“These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.”
Matthew 15:8,9
Jesus defines ‘vain’ worship as worship offered only with the lips
while the hearts’ affections are elsewhere. He was speaking specifically of the Scribes and Pharisees; the religious leaders of his day. He then goes on to indict their actions further by saying: “their teachings are merely human rules.”
True worship originates in an obedient heart, but obedience to whom?
‘Mere human rules’ may be effective in corralling or coercing a congregation or a people into uniform obedience but that is far from true worship.
If you are married perhaps you can think of it this way:
Which expression of love would be more genuine to you;
the one offered or the one demanded?
The expressions of our love and devotion to God reach His heart
Matthew 15:8,9
Jesus defines ‘vain’ worship as worship offered only with the lips
while the hearts’ affections are elsewhere. He was speaking specifically of the Scribes and Pharisees; the religious leaders of his day. He then goes on to indict their actions further by saying: “their teachings are merely human rules.”
True worship originates in an obedient heart, but obedience to whom?
‘Mere human rules’ may be effective in corralling or coercing a congregation or a people into uniform obedience but that is far from true worship.
If you are married perhaps you can think of it this way:
Which expression of love would be more genuine to you;
the one offered or the one demanded?
The expressions of our love and devotion to God reach His heart
when they originate from our hearts.
God knows what genuine worship is.
He also knows the flattering lip and the disingenuous heart.
Jesus called it “vain” worship.
Certainly there is a place for corporate worship as well as the direction
and teaching concerning that worship, from leadership .
That is not what I am speaking of today.
Rather, I am talking about that worship which is expressed out of our routines, traditions or convenience rather than a relationship through the Holy Spirit.
“I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you;
God knows what genuine worship is.
He also knows the flattering lip and the disingenuous heart.
Jesus called it “vain” worship.
Certainly there is a place for corporate worship as well as the direction
and teaching concerning that worship, from leadership .
That is not what I am speaking of today.
Rather, I am talking about that worship which is expressed out of our routines, traditions or convenience rather than a relationship through the Holy Spirit.
“I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you;
I will praise your name, LORD, for it is good.”
Psalm 54:6
Psalm 54:6
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