This people honoureth me with their lips

Jesus always spoke against the bad practices of the Pharisees and scribes, since these were the kind of leaders who appeared to be very clean on the outside but were spiritually corrupted within. They projected an image of holiness but were inwardly full of pride, arrogance, and deceit. Jesus compared them to whitewashed tombs—beautiful from the outside yet full of deadness on the inside. God does not want us to imitate such behavior. He desires a genuine, full holiness, a holiness that flows from the heart and is not a costume worn to impress others. True holiness is not a performance; it is the result of a transformed heart. God does not want hypocrisy dressed in religious garments that make people believe we are spiritual giants while our inner life is neglected.

Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees:

7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Matthew 15:7-8

At that time, there was a very disturbing situation with these spiritual leaders of Israel. They had great influence, but their hearts were not aligned with God. They elevated human traditions above divine commandments and valued external appearance more than true devotion. Jesus identified them clearly, and He did not remain silent. Whenever He had the opportunity, He confronted them boldly and exposed their false religion. Jesus was not afraid to call things by their name. He understood that hypocrisy among leaders harms the people they guide, misrepresents the character of God, and ultimately destroys spiritual life.

Sadly, today we suffer a very similar situation. There are groups, movements, and even entire congregations where the focus has shifted toward external performance. Some elevate appearance, rituals, titles, or emotional expressions as the main evidence of spirituality, while the biblical principles that give life are diminished or completely forgotten. New doctrines arise that confuse the hearts of believers and lead many away from the simplicity of the gospel. The danger is subtle, because outward religiosity can easily deceive those who do not examine the Scriptures or evaluate the heart.

On the other hand, sometimes we ourselves fall into the mistake of thinking that honoring God is simply about shouting “Hallelujah” loudly or showing an external enthusiasm. But honoring God is much deeper. It is about obeying Him, loving Him, walking in integrity, and allowing His Word to shape our decisions and attitudes. God desires a heart that is near to Him, not just lips that speak beautiful words. The true evidence of devotion is a transformed life. Honoring God is reflected in how we treat others, how we forgive, how we speak, how we work, and how we live daily away from the public eye.

Jesus taught that our faith must be authentic. He desires followers who love God sincerely, not actors who appear holy only when others are watching. The Pharisees considered themselves spiritual experts, but their hearts remained distant. Their devotion was superficial, and their actions showed that they were more interested in human praise than in pleasing God.

So, dear brothers, let us live a life that honors God every second. Let us examine our hearts daily to ensure that our inner life matches our outward expression. May we seek holiness not as a badge of honor but as a response to the grace we have received in Christ. Let us follow the target of the heavenly calling, which is our beloved Lord Jesus Christ. And may our worship be genuine, our obedience sincere, and our devotion constant, so that we may truly reflect the character of the One who saved us.