Ecclesiastes 5

Guard your steps when you go into the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifices of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. (5:1)

Verses like these make me question the popular notion that we should be inviting unsaved people to church. Do we cause them to do evil without their knowledge? Worship is reserved for God’s children, according to Scripture, isn’t it?

But his verse is also a warning to believers. I’m not sure Christians are generally reminded to prepare to meet God in worship. Oh, we’re told to sing, smile, and clap. “Give God a hand.” But I’m pretty sure the Bible declares those things the sacrifices of fools when coming from unrepentant hearts. And Scripture is clear that God does not accept worship from unrepentant hearts, no matter how loud we sing.

So the next time you have the privilege of gathering together with other believers to worship God, guard your steps. Instead of catching up with your friends, take time to sit quietly and allow God to speak to you about your heart’s condition. Confess sin. Surrender to Him. Offer your worship of Him from a cleansed and pure heart. We need to be reminded that if we don’t, according to Scripture, we are doing evil. I’m pretty sure none of us want to offer Him the sacrifices of fools.

He not only deserves our worship, He demands we worship Him according to His rules. I’m just suggesting we guard our steps when we go into His house.