Delighting in God is a central theme in the Christian faith, emphasizing a genuine and heartfelt relationship with the Creator. This delight is characterized by love, reverence, and obedience to God's will. However, Scripture warns of those who, despite outward appearances, harbor hypocrisy in their hearts, ultimately despising the true delight in God.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible frequently contrasts the sincere delight in God with the duplicity of hypocrites. In the Psalms, the psalmist expresses a deep longing and joy in God's presence: "Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4). This delight is not merely an emotional experience but a commitment to live according to God's commandments and to seek His will above all else.

Hypocrisy in the Heart

Hypocrites, as described in Scripture, are those who outwardly perform religious duties but lack genuine devotion. Jesus Himself condemned such behavior, saying, "You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: 'These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me'" (Matthew 15:7-8). The heart of a hypocrite is marked by a disconnect between external actions and internal motives, often driven by self-interest rather than a true love for God.

Despising True Delight

The hypocrite's disdain for genuine delight in God is rooted in their inability to submit fully to His authority. Job 36:13 states, "The godless in heart harbor resentment; even when He binds them, they do not cry for help." This verse highlights the stubbornness and pride that prevent hypocrites from experiencing the joy and peace that come from a sincere relationship with God. Their actions may mimic those of the faithful, but their hearts remain resistant to true transformation.

Consequences of Hypocrisy

The Bible warns of the severe consequences for those who maintain a facade of faith while despising true delight in God. In Matthew 23, Jesus pronounces woes upon the scribes and Pharisees, calling them "whitewashed tombs" (Matthew 23:27) for their outward righteousness that conceals inner corruption. Such hypocrisy not only leads to personal spiritual decay but also misleads others, hindering them from experiencing the fullness of life in God.

Call to Genuine Delight

Believers are called to examine their hearts and ensure that their delight in God is authentic. This involves a continual process of repentance, faith, and obedience. The Apostle Paul encourages believers to "examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves" (2 Corinthians 13:5). True delight in God is marked by a life that reflects His love, mercy, and truth, drawing others to the light of Christ.

In summary, delighting in God is a profound and sincere joy that stands in stark contrast to the hypocrisy that despises it. The Bible calls believers to pursue a genuine relationship with God, free from pretense, and to live in a way that honors Him in both heart and action.Job 27:10
Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call on God?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 6:10
To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot listen: behold, the word of the LORD is to them a reproach; they have no delight in it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Covenanting Adapted to the Moral Constitution of Man.
... professedly the people of God, were but hypocrites, the record is ... to God comes the
habit of delighting in him ... Angels in light, acquiescing in God's law, were at ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vii covenanting adapted to.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... 2] Thus I conclude, and wish it as delighting To thee in ... you fast beware lest you
Look sad, as hypocrites are wont ... lay sore Upon me, I the Lord God did implore ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm

part ii
... Do you despise earthly things, and do you aspire with your whole heart after heavenly ...
726] "The friendship of the world is enmity with God." [727] "For all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... are not; or those that are not, should not despise those that ... are good, so to keep
out of the heart, as much ... safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm

Christ a Complete Saviour:
... he will pay the carnal and hypocrites' home with ... wherefore you that cry Christ, Christ,
delighting yourselves in ... his intercession them that come to God by him. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christ a complete saviour .htm

The Doctrine
... not the right way (which is by seeing thy sins washed away by the blood of Jesus
Christ), it is a question whether ever God will knock at thy heart again or no ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the doctrine.htm

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Delighting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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