Sincerity in Our Worship

PRAY OVER THIS

“Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, ‘Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?’ She said, ‘Yes, for so much.’ Then Peter said to her, ‘How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.’ Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband.” Acts 5:7-10

 

PONDER THIS

Ananias and Saphira were pretending a devotion to Jesus they did not have. They were hypocrites. It’s easy to point to the finger and say, “It’s too bad they did that.” But have you done the same thing? Have you sung the words in worship such as, “Naught that I have my own I call, I hold it for the giver. My heart, my strength, my life, my all are His, and His forever.” Have you meant it? Have you stood and sung, “All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give?” If we are not sincere about it, we are no better than Ananias and Saphira.

There are some who have sung the hymn “Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.” But we hold it with all our might; it’s pretending. Words are cheap. We must be careful. The root of this sin is pride, and the fruit is pretense.

What are some ways you might be guilty of singing or speaking words of devotion to Jesus you didn’t really mean?

Why is it easier to point the finger at someone else rather than seeing the hypocrisy in our own lives?

PRACTICE THIS

Sing a worship song with a heart of sincerity to God.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers