Matthew 15:8-9 (This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.)

It is a commendable thing to give honour where it is due, and even more so to give glory to God. However, if one’s life does not reflect the glory of God, the essence of such worship becomes questionable and ultimately vain.

Christians of this generation are not unlike those in the time of the Pharisees. The same patterns of behaviour persist today, and this is rightly described as hypocrisy.

A hypocritical life glorifies God with the mouth while remaining distant from His will in practice. Many churches today follow this same pattern. They offer praise and worship on Sundays, yet their daily lives often contradict the God they profess to serve.

God will not honour those who disregard His Word, nor will He glorify those who exalt themselves above Him.

Many believers are already living double-faced lives. We pray and worship daily, yet the question remains: does Christ truly reflect in our character such that we can genuinely be called Christians?

It is better not to worship God at all than to worship Him in vain. The consequence of vain worship is more severe than that of those who have never known Him.

It would have been better not to have known Him than to know Him and, through one’s conduct, cause unbelievers to despise His name.

Many church leaders who publicly identify with Christ are, in secret, aligned with other powers.

Some choir leaders are entangled with occult practices, while certain prayer leaders have entered into ungodly covenants that bring reproach upon the name of Christ.

Some self-proclaimed prophets operate under the spirit of divination, yet are celebrated as though they represent the power of God. Instead of gathering with Christ, they scatter. Instead of advancing the kingdom of light, they contribute to the expansion of darkness. If one’s actions do not glorify God, they inevitably glorify the devil.

Only God truly knows those who serve Him—appearing as sheep in public, yet revealing a different nature in secret.

A common error is the belief that God can be appeased by service alone. Our works must align with His Word. When they do not, such service becomes empty, and all efforts are rendered meaningless in His sight.

A gospel singer who continually praises God but whose life is not grounded in His Word is not truly offering praise to God. Rather, her life ultimately directs glory elsewhere.

One cannot genuinely worship God while simultaneously promoting what is contrary to His will. The question remains: are you advancing the kingdom of God or strengthening the kingdom of darkness?

Character, not words, reveals true allegiance. Words may deceive, but character does not. “By their fruits you shall know them,” not by their declarations.

Some individuals sit in church during services while their hearts are engaged in spiritual opposition against the kingdom of God. If God were to open our spiritual eyes, many of those we highly esteem in church would become a source of deep concern.

There was a man who was granted insight into the spiritual realm. While serving as an usher in church, he saw a woman seated at the front with a large head covering. In the spirit, she was positioned at the altar, conducting demonic activities during the service.

With boldness, the man used a broom to symbolically remove her from the altar in the spirit. Immediately, a strong wind arose, and she disappeared from that spiritual position.

After the service, she approached him physically and warned him never to do such a thing again.

These are the individuals who hinder the progress of the church and work against its advancement, ultimately drawing it backward in allegiance to their true master.

Though they may profess Jesus as Lord, their true obedience is revealed by whom they consistently serve.

If one is not gathering with Christ, one is scattering. There is no ambiguity in this principle. If one’s conduct does not honour God, then one’s service cannot glorify Him.

If the flesh governs a person, all religious activity becomes futile. Flesh and blood cannot please God.

There is a clear distinction between self-centred living and God-centred living.

Jesus Christ did not promote Himself. Everything He said and did pointed to the Father and advanced the kingdom of God. “Whatever My Father is doing, I am doing.”

Any message that centres on self does not glorify God. Any praise that elevates “me” or “I” places self on the throne and diminishes the place of God.

A lack of discernment has deprived many in the church of sound judgment. People often celebrate material blessings such as cars and houses, while neglecting the greater question of whether their lives truly reflect God’s will and image.

Some messages do not originate from the throne of grace. They arise from the flesh and from the strongholds of the enemy.

Until the strongholds of darkness are broken and Christ is fully enthroned in one’s life, true worship as God requires cannot be achieved.

Anyone who places God and the flesh on equal footing is living in hypocrisy. Such a person may honour God with their lips, but their heart remains distant from Him.

If God were to reward His servants according to their works, each person would receive according to what they have sown. Those who sow to the flesh will reap destruction, but those who sow to the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Prayer: My Father and my God, reveal yourself to me to amend my life according to your will and purpose in Jesus’ name, amen