This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me
The people seemed to be religious. They were saying the right things. But on the inside, they were not in love with God.
INTRODUCTION
Outwardly, the people seemed to be religious. They said the right prayers. They followed the rules. They fulfilled their religious obligations. They used the words of religiosity.
They were mouthing the words of religion and spirituality with their lips. But inwardly, they did not have a relationship with God. Those words were just lip service. The people were fulfilling a religious obligation. They were going through the motions. They were not in love with God.
That was the case back in biblical days. And it is the case nowadays.
In our day, many professing Christians who go to church and say the right things and follow the rules. They go through the motions, but they are not in a love-relationship with God.
BIBLE VERSES
Isaiah 29:13. The Lord said, “Because this people draws near with their mouth and honors me with their lips, but they have removed their heart far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment of men which has been taught;”
Jeremiah 12:2. You have planted them. Yes, they have taken root. They grow. Yes, they produce fruit. You are near in their mouth, and far from their heart.
Ezekiel 33:31. They come to you as the people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear your words, but don’t do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goes after their gain.
Matthew 15:8. And in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrine rules made by men.’ ”
Mark 7:6. He answered them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
SEE ALSO
You hypocrites! The Lord Jesus does not mince words. He uses the term “hypocrite” to address his opponents directly.
This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. The people seemed to be religious. They were saying the right things. But on the inside, they were not in love with God.
Be doers of the Word. Many Christians say their faith is a matter of their heart. But the Bible calls us to put our faith into action. If we listen to the Word, but don’t act on it, we deceive ourselves.
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.