Daily Devotional

Matthew 15:8

This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me.

Do you ever do things because it’s the right thing to do, but your heart really isn’t in it? Do you ever go through “spiritual Christian exercises" because it’s what Christians are supposed to do, but you’re not exactly sure why you’re doing it or even if you want to?

Sometimes we go through the motions of godliness without really practicing godliness that honors the Lord.

A number of months ago I bought some expensive foam acoustic panels which I’ve pinned to the walls of my office. They’re supposed to deaden the sound and remove the echoes that bounce around on the hard surfaces, windows and walls. Unfortunately, they don’t really work as well as advertised. But because they look nice (and cost me a fair penny) I have them arranged on my wall in a way that is at least interesting to look at.

I think sometimes we are all like those expensive acoustic panels — at least spiritually. We’ve been purchased with the blood of Christ, we’re supposed to serve a specific purpose (obedience) but we don’t fulfill that purpose very well and so we go through the motions or, at best, we look like we’ve got it all together on the outside but inwardly we feel far from God.

Have you ever been there? Of course you have…because you’re human. The flesh is weak but the spirit is willing.

I ask you to take a hard look at yourself right now and determine if you’re really walking in obedience or just going through the motions. If you’re living for Jesus…then keep going and excel even more! However, if you’re dry spiritually, then stop what you’re doing, repent, perform the deeds you did at first and beg God to let you fall more deeply in love with Him and His marvelous purpose for your life.

I’ll be praying for you all in this regard. God bless you, my friends!
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
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