PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 15:1-11
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” (Matthew 15:8)
Sometimes we need to get a check up on our heart, to see if everything is OK.
Jesus is challenging the hearts of these religious leaders, probing their devotion.
Through these words, Jesus is testing our hearts to, to measure their sincerity.
One way to test the heart is through a stress test: facing an opportunity or challenge.
Will you be generous, or sacrifice your time for someone else, or say NO to sin?
In those moments the strength and focus of our heart is revealed.
The Lord doesn’t want to shame us, He has already forgiven us and wants to help us.
But we have to be willing to come to Him and allow Him to test our hearts.
Some people have proud hearts, they think they are stronger than others.
Some people have half-hearts, they are only investing some of their love.
The Lord is looking for humble hearts, who are able to admit their weakness.
These religious leaders needed to face their hypocrisy, so they could be healed.
Jesus refuses to let your heart remain in bondage to pride, lust, greed, or whatever.
Open yourself to Him, let Him probe your heart; He can bring your heart close to Him!
PRAYER
Lord, You probe and test to heal us, not to hurt us. Help me to see both opportunities and challenges as times when You are strengthening my heart. I want to be closer to You!
“These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules”
I am reminded to seek first the kingdom of heaven; that it is not legalism that delights the Lord but the fruit of deeds and spirit that will please Him. Lord, help me to not break Your commands for the sake of my traditions and habits.
a fig tree without figs – a nice fruit tree but no fruit. Nice outward show but inside nothing good comes out – that is the heart of the matter. God is looking for persons ‘after his own heart’ – Oh God my heart wants to do and say what is right – lead me, guide me I pray.
Lord Jesus, I do not want to honour You with only my lips, but with my heart. Help me to worship You in a way that pleases You; help me avoid the trap of human traditions that distract me from the heart of worshipping You.