You can judge the quality of their faith from the way they

Host: The morning light filtered through the windows, casting a gentle glow on the worn wooden floor. The air smelled faintly of coffee, and the quiet hum of the city outside seemed far away, distant. Jack sat at the table, stirring his drink absentmindedly, his thoughts tangled in the words of a quote that had been circling in his mind for hours. Jeeny sat across from him, watching the play of light and shadow dance across his face, sensing the weight of his thoughts.

Jack: “I came across something today—Tertullian, a Christian writer from way back. He said, ‘You can judge the quality of their faith from the way they behave. Discipline is an index to doctrine.’ I don’t know, Jeeny. It seems pretty harsh, don’t you think?”

Jeeny: “I don’t think it’s harsh, Jack. I think it’s actually kind of insightful. What Tertullian’s saying is that faith isn’t just something you say or claim to have—it’s something you live. Behavior is the evidence of what’s truly inside. It’s the outward expression of your inner beliefs.”

Jack: “So, you’re saying that if someone claims to have faith, but they don’t live by it, then their faith is… what? Fake?”

Jeeny: “Not necessarily fake, but maybe incomplete. The way we behave is a reflection of what we believe, right? If someone believes in love, for example, you’d expect them to act with kindness, compassion, patience. If they don’t, then maybe their belief is more theory than practice. Discipline, in this case, is about following through with what you say you believe.”

Jack: “So, you think that faith and discipline go hand-in-hand? That if you don’t follow through with actions, your faith doesn’t hold as much weight?”

Jeeny: “Yes. Faith without discipline is like a house without a foundation—it can look good on the outside, but it won’t stand when the storms come. Discipline is the proof that the belief is strong enough to stand the test of life. Doctrine—your core beliefs—become evident through how you live. If you truly believe in something, it will shape your choices, your actions, the way you treat others.”

Jack: “But doesn’t that feel like you’re judging people too quickly? Like, you’re making assumptions about their faith based on how they behave, rather than understanding what they’re going through?”

Jeeny: “I understand what you’re saying, Jack. It’s not about being judgmental; it’s about recognizing that true faith leads to transformation. It’s not perfect, no one is, but it has to show up somewhere. If it doesn’t show up in the way we treat people, in how we face life’s challenges, then maybe we need to take a closer look at what we really believe.”

Jack: “I guess that’s true, but isn’t there also a danger in measuring someone’s faith just by their actions? What if they’re struggling, or maybe they haven’t figured it all out yet?”

Jeeny: “That’s true. Faith isn’t always perfect. It’s a journey. But Tertullian isn’t saying that you have to be flawless, or that your actions will always reflect your beliefs perfectly. He’s talking about the direction you’re heading. Are you trying to live according to what you say you believe, or are you just going through the motions? Discipline isn’t about being perfect; it’s about striving to live with purpose, in alignment with what you truly believe.”

Jack: “So it’s about intent, not perfection.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. Intent matters. The goal isn’t to get it right all the time, but to make a conscious effort to live out your faith through your actions. It’s the difference between knowing the right thing to do and actually doing it. Discipline is about consistency, about shaping your life around your beliefs—over time, the actions will reflect the doctrine.”

Host: The room seemed to settle into a quiet understanding as Jeeny’s words resonated in the space between them. Jack sat back, thinking deeply, his fingers lightly resting on his mug. He could see the truth in her words, the challenge that came with living a life of faith not just in thought, but in action.

Jack: “I think I get it now. It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being authentic. Living with purpose, letting your actions show what you believe, even when it’s hard.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. And that’s what makes it real. Faith isn’t just something you claim; it’s something you live. And it shows in your actions. If you truly believe in something, you’ll let it shape how you move through the world.”

Host: The silence hung between them, not as a void, but as a space for reflection. The air in the room felt a little lighter, a little clearer, as though the conversation had shifted something in the way they both saw the world—faith, discipline, and the ways they showed up in life. The light from outside faded, but the understanding between them stayed, hanging like a quiet, steady light in the dark.