Phariseeism in My Heart? March 2 Readings: Leviticus 27, Mark 6:45–7:13, Psalm 31:5–11, Proverbs 6:11–13

Links to March 2 Readings: Leviticus 27, Mark 6:45–7:13, Psalm31:5–11, Proverbs 6:11–13

It is easy for us to smugly condemn the Pharisees and the other religious leaders, looking down on them with a sense of superiority. "I would never be like them." But when I read what Jesus said to and about the Pharisees, I am bothered with what I see. I wonder, sometimes, if there is far too much of the Pharisee in me.

Mark 7:1-13 is one of those passages, especially in verses 6-7.

These people honor Me with their lips,
but their heart is far from Me.
 They worship Me in vain,
teaching as doctrines the commands of men.

How often do I talk about my love for God more than I actually love him?
How many Sundays am I going through the motions of worship without a heart of passion for God?
And how often do I let tradition filter into my doctrine, replacing the powerful word of God with the weak and deceptive word of man?

Lord, I want my heart to be a true as my words. I want my worship to be real and passionate. I want my teaching to be your truth, not mine.