“Son of man, your people talk about you in their houses and whisper about you at the doors. They say to each other, ‘Come on, let’s go hear the prophet tell us what the Lord is saying!’ So my people come pretending to be sincere and sit before you. They listen to your words, but they have no intention of doing what you say. Their mouths are full of lustful words, and their hearts seek only after money. You are very entertaining to them, like someone who sings love songs with a beautiful voice or plays fine music on an instrument. They hear what you say, but they don’t act on it! But when all these terrible things happen to them—as they certainly will—then they will know a prophet has been among them.” [Ezekiel 33.30-33]
How frustrating this must have been for Ezekiel to be told by God that he was entertaining to the people but that they had no intention of doing what he said!
Fast forward to modern times...
How many times have I sat and listened to someone declaring the Word of the LORD simply for some warped form of entertainment with no intention of my heart and my life being changed?
Likewise, how many times has God's Word been declared among people who enjoyed the delivery but couldn't care less about the message?
We must ask ourselves if we are simply participating in "church" for the delivery or the message!
The delivery could include lights, props, smoke, great eloquence and great entertainment value. In fact, the delivery could indeed mask the message. It not only 'could' do this, but it 'has' done this!
Father, please forgive us for pacifying ourselves with the bedazzlement of the delivery of Your Word while failing completely to grasp the message being delivered!
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