[Jesus said] “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;” (Matthew 15:8, ESV)
Some Jewish religious leaders approached Jesus not to learn from Him. They approached Jesus to trap Him in a religious argument and somehow prove Jesus a false prophet. In the ensuing debate, Jesus knew the heart of these religious leaders. He knew they were not there to learn but instead to find fault. The religious leaders were acting religious, but their motives were far from godly. They wanted to damage Jesus’ reputation, strip away Jesus’ followers, and prove Jesus heretical. They did not succeed. As a consequence, Jesus explained to his followers that these leaders were the living definition of hypocrites (Matthew 15:7).
To end the discussion with these hypocritical religious leaders, Jesus quoted Isaiah 29:13. Jesus taught on that day that among the people of Israel were those who honor God “with their lips” while their “heart is far from God” (Matthew 15:8). The hypocritical Jewish leaders who sought to trip up Jesus were the same type of leaders who tried to mislead Israel in the days of Isaiah. True to form, hypocrites around Jesus and Isaiah were guilty of the same sin. They honored God with their lips while their heart was far from godly.
Throughout the centuries, those who honor God with their lips while being far from godly in the heart have persisted with absolute regularity. You would expect these types of hypocrites that tested Jesus and were called out by Isaiah to be atheists or idolators. Instead, they were people who attended the Temple, participated in worship, and said their public prayers. They were supposed to be the people of God. Instead, their hearts betrayed their sinful aspirations. Acting like perfect children of God on the outside, they tried to hide their selfish, sinful, corrupt hearts on the inside. God pointed out these types to Jesus and the prophets. God is still pointing them out today.
In a recent conversation with an atheist, we agreed on a common point. Both he and I saw that among church people there were many hypocrites, liars, fakers, and schemers. Even among pastors and church leaders, this atheist saw many more as politicians than preachers and teachers. I find it interesting that even an atheist could see that the heart of many churchgoers is still plagued with hypocrisy. As he said, “Many act all religious, but when you get right down to it, their goals are thoroughly worldly… not godly.” He is right. People who honor God with their lips and not the heart are still common in modern times, still scheming against others, still plotting their own agenda.
If my words sound harsh, so be it. They are meant to be. Hypocrites in the church often drive people away from God. They damage the souls of the innocent. They walk over others in order to gain self-worth. They are a great source of turmoil inside the church and derision outside it. Their example keeps people from seeking a true relationship with God. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing, just as Jesus explained in Matthew 7:15. Jesus never had one good thing to say about hypocrites…not one.
Taken at face value, Jesus’ words in today’s scripture teach us something very valuable about an honorable belief in God: the actions and the heart together define who is faithful from who is fake. If a person acts religious but is not faithful of heart, that person is a hypocrite. If a person does not act faithfully but has a faithful heart, that person is sinful. If a person does not act religious and does not have a faithful heart, that person is an atheist, heathen, or God-hater depending on their attitude. Only a person whose heart is godly and whose actions are righteous is a faithful child of God.
In essence…. Jesus wants the heart and religious expression to be aligned and faithful. Both should honor God. So, the question for you today is…. “Are your heart and actions both in alignment with God?”
Recently, I came across an interesting story from the life of Tom Landry, head coach of one of the greatest football teams to ever play. In his years coaching the Dallas Cowboys, Landry led the team to twenty consecutive winning seasons, thirteen division titles, and two super bowl victories.
In Landry’s years as head coach, he saw many good athletes. A reporter once asked Landry about what makes a great football player. Landry commented that “the difference between a good athlete and a great one is eighteen inches—the distance from the head to the heart. Good athletes have exceptional ability and a thorough understanding of the game, but great athletes have heart—a passion to play that drives them to selfless sacrifice, brutally long hours of practice, undivided focus, and ultimately, to achieve extraordinary accomplishments.”
After noting Landry’s view, the Anne Graham Lotz made this spiritual observation:
“In over forty years of ministry, I have observed many good Christians—but very few great ones. And the difference is the same eighteen inches—the distance from the head to the heart. While there are many good Christians who have a head knowledge of Scripture and are comfortable with prayer, there are relatively few Christians who are in love with Jesus, who put Him first in their lives when doing so demands that they sacrifice their own time, money, and desires. How would Coach Landry have described you? Are you a good Christian? Or a great one? The choice is yours!” (p. 88, Fixing My Eyes on Jesus).
Let me put it a little differently. Do your actions and heart align with God? When it comes to your love for God, is your heart in the game or just playing around?
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in Heaven, keep me on the path of righteousness. Remind me to be true in heart and soul. Teach me the path to serenity. Guide my steps away from evil. Whisper the truth to my mind. Let me forever be an obedient servant and honorable believer in Your Kingdom come.
I am a sinner. I have failed You, Heavenly Father. Temptations have swayed me. Lusts drove me to failure. I was overcome with worldly delights. Material possessions have their allure. The pleasures of this life tease the mind. I fell victim to my own weakness. When I should have remained obedient, I faltered. Needing to stand up for what was right, I cowered. Faced with looking good before others or doing what was faithful, I chose poorly. Forgive my wayward steps, precious Father!
