Scripture

He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.’”
(Mark 7:6)

Devotional

Words are cheap, but they can cost us a great deal. It takes little effort to say something, but accomplishing our words is another matter. Ideas are in abundance, however, instituting those ideas takes more than words. We revel in our dreams and goals, but do little to bring them to fruition. We talk of our love for God, but seldom read His Word or pray, as we should. We boast of our trust for Him, but do not trust Him enough to tithe and give offerings. We pay lip service only.
God clearly calls this kind of faith hypocrisy. If our lips say one thing and our hearts another, let us turn our hearts toward God. If we do so our lips will not betray us or cause us to sin. Here is how: Give of your treasures. Give your time, resources and finances. Jesus clearly informs us, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”(1)

(1) Matthew 6:21

Thought For The Night

“No man can for any considerable time wear one face to himself and another to the multitude without finally getting bewildered as to which is the true one.” Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864): American novelist and short story writer. His best-known works include, The Scarlet Letter and The House of Seven Gables.

Evening Text

Mark 7:6: He answered and said to 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.’”

Looking for Answers

How important are our words to God?
Do most people focus on saying the right thing or the honest thing?
Do you find yourself saying the things people want to hear or need to hear?

Evening Study Guide

Defining: Here the Lord quotes almost verbatim from the Septuagint translation of Isaiah 29:13. The hypocrisy is evident, speaking to please men rather than God.

Referencing: “Therefore the Lord said: ‘Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,” Isaiah 29:13.

Applying: Do your best to “Speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).