What Jesus Did! 'You Hypocrites!' — Matthew 15:7-9

Sunday, July 20, 2025

[To the Pharisees and teachers of religious law, Jesus said:] "You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote,
'These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
Their worship is a farce,
for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.'"
— Matthew 15:7-9 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus was sometimes not very subtle. His lack of diplomacy with hypocrisy was founded in the heart of God. In fact, Jesus is very hard on those who pretend to make God first in their lives and then do what they want. He even uses the "h" word (hypocrite) when it is needed!

God cannot stand it when we play like we're devoted to his will and then do what we like, want, or feel more comfortable doing. Only his will is binding. Only his will matters. Our preferences are simply that - our own preferences. They are generally neutral, unless we start replacing God's will with our preferences - or prejudices, traditions, opinions, ... It's easy to honor God with words, but he wants obedience so our character will be conformed to his own. To do less is to do wrong.

Today's Prayer

Holy God, please accept my worship, praise, and thanksgiving from a genuine heart seeking to please you. Please forgive me for my sins and restore in me a holy passion to pursue you, your will, and your character with all of my heart, soul, and might. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matthew 23:1-4
  • Matthew 23:27-28
  • Galatians 2:11-14

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

The White Rose
Article by Bill Sherrill
Why the different color roses? White and red roses mean something special on Mothers' Day.
Respect Your Mother!
Article by Phil Ware
How can we preserve the faith of future generations? Phil Ware goes over the final principle of the seven principles taught to him by his dad, called Daddy Al, and he shares them with his children to leave a lasting legacy of faith.

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 15:7-9 NLT — "You hypocrites!

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, July 20, 2025

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Proverbs 16:20
"Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by F. F. Bosworth:
"Believe your beliefs and doubt your doubts."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'He Rescues Us from Death' (Ps. 68:20)
"Our God is a God who saves! The Sovereign Lord rescues us from death."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Immorality and Greed Keeps You Out of Heaven'
"You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater,..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!