertullian, not himself a Christian, once wrote that pagans would look upon the early believers and say, “See how they love one another!” It was in their behaviour, their conduct, that the truth of their faith was revealed. They did not need to boast of their beliefs; their lives were the testimony. Their patience in suffering, their kindness toward strangers, their refusal to retaliate in hate — all these became proof that they were indeed the children of God.

Pope Shenouda III, the revered Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church, lived by this same principle. He shepherded his people through persecution, exile, and misunderstanding, yet he always called them to respond with love. He reminded them that every action, every word, and every gesture was a sermon in itself. To walk humbly, to forgive, to be generous even when wronged — these, he taught, are the signs of divine sonship. It is easy to speak of God when the world is kind; it is when the world is cruel that our conduct becomes the true measure of our faith. Shenouda understood that the light of God shines most brightly in those who reflect His mercy even in the midst of darkness.

There is a story from the life of St. Francis of Assisi, who once told his brothers, “Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words.” One day, he walked through a village with a young friar, silently greeting people, helping the poor, and blessing children. When they returned, the friar asked, “But Father, when shall we preach?” Francis smiled and said, “We have already done so.” In his humility, in his actions, Francis had revealed God’s love more powerfully than any sermon could. This story, though centuries old, echoes the same truth Pope Shenouda expressed — that faith lived is faith proven, and that our behaviour is the clearest language of the soul.

The meaning of Shenouda’s words extends beyond religion; it touches the universal heart of human morality. The world does not judge us by our beliefs, but by our fruits — the results of our inner life. A person may claim to know truth, but if their conduct is marked by arrogance, cruelty, or deceit, the claim is empty. As it is written in the Gospel, “By their fruits, you shall know them.” A child of God bears the likeness of the Father not in appearance, but in character — in kindness, patience, justice, and peace. Each act of goodness becomes a living testimony that divine love dwells within the human heart.

The lesson is as simple as it is profound: if we wish to be recognized as children of God, let our lives reflect His image. Let our words be gentle, our judgments fair, and our hearts forgiving. When others see integrity in our actions and grace in our demeanor, they will glimpse the light of Heaven shining through us. The world may not read the scriptures we hold, but it will read the scripture of our conduct — our choices, our treatment of others, and our response to adversity. This is how we preach without words, how we reveal God not through argument but through example.

Therefore, let us live as witnesses, not merely believers. Let our behaviour be our prayer, and our actions be our creed. When faced with anger, let us answer with peace; when tempted by pride, let us bow in humility; when confronted with hatred, let us return love. In doing so, we prove ourselves not only as followers of God, but as His true children, radiant with His spirit. For in the end, the world does not see God through visions or miracles — it sees Him in the hearts and conduct of those who live His truth each day.