How can we ensure our hearts align with our words in worship? Hearing but Not Doing: Ezekiel’s Exposé Ezekiel 33:31: “My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue unjust gain.” • The people loved the sound of God’s word; they just didn’t let it change them. • Their worship vocabulary was rich, yet their motives were selfish. • The Lord exposes the gap so we can close it. Recognizing the Heart-Word Gap Scripture never glosses over this danger: • Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8—lips near, hearts far. • James 1:22—hearing without doing equals self-deception. • 1 Samuel 16:7—God looks at the heart, not appearances. Identifying the gap is mercy; ignoring it leaves us hollow. Closing the Gap: Aligning Heart and Speech 1. Repent quickly – Psalm 51:17—“a broken and contrite heart” God will not despise. – Admit when we’ve sung truth but lived lies; ask the Spirit to cleanse duplicity. 2. Renew the mind daily – Romans 12:1-2—present bodies as living sacrifices; be transformed by renewed thinking. – Let Scripture shape attitudes before songs ever cross our lips. 3. Pursue integrity in the mundane – Colossians 3:17—do everything “in the name of the Lord Jesus.” – Authentic Sunday worship grows out of Monday obedience. 4. Guard affections – Matthew 6:21—where treasure is, heart follows. – Invest time, attention, and resources in what honors Christ; affection will track with investment. 5. Depend on the Spirit – Ezekiel 36:26-27—new heart, new spirit enable obedience. – Ask the Spirit to make worship more than music—make it life. Practical Habits for Honest Worship • Pre-Service Heart Check: pause, confess, realign motives before singing a note. • Scripture-Fed Songs: choose or seek songs that echo clear biblical truth. • Journal God’s Faithfulness: record answered prayer and daily mercies; gratitude fuels sincere praise. • Serve Someone Quietly Each Week: offers a tangible outlet for love you proclaim aloud. • Accountability: share spiritual goals with a trusted believer who can spot drift. Encouragement for the Journey When words and hearts converge, worship becomes a sweet aroma to God and a testimony to others (John 4:23–24; Philippians 1:10–11). He delights to do the aligning work—our part is humble cooperation, letting belief and behavior sing the same song. |
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