16 Bible Verses about Formality

These people praise me with their words, said Jehovah, but they never draw near to me in their hearts (deepest thoughts). Their reverence for me comes from the repetitious tradition of men.

Guard your step when you go to the house of God. It is better to go there and listen than to bring the sacrifices fools bring. Fools are not aware that they do evil.

I desire loving-kindness (mercy), not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

With what shall I come before Jehovah? Shall I bow down before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with year old calves? Will Jehovah be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body for my sin?

Do not bring any more worthless grain offerings. Your incense is disgusting to me! So are your New Moon Festivals, your days of worship, and the assemblies you call. I cannot endure your evil assemblies!

Once the priests enter the Holy Place, they must not go out of the Holy Place into the outer courtyard until they leave behind the clothes that they wore as they served. These clothes are holy. The priests must put on other clothes. Then they can go into the area that is for the people.

I hate, I despise (reject) your feasts, and I will take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Yes, even if you offer me your burnt offerings and meal offerings, I will not accept them. Neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. Take the noise of your songs away from me! I will not listen to the melody of your harps.

You do not desire sacrifice. Otherwise, I would offer one to you. You are not pleased with burnt offerings. The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. O God, you do not despise a broken and sorrowful (contrite) heart.

When these men left, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John. What did you go into the wilderness to find? Did you look for a reed shaken by the wind? What did you expect to see, a man clothed in fancy clothes? Those who wear fancy clothes are in king's houses. Did you go to see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet!

Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem came to Jesus. They questioned him: Why do your disciples go against the teaching of the fathers? They eat food with unwashed hands.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy and faith. You should do both and leave nothing undone.

Now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and poor fundamental things? Do you want to slave for them all over again? You observe days and months, seasons and years. I fear for you, that I have labored for you to no purpose (and failed).

If you died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances:

Know this also that in the last days perilous (dangerous) times will come. For men will be lovers of their own selves, covetous (lovers of money), arrogant, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful (ungrateful), unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, despisers of those who are good,read more.
traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying its power. Stay away from people like this!

If you are a Jew in name and are resting on the law and taking glory in God, you know his will. You approve the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law. And you have confidence that you are a leader of the blind, a light to those in darkness.read more.
You are an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and of truth in the law. You then who teach another, do you teach yourself? You who preach not to steal, do you steal? You who say man should not commit adultery do you commit adultery? You who abhors idols do you rob temples? You who boast in the law do you by transgression of the law dishonor God? The name of God is blasphemed on your account among the nations, just as it is written. (Ezekiel 36:20, 21) Circumcision is a benefit if you obey the law. But if you are a transgressor of the law your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. If therefore someone not circumcised obeys the requirements of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be considered circumcision? The uncircumcised person is by nature, fulfilling the law. He will judge you because you transgress the law with your written code and circumcision. He is not a Jew who is one on the outside. Neither is circumcision that which is on the outside in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is so on the inside with circumcision of the heart, in spirit, not in letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

I might have confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinks to have confidence in the flesh, I have more! I was circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; as touching zeal, persecuting the church; as touching the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.read more.
Things that offered gain to me I count a loss for Christ.