Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 22:15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They send their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”

Observation: What an excellent witness they gave of the character of Jesus—of his integrity, his truthfulness, and his refusal to be bent by the public! But they were just "buttering Him up." Someday they will have to answer for those words. If they believed their own words, then why did they not listen to Him and do what He said?

Application: When I praise God and speak of His wisdom and truthfulness, do I then ignore what He says and trust my own wisdom? Do I call him LORD then live like his word does not matter? I need to listen to the words of some of the worship songs I sing to the Lord. Am I willing to live out the words I sing?

Prayer: Holy Spirit, remind me of the words I have spoken in praise and the songs I have sung in worship. Remind me especially when I am tempted to live like they are not true. Amen