How can we ensure our worship aligns with God's will, as seen in Jeremiah 32:35? The Problem Exposed in Jeremiah 32:35 “They built the high places of Baal in the Valley of Hinnom to cause their sons and daughters to pass through the fire to Molech—which I never commanded them, nor had it ever entered My mind that they should commit such abominations—and so cause Judah to sin.” Why This Matters • God expressly states that the worship practices of Judah were never commanded by Him. • Their so-called “worship” contradicted His revealed character and commands, turning devotion into sin. • The verse proves that worship pleasing to God must come from His Word, not human invention. God’s Unchanging Standard for Worship • Deuteronomy 12:31-32: “You must not worship the LORD your God in their way…Everything I command you, you must be careful to observe; you must not add or subtract anything.” • John 4:23-24: We worship “in spirit and truth,” aligning the heart (spirit) with revealed truth (Scripture). • Hebrews 12:28-29: “Let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Principles for Aligning Worship with God’s Will 1. Root worship in Scripture alone – If God has not commanded it, we must not claim it honors Him. 2. Guard against cultural syncretism – Judah blended Baal and Molech practices with temple worship; we must resist similar mixtures. 3. Pursue holiness alongside praise – Sacrificing children was an extreme evil, yet any unrepentant sin distorts worship (Isaiah 1:13-17). 4. Keep Christ central – All true worship exalts the finished work of Jesus (Colossians 1:18). 5. Offer our bodies as living sacrifices – Romans 12:1-2 ties daily obedience to “spiritual act of worship.” Practical Checks for Today • Content Check: Do our songs, sermons, and prayers line up with clear biblical truth? • Motive Check: Are we seeking God’s glory or personal experience? (1 Corinthians 10:31) • Lifestyle Check: Monday-through-Saturday holiness must match Sunday worship. • Leadership Check: Are pastors and worship teams subject to Scripture, or to trends? • Fruit Check: Does our worship produce greater love for God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39)? Encouragement to Stay Faithful • God never changes (Malachi 3:6). His Word gives us everything needed to worship Him rightly. • When we ground our worship in His commands, we avoid the tragedy of Jeremiah 32:35 and enjoy the blessing of Psalm 22:3—that God “inhabits the praises” of His people. |
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