PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 15

What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?

“They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” (Matthew 15:8)
The religious leaders claimed to be serving God.
Jesus shows how their rules actually serve themselves.
They read the bible, but they applied it in their own favour.
It is easy to say that the Pharisees were hypocrites.
But what about us… what about me?
What Jesus says here is like a spiritual heart check up.
He is gently challenging us to see what is motivating us?
Is it love for God and people that motivates what I say and do?
If I am honest, I have to admit my lukewarm heart at times.
Jesus knows this, and wants me to admit my heart condition.
The problem with the Pharisees is that they didn’t admit it.
Even worse, they judged others for being sinful and self-serving.
Jesus warns us about judging the hearts of others.
We may discover that our own hearts are not as pure as we think.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, search me and know my heart. Help me not to judge the hearts of others, since I cannot even be sure about my own.