John 4:23
But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
What we refer to here as Samaritan Worship, is the brand of spirituality reflected in the life of the Samaritan Woman before her conversion. We can only consider one example today.
Samaritan worship is hypocritical.
Remember that our sister initially had a spirituality that allowed her to worship God without changing her lifestyle. It is a religion without righteousness, faith without fidelity and heaven without holiness. Thankfully, she had a life-changing encounter with the living God!
Beloved, let us not kid ourselves: it’s very easy for “good” Christians to become hypocrites. We all can easily be “Samaritan” unwittingly. Our awareness of the trap of hypocrisy will help us avert it through the Holy Spirit’s empowerment.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness (Mat 23:37-28).
Beloved, the trouble with a hypocritical faith is that it is quite convincing and impressive externally. Such a piety says the right things, but thinks otherwise. God is not interested in people who honour Him with their lips when their hearts are far from Him (Mark 7:6). Our walk and our talk must match. Our beliefs and our behaviour must concur. Let us confess and reject every trace of Samaritan hypocrisy in our hearts and lives today.
Pastor Josh