A Pharisee stood proud, while a publican whispered, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Which prayer did heaven honor—and why? In this episode of What the Spirit Has Shown You, discover what true worship means: not ritual or pride, but humility, forgiveness, and a heart surrendered to God.

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In this episode of What the Spirit Has Shown You, read by Hector Garcia, a man enters the temple with nothing but words. No riches, no offering—yet his prayer becomes the truest act of worship.

What does it mean to worship in spirit and in truth? John records, “The true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him” (John 4:23, KJV). Psalm 51:17 affirms, “A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Ellen G. White wrote, “The work of God in the heart is to humble the soul and to lead it to repentance” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 640, 1889).

The Pharisee revealed the danger of pride: “God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are” (Luke 18:11, KJV). Proverbs warns, “Pride goeth before destruction” (Proverbs 16:18, KJV). Sister White observed, “His mind is turned away from God to humanity.... This is the secret of his self-satisfaction” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 151, 1900).

But the publican whispered, “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13, KJV). Seven words opened heaven’s door. James declared, “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6, KJV). Sister White explained, “The publican’s prayer was heard because it came from a heart broken by a sense of sin” (Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 104, 1896).

True worship reflects God’s love. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us” (1 John 1:9, KJV). Sister White wrote, “God’s forgiveness is not merely a judicial act, but a gift of His love” (The Desire of Ages, p. 113, 1898). Forgiveness transforms, love renews, and worship flows from a changed heart.

Jesus said, “Every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 18:14, KJV). Paul urged, “In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3, KJV). Sister White concluded, “Humility is the key to true Christian service” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 331, 1911).

The call is clear: “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God” (Romans 12:1, KJV). Sister White affirmed, “True worship is the offering of the whole life to God” (The Ministry of Healing, p. 456, 1905).

The man who entered the temple with only words left with God’s favor. The Pharisee stood proud, but the publican stood justified.

And now you know. The truth the Spirit has made known.

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