Faith and works; our acts reveal our true self.

You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone: James 2:24

This is a widely misinterprested verse, and I am hardly going to end the debate over faith and works (contrast "for we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law," (Rom. 3:28) with " . . . so also faith without works is dead," (James 2:26)). In a Christian religious sense salvation comes from faith but faith is shown through works. In the broader sense, our acts reveal our true nature. (Of course, in other traditions, works are more central and their fulfilment shows faith).

Put otherwise faith is made manifest by works: if you claim to have faith there had better be some appropriate works manifested or your faith is false. This sentiment is echoed in 1 John 2:4 which says, "If you say you have come to know Him, yet you do not keep His commandments, then the truth is not in you and you are a liar."

So, in religion, and if life more broadly, "Ye shall know them by their fruits". What we believe is unknown to the outside world but what we do can be seen by all; our acts must be the outward reflection of our inner self.