What steps can we take to ensure our worship remains pure and God-centered? Seeing the Danger in Ezekiel 8:13 “Again, He said to me, ‘You will see them committing even greater abominations.’ ” (Ezekiel 8:13) • God shows Ezekiel the escalating idolatry inside the temple. • Small compromises had opened the door to “greater abominations.” • The warning: if we tolerate impurity, corruption in worship will only deepen. Where Impurity Begins • Hidden idols of the heart (Ezekiel 14:3). • Blending God’s truth with cultural trends (2 Kings 17:33). • Forgetting God’s holiness (Psalm 99:3). • Pride that seeks self-promotion rather than God-exaltation (Isaiah 14:13-14). Steps to Keep Worship Pure and God-Centered • Examine ourselves regularly – “Search me, O God, and know my heart” (Psalm 139:23-24). – Ask the Spirit to expose any creeping idol or false motive. • Remove every idol, even the “respectable” ones – Tear down what competes for affection: entertainment, success, traditions (1 John 5:21). • Align every song, prayer, and practice with Scripture – “All Scripture is God-breathed… so that the man of God may be complete” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). – If it contradicts the Word, it cannot remain in our worship. • Keep Christ at the center – “In Him all things hold together… so that He might have the supremacy” (Colossians 1:17-18). – Focus on His person, cross, resurrection, and coming reign. • Cultivate reverent awe – “Let us offer to God acceptable worship with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29). – Avoid flippancy; approach Him as both Father and King. • Offer whole-life worship, not just Sunday moments – “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). – Integrity Monday–Saturday protects authenticity on Sunday. • Guard heart and mind – “Above all else, guard your heart” (Proverbs 4:23). – Fill thoughts with what is true, honorable, pure (Philippians 4:8). • Maintain accountability – Elders and fellow believers help correct drift (Hebrews 3:13). – Transparent leadership prevents hidden sins like those in Ezekiel’s vision. • Practice continual repentance – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive” (1 John 1:9). – Swift repentance keeps worship uncluttered by guilt and hypocrisy. Keeping Scripture Central in Corporate Gatherings • Read it publicly (1 Timothy 4:13). • Explain it clearly (Nehemiah 8:8). • Sing it back to God (Colossians 3:16). • Pray it over one another (Acts 4:24-30). The Result of God-Centered Worship • God is glorified (Revelation 4:11). • Believers are sanctified (John 17:17). • Witness becomes credible (Matthew 5:16). • Joy is multiplied (Psalm 16:11). Stay alert to the progression Ezekiel saw. Root out every lesser affection, and let the majesty of the Lord alone command the stage of our worship. |
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