“Then the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, show mercy and compassion everyone to his brother. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart against his brother.’’” (Zechariah 7:8–10, NKJV)

Religion was born in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve sinned, and they sewed fig leaves to hide their nakedness. People have been doing things to cover their guilt and shame ever since. They practice religion without repentance; they “do church” without a sincere heart for God.

The Jews inquired of the priests if they should fast in the summer as they had done while in Babylon. This marked the destruction of Jerusalem and the burning of the temple. But with the temple being rebuilt, was it still necessary to fast?

God responded through Zechariah, “When you fasted and mourned, did you really fast for Me—for Me? And even now in your holy festivals, aren’t you eating and drinking just to please yourselves?” They were adhering to their traditions, but their hearts were far from God.

God deals with us in the realm of reality. He wants no part of a hypocritical religion of works without loving obedience. He calls us to have righteous relationships with Him and with others.

If these Jews wanted to please God, then they should judge fairly, without considering race, status, or gender, and they should show mercy and compassion to each other. They should stop oppressing widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And they should stop scheming against each other. This is the true religion that pleases God: to love others as God loves us and to treat others as we want to be treated. Anything less is hypocrisy.

God cares about our motives and not just about our actions. Fervent lips with an evil heart are offensive; religious works without love are lies. Whatever we do for God or for others must be motivated by genuine love.

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8, ESV)

“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” (James 1:27, NLT)