Is it a Match?
"But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. Matthew 5:37 (NKJV)
What sobering words from Jesus! You don't have to be a Bible scholar to figure out that the Lord puts a huge premium on our words being an accurate reflection of our intentions. He wants us to mean what we say and say what we mean.
Let's carry that same truth over to the realm of worship. When it comes to the words coming out of our mouths as we worship Him, He wants them to match what's really in our heart. Jesus verbalized this expectation when He addressed the Pharisees of His day:
These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. (Matthew 15:8 NKJV)
It's easy for us to walk into church and sing the words we read in the hymnal or see on the screen. We get swept up in the melodies and sing phrases like "I surrender all" and "Have all of me" ... sometimes without even realizing what we are saying.
Take some time to reflect on what you're singing this week at church. Do the words on your lips reflect the truth of your heart? Jesus doesn't desire mere words; He wants the devotion of our hearts! Again, do they match? Is your "yes" really a "yes," and is your "no" really a "no"?
The next time you sing a worship song, stop and think about the lyrics. Are you in a place where you can sing that phrase with truthfulness? If not, stop singing and ask God for an attitude that is an honest reflection of the words. Then you'll be able to worship Him not only with your lips but with all of your heart.
-Will Doggett
Worship Leader, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale
Think about it...
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?
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