Matthew 15:8-9 These people draw near Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts hold off and are far away from Me. 9 Uselessly do they worship Me, for they teach as doctrines the commands of men. Amplified Bible (AMP)
Yesterday in Isaiah 1 the prophet spoke of those who were lifting "bloody hands" in praise to God in what was empty worship. In today's passage Jesus quotes Isaiah and is speaking of the same kind of thing. The Amplified Bible speaks of honoring with the lips while the heart holds off, the heart is not committed to what the mouth is saying. In his study Bible notes, John MacArthur references it as empty ritualism
The prophet Ezekiel saw the same kind of thing: Ezekiel 33:31 And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as My people, and they hear the words you say, but they will not do them; for with their mouths they show much love, but their hearts go after and are set on their [idolatrous greed for] gain. Amplified Bible (AMP)
People enjoy sitting down and hearing a good debate, it can be good entertainment and good fodder for conversation. As Christians we should not be concerned about entertainment and having something simply to spur on good conversation. The purpose of our worship should be to draw near to God, to praise and worship Him from hearts that have turned towards Him and desire to follow and please Him. We come to hear, draw upon and be motivated, by God's Word and not empty ritual or the wisdom of today.
Blessings,
Mike
Follow the verse of the day at www.mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Matthew 15:7-9
New International Version (NIV)
7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
8 "'These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
9 They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.'
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