February 22, 2016

I PRAISE THE LORD WITH MY LIPS, BUT I HIDE THE WORLD IN MY HEART.

Matthew 15:1–20

Jose Padilla
Monday's Devo

February 22, 2016

Monday's Devo

February 22, 2016

Central Truth

God knows our hearts. We can lie to those around us. We can paint a picture that says we are devoted to God. We can go through all the motions of being a good Christian. But if our hearts are not in the right place, then we are not honoring God.

Key Verse | Matthew 15:8

"This people honors me with their lips,
 but their heart is far from me."
(Matthew 15:8)

 

Matthew 15:1–20

Traditions and Commandments

Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” 1 15:5 Or is an offering he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word 2 15:6 Some manuscripts law of God. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:

‘This people honors me with their lips,
    but their heart is far from me;

in vain do they worship me,
    teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

What Defiles a Person

10 And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” 12 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” 13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides. 3 15:14 Some manuscripts add of the blind And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” 15 But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? 4 15:17 Greek is expelled into the latrine 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. 20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”

Footnotes

[1] 15:5 Or is an offering
[2] 15:6 Some manuscripts law
[3] 15:14 Some manuscripts add of the blind
[4] 15:17 Greek is expelled into the latrine

Dive Deeper | Matthew 15:1–20

Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees and Scribes when He busted out Scripture from Isaiah saying, "'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." (Matthew 15:8-9) When I read this, I was encouraged by the fact that Jesus brought the truth using words God had already provided in the Old Testament.

This is a passage I will hold dear to my heart, not only because this is my first Join The Journey but because I also struggle with honoring God with my lips instead of my life. It is easy to confess with my lips and do all the “right” things, but it is hard to die to the world and surrender everything to Christ. 

The world is full of temptation, and I know how much it can cause someone to stumble. I am a fresh believer, and though I see all the good God has done for my family and the transformation He has made in me, I am still trying to break 27 years of bad habits. It is not easy. I also know, though, that anything is possible through God; all you have to do is allow Him to lead you. I hold to 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” You cannot fill your heart with God’s Word and the world.

Jesus tells us in verse 19 that what comes out of our lips comes from our hearts. This got me thinking: "What am I putting in my heart? Is what I’m planting helping me grow closer to or further from God?" What we put into our hearts will overflow from us. So, are we filling up on God’s Word or words from the world? Do we honor God or ourselves?

We need to be mindful of what goes into our hearts because we all have a sinful nature, and that can snowball quickly. I turn to Psalm 119:11 for guidance, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

Discussion Questions

1. Do you pour out your heart, mind, and soul when you worship God?

2. Is what you are planting in your heart helping you develop a closer relationship with God?

3. Do you worship to glorify God or to paint a picture of being a "good" Christian?

4. What distractions could be keeping you from growing closer to God? (e.g., TV, music, sports, fame, fortune)