Gongs and Cymbals
When you go to a symphony performance, you will often hear the sound of cymbals ringing out at a climax in the music. Or perhaps a loud ringing sound of a gong will be heard.
These are the instruments that can be heard over all the others in the orchestra. Imagine if you were standing right next to the percussionist right at that moment; it would be deafening.
This is why first Corinthians chapter 13 starts with this analogy. If I could speak all the languages of Earth or the languages of angels, but I didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
If we don't demonstrate love in our actions, all anyone can hear is a loud crashing every time we open our mouths. Our actions speak louder than our words.
Show gentleness and love in your dealings with others, and they will be much more likely to be able to listen to you and to hear what you say when you talk about your faith and when you talk about Jesus.
“If we don't demonstrate love in our actions, all anyone can hear is a loud crashing every time we open our mouths.”
1 Corinthians 13:1
“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”