Are You for Real?

Have you ever listened to a conversation where something amazing was said and the listener asked "are you for REAL?" Well, I want to take that statement and use it as the title of this blog, which perfectly fits what is taking place in Ezekiel 14.

The chapter opens with the elders, or those having great authority, came and "sat before" the prophet Ezekiel. The word "sat" is referencing a longer meeting as if they are awaiting something and not just a brief visit. Ezekiel garnered the reputation as having the words of the Lord, so these folks wanted to see what God would tell them through him.

We should ask these elders -- "are you for REAL" -- because they certainly were not. Verse 3 says that "these men have set up their idols in their hearts." So, these elders came before the prophet of God awaiting some word from the Lord; however, they were not serious. Instead of loving God with all of their hearts, they had created idols that suited their fancies. Their presence with the prophet was a farce, and God knew that as indicated by the close of verse 3 when God asks "Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them?"

Psalm 66:18 says: "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." By having idols in their heart, these elders violated the first two of the Ten Commandments as stated in Exodus 20:3-4 -- "You shall have no others gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image." Once again, verse 3 reveals the fact that God knew their sin when He said that these idols "cause them to stumble into iniquity." While we may believe that we can hide our sin from friends, family, or others, never forget that God knows the heart!

So, why pick these 3 verses to examine? Simply put, this exact situation repeats itself in Christianity today. People are not "for real" in that they are hiding sin in their lives but still expect God to hear them. We, myself included, rationalize that a small sin, like a little white lie, is really of no consequence; so we approach God boldly and not humbly. The issue with this rationalization is found in Psalm 66:18 -- it says "iniquity" not big iniquity. The fact that we try to rationalize the presence of sin in our heart as we approach the Almighty reveals a serious flaw in our knowledge of God. We must view Him as a holy God first that abhors sin of any kind and He does not discriminate whether it is big or small.

As a question for you -- are you "for real" when it comes to God? Do you try to rationalize your standing before Him or fall in humility at His majesty? God must be the most important part of your life.