In the name of Jesus Christ, I understand my faults. His words remind me how to be trustworthy and faithful. The cross is a constant reminder that Jesus died for my sin and suffered to retain me in the Kingdom of Heaven. I am always thankful to have been saved by my Lord Jesus! I feel blessed to be a standard-bearer for Heaven. Let my heart be devoted. Amen.
To end the discussion with these hypocritical religious leaders, Jesus quoted Isaiah 29:13. Jesus taught on that day that among the people of Israel were those who honor God “with their lips” while their “heart is far from God” (Matthew 15:8). The hypocritical Jewish leaders who sought to trip up Jesus were the same type of leaders who tried to mislead Israel in the days of Isaiah. True to form, hypocrites around Jesus and Isaiah were guilty of the same sin. They honored God with their lips while their heart was far from godly.
Throughout the centuries, those who honor God with their lips while being far from godly in the heart have persisted with absolute regularity. You would expect these types of hypocrites that tested Jesus and were called out by Isaiah to be atheists or idolators. Instead, they were people who attended the Temple, participated in worship, and said their public prayers. They were supposed to be the people of God. Instead, their hearts betrayed their sinful aspirations. Acting like perfect children of God on the outside, they tried to hide their selfish, sinful, corrupt hearts on the inside. God pointed out these types to Jesus and the prophets. God is still pointing them out today.
In a recent conversation with an atheist, we agreed on a common point. Both he and I saw that among church people there were many hypocrites, liars, fakers, and schemers. Even among pastors and church leaders, this atheist saw many more as politicians than preachers and teachers. I find it interesting that even an atheist could see that the heart of many churchgoers is still plagued with hypocrisy. As he said, “Many act all religious, but when you get right down to it, their goals are thoroughly worldly… not godly.” He is right. People who honor God with their lips and not the heart are still common in modern times, still scheming against others, still plotting their own agenda.
If my words sound harsh, so be it. They are meant to be. Hypocrites in the church often drive people away from God. They damage the souls of the innocent. They walk over others in order to gain self-worth. They are a great source of turmoil inside the church and derision outside it. Their example keeps people from seeking a true relationship with God. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing, just as Jesus explained in Matthew 7:15. Jesus never had one good thing to say about hypocrites…not one.
Taken at face value, Jesus’ words in today’s scripture teach us something very valuable about an honorable belief in God: the actions and the heart together define who is faithful from who is fake. If a person acts religious but is not faithful of heart, that person is a hypocrite. If a person does not act faithfully but has a faithful heart, that person is sinful. If a person does not act religious and does not have a faithful heart, that person is an atheist, heathen, or God-hater depending on their attitude. Only a person whose heart is godly and whose actions are righteous is a faithful child of God.
In essence…. Jesus wants the heart and religious expression to be aligned and faithful. Both should honor God. So, the question for you today is…. “Are your heart and actions both in alignment with God?”
Recently, I came across an interesting story from the life of Tom Landry, head coach of one of the greatest football teams to ever play. In his years coaching the Dallas Cowboys, Landry led the team to twenty consecutive winning seasons, thirteen division titles, and two super bowl victories.
In Landry’s years as head coach, he saw many good athletes. A reporter once asked Landry about what makes a great football player. Landry commented that “the difference between a good athlete and a great one is eighteen inches—the distance from the head to the heart. Good athletes have exceptional ability and a thorough understanding of the game, but great athletes have heart—a passion to play that drives them to selfless sacrifice, brutally long hours of practice, undivided focus, and ultimately, to achieve extraordinary accomplishments.”
After noting Landry’s view, the Anne Graham Lotz made this spiritual observation:
“In over forty years of ministry, I have observed many good Christians—but very few great ones. And the difference is the same eighteen inches—the distance from the head to the heart. While there are many good Christians who have a head knowledge of Scripture and are comfortable with prayer, there are relatively few Christians who are in love with Jesus, who put Him first in their lives when doing so demands that they sacrifice their own time, money, and desires. How would Coach Landry have described you? Are you a good Christian? Or a great one? The choice is yours!” (p. 88, Fixing My Eyes on Jesus).
Let me put it a little differently. Do your actions and heart align with God? When it comes to your love for God, is your heart in the game or just playing around?
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father in Heaven, keep me on the path of righteousness. Remind me to be true in heart and soul. Teach me the path to serenity. Guide my steps away from evil. Whisper the truth to my mind. Let me forever be an obedient servant and honorable believer in Your Kingdom come.
I am a sinner. I have failed You, Heavenly Father. Temptations have swayed me. Lusts drove me to failure. I was overcome with worldly delights. Material possessions have their allure. The pleasures of this life tease the mind. I fell victim to my own weakness. When I should have remained obedient, I faltered. Needing to stand up for what was right, I cowered. Faced with looking good before others or doing what was faithful, I chose poorly. Forgive my wayward steps, precious Father!
In the name of Jesus Christ, I understand my faults. His words remind me how to be trustworthy and faithful. The cross is a constant reminder that Jesus died for my sin and suffered to retain me in the Kingdom of Heaven. I am always thankful to have been saved by my Lord Jesus! I feel blessed to be a standard-bearer for Heaven. Let my heart be devoted. Amen.