“Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil” Ecclesiastes 5:1

I believe a modern paraphrase might be, “Check yourself as you go to church to make sure that you actually worship God rather than casually sin in His presence”.

As I attend worship, my fellow-worshipers do me so much good as I observe them respecting God and His people in the worship assembly. Reverently (though not stiffly) and respectfully (though not with empty emotion) they join in the singing with melody in their hearts and teach and admonish myself and others with their voices. Their heads and hearts as well are bowed to God in humble prayer. Their ears are attentive to the teaching and preaching of the holy word. They give themselves fully to recalling Jesus’ extreme sacrifice made to save us from the fires of hell and they deliberately give from their prosperity as they have purposed and planned.

It troubles me, however, when I see others who seem to think they honor God simply with their presence. No song comes from their lips. No praise is heard from them. Reverence does not appear to be a priority. Often they are visiting with others who’ve gathered seemingly without any regard for what is going on around them. The same behavior in a theatre would likely get them thrown out.

My point is to warn any reader who may find his or her attitude and behavior in worship so described.

If God is present anywhere at any time on the earth would it not be in the assembly of His children who’ve come to worship and praise Him and to build each other up? Who would come where God has come and behave so carelessly, so thoughtlessly?

As Solomon warns I also seek to warn, “do not offer the sacrifice of fools” because the wise king later asks, “Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands?’, 5:6.