This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worhsip me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men,’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” Mark 7:6b-8
Do you know where your heart truly is? Is it far from God or is it close?
In Jesus’ day, the religious leaders were highly respected and were considered holy. They were the experts of the Old Testament law. The religious leaders prided themselves on keeping the law. Their outward behavior could not be critized. The only person that could was Jesus. He did call them out. True holiness is a matter of the heart, not how we act on the outside. Read Mark 7:1-8. What did the disciple do or not do that disturbed the Pharisees? What did Jesus call the Pharisees? Why did Jesus use a strong term?
Now Read Matthew 23. Jesus again strongly rebuked the Pharisees for hyprocrisy. What did he accuse them of? Jesus basically said that there was a world of difference between what they appeared to be on the outside and what they actually were from the inside. The Pharisees hearts did not match up to their outward actions of their talk and activity. God knew this. He know where our hearts truly are. The Pharisees were corrupted in the inside.
To the world, the behavior of someone who is genuinely holy (not perfect, but living in humble obedience to God) and a hyprocrite may be similar to them. Yet God doesn’t look on the outward behavior; He looks at our hearts. He doesn’t glance at our hearts; He searches them.
Take some time today and let God search your heart. Listen to what the Holy Spirit is putting on your heart. Is there an Pharisee tendicies in your life? Does God see true holiness or hypocrisy? Are you really as spiritual as others think you are? Are you someone who looks and act spiritual? Is the impression that others have about you the same as what God know to be the real state of your heart?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for searching our hearts and letting us know what needs to change. I pray that we will take the time to hear what you have found in our hearts and that we will change our ways to meet yours. I pray that we will want to change our hearts to be more like yours. I pray that our ourward appearance in words and action matches what is truly on the inside of us.
In Jesus Name
Amen
