June 8, 2024 Daily Dose of Discernment

“This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. (Matthew 15:8)

Some, if they are like what I used to be (hopefully no longer), are guilty of this, condemning other Christians, especially those who recite “repetitious prayers.” The truth of the matter is praying impromptu and not saying written prayers is no guarantee we’re not just paying lip service. Whether we are spontaneous or borrow the words of familiar prayers, we should have our minds and hearts engaged and in sync with our mouths.

But even beyond prayer, our manner of life should also be consistent with whatever else we confess with our lips. If we say we believe in Jesus' teachings and proclaim them, we should be first to demonstrate them, realizing that the farmer ought to be the first to partake of the produce of the crop, and conduct ourselves honorably and with wisdom toward outsiders for a good witness.