He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.”

Jesus answers the Pharisees question about ceremonial washing by exposing the fact that they had let go of the true commands of God and had made up their own traditions. This exposed the fact that these religious leaders were more interested in proudly obeying the letter of the law instead of truly following the heart and voice of God.

Christians today can have the same kind of heart and practice as the Pharisees of Jesus’ day. It is so easy to go through the motions of obeying God by saying prayers, going to church and even doing devotions to the extent that you journal and write down observations about the scriptures. But if it never translates into active obedience to the dynamic voice of God’s Spirit, then it’s possible that the believer’s heart is truly far from God and that he or she is just honoring God with their lips. We all need to listen carefully to the words of Jesus when He says: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

I want to be near to the heart of God. I don’t want to be like the Pharisees who were just going through the motions of religion just to show off and proudly exhibit their piety and discipline. True worship is expressed in having a heart that is pliable and responsive to the impressions of the Holy Spirit. I truly want to be available and obedient to the Lord when He speaks to me about following Him and serving His people.

The life of God is so dynamic if I’ll step in to that place of walking in His Spirit and being sensitive to His voice. There’s a great adventure available to me and to everyone who will surrender to God’s best for their lives. This requires a humble and dependent heart that trusts that God’s way and direction is always better than our own selfish and independent spirit. I don’t want to just honor Him with my lips; I want to be near to the heart of God and be moved by what moves the heart of Almighty God.

Lord, thank You for challenging me to have a humble and pliable heart before You. Help me to be sensitive and teachable in your presence. Help me to be mindful of your presence through each day as I follow You and seek to honor You with my life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to see life through heaven’s perspective. I want to be near to the heart of God and ready to listen to His voice and respond in obedience.