Wearying The Lord

How many times have we been guilty of this, saying one thing and doing another?  This happens far too often in the Christian community also.  We are not the only ones that are guilty of this, the Jews were guilty of this sin also, but that doesn’t give us an excuse.  How many times have you honored the Lord with your lips but your heart has been far from Him?  The Lord is not interested in lip service; He seeks people with integrity, people that are genuine, those that have no guile.

Nathanael was this kind of person. Jesus said this about Nathanael when Philip brought him to Jesus in John 1:47, “Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, ‘Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!’”  You have heard it said that honesty is the best policy and that is true and this was the kind of man that Nathanael was.  

Jesus also said this in Matthew 15:8, “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.”

Many people act hypocritical at times, saying things they don’t do like the Pharisees.  At one time Jesus told the multitude and His disciples this in Matthew 23:1-3 about the Pharisees, “Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.’”    

Knowing the Word and speaking it is important but far more important is applying it to your life and living it out so that your words are not just lip service.  Isaiah spoke of this problem first in Isaiah 29:13 where it says this, “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.’”

These people said they belonged to God but their actions said something different.  There are those that have the form of religion but lack the power therein.  These people may look like believers on the outside and even talk like one but their actions speak louder than their words.  They are nothing but pretenders.

Speaking of people honoring God with their lips, what about the songs being sung today as part of worship?  How many really pay attention to the words that they sing and how many lies are taking place while worship songs are being sung?  I used to sing whatever songs were on the agenda, not thinking about the words, until one day it was brought to my attention and I realized that I was just following the leader, and some of the words didn’t apply to my life; in other words, I was just giving the Lord lip service because some of what I was singing wasn’t true and I was singing lies.  I am not saying the person who wrote the song lied; it may have been true in their lives at the time but not in my life at the time.

Let me give you an example, when we sing, “you’re all I want,” is that true?  Not in my life, because I want many things or I wouldn’t own the things that I have that are not needs.  If you are a believer and sing the song, “You’re all I need,” that is the truth.  If we have Him, He will supply all we need, either supernaturally or He will provide the needs some other way.  Living by faith is what is needed.

As believers, let us not weary the Lord with our lip service, let’s try our best to live out what we say and be not hypocritical, then we will be pleasing the Lord.  Something to think about, may the good Lord bless you and yours and may you have a super day!!