We wake up on Sunday morning, take a shower, put on our church clothes, and arrive at church. However, the way we dress and the titles we hold do not make us disciples of Christ. A disciple is someone who follows, learns from, and imitates the one they are following, applying everything they observe.
The Pharisees during Jesus’ time were the religious leaders who taught and guided the people toward God. Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence” (Matthew 23:25). They wore the right clothing, played the part, and held titles, but Jesus called them “whitewashed tombs” (Matthew 23:27). In other words, what they portrayed on the outside did not reflect their inner reality. Everything might appear clean externally, but at their core, they were filled with decay.
James 1:19-27 explains that those who hear the word but do not act on it deceive themselves. This chapter emphasizes that true action begins in the heart and is expressed through deeds motivated by genuine intent, not just lip service. I remember a pastor once asking whether it’s better to be in service, hands raised high during worship, while our hearts remain distant from God, or to come to the altar and bow low in humility before Him while our hearts are exalted praising self. All these actions may have the appearance of godliness, but true godliness is a matter of the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
So how can we understand our own hearts and discern where others stand? Consider Matthew 15:18-20: “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
What is coming out of your mouth? What is being expressed by others as they wear their Christian t-shirts and Sunday best?
This reflection is of utmost importance and serves as a sobering reminder of our lives. I’ll close with this verse to ponder:
Matthew 12:36-37: “I tell you, on the day of judgment, people will give account for every careless word they speak. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned.”
My words condemning me is quit frightening. I persecuted Christians verbally when I was younger. I also was brought up in NY and have a sarcastic and witty since of humor. I like to make people laugh and often overstep at the cost of others to do so.
I know I’ve made improvements in this area of my life, but I still have a long way to go. Even though I may not speak like I used to, the thoughts are still there.
Lord, forgive me for the careless words I have spoken. Help me to be quick to listen and slow to speak.
Let me continue to make people laugh, but not at the expense of others (unless they are…. never mind …. I’ll bite my tounge).
My father is abusive. As a child I watched him treat my mom in such a way that no one should be treated. He has a way of pushing buttons. The more I am around him the more I become. Like a poison…
James 3:5-8:
“Even so, the tongue is a small member, but it boasts great things. See how great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! The tongue is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, reptile and sea creature is tamed and has been tamed by humankind. But no human being can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord, and with it we curse mankind, who are made in the image of God. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”
I have definitely caught myself loosing focus on God at times while striving to be effective in ministry. Paul warned of this when he wrote, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 ESV. It’s so easy to slip into a humanistic mindset while serving and loose focus on who we are really there to serve.
I pray that God will stop me and remind me what church and mission work is all about when I start loosing focus and joy. I pray that He will lead me to serve Him in the ways and places that He desires, and that He will give me the courage to say no to the positions where He doesn’t want me.