He teaches God's way to keep the crowd pleased

He teaches God's way by following tradition alone

He teaches God's way for his own advantage

He does not let anyone's opinion steer him

He gives more weight to people with status

He changes his message to fit the listener

Tell the truth and treat people by character, not rank

Adjust your words to win approval from important people

Decide from first impressions so you can move on quickly

Avoid hard truth so no one feels challenged

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, you are true, and I need your true way in my life. I admit that I have sinned and tried to live by appearances and approval. I cannot save myself. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and confess you as my Lord and Savior. Lead me in God's way and make my life honest before you. Amen.

Come to the True One

Lord, revive your Church to teach your way truthfully, to refuse favoritism, and to stop caring more about human approval than your heart. Make us steady, humble, and fair toward every person, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Revive Your People in Truth

Father, thank you for the truth of Jesus, for his steady teaching, and for the way he sees people beyond outward appearance. Thank you that your truth is not bent by pressure or status.

Thank You for Truth Without Favoritism

Father, forgive me for the times I shape my words to gain approval, favor the impressive, or hide truth to avoid discomfort. Give me a clean heart and a fair mind, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Forgive My Need to Impress

Pray by naming one place where you are tempted to soften or bend the truth, then ask God for courage to speak clearly, kindly, and without fear of people's opinions.

Pray for Courage to Speak Plainly

Pray for pastors, teachers, parents, and leaders to teach God's way faithfully, to resist favoritism, and to treat every person with equal dignity before God.

For Teachers Who Walk in Truth

καὶ{KE###KEH###And} ἀποστέλλουσιν{a-po-STEL-loo-sin###ah-poh-STEHL-loo-seen###they send} αὐτῷ{af-TO###ahf-TOH###to him} τοὺς{TOOS###TOOS###the} μαθητὰς{ma-thee-TAS###mah-thee-TAHS###disciples} αὐτῶν{af-TON###ahf-TOHN###their} μετὰ{me-TA###meh-TAH###with} τῶν{TON###TOHN###(the)} Ἡρῳδιανῶν{hee-ro-di-a-NON###hee-roh-dee-ah-NOHN###Herodians} ⸀λέγοντες·{LE-gon-tes###LEH-gohn-tehs###saying} Διδάσκαλε,{di-DAS-ka-le###dee-DAHS-kah-leh###Teacher} οἴδαμεν{EE-da-men###EE-dah-mehn###we know} ὅτι{HO-ti###HOH-tee###that} ἀληθὴς{a-lee-THEES###ah-lee-THEES###true} εἶ{EE###EE###you are} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} τὴν{TEEN###TEEN###the} ὁδὸν{ho-DON###hoh-DOHN###way of} τοῦ{TOO###TOO###(the)} θεοῦ{the-OO###theh-OO###God} ἐν{en###ehn###in} ἀληθείᾳ{a-lee-THEE-a###ah-lee-THEE-ah###truth} διδάσκεις,{di-DAS-kees###dee-DAHS-kees###you teach} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} οὐ{oo###oo###not} μέλει{ME-lee###MEH-lee###matters} σοι{see###see###to you} περὶ{pe-REE###peh-REE###about} οὐδενός,{oo-de-NOS###oo-deh-NOHS###no one} οὐ{oo###oo###not} γὰρ{GAR###GAHR###for} βλέπεις{VLE-pees###VLEH-pees###you look} εἰς{ees###ees###at} πρόσωπον{PRO-so-pon###PROH-soh-pohn###face of} ἀνθρώπων·{an-THRO-pon###ahn-THROH-pohn###people}

Matthew 22:16 — Audio GuideTAB

More on this verse