John 4:24 English Standard Version (ESV) God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Jesus rarely invokes the must clause. This is one that is important.

How can we worship in spirit and truth?

When thinking about this, try to remember what Jesus said to the rich man that asked the question, “What must I do to be saved?”

First cleanse our hearts of idol worship. In that man’s case, love of money.

God’s first commandment was that He would not take second place to any other god. A god with the little g is what we love more than God Himself.

Isaiah 44:14-16 English Standard Version

14 He cuts down cedars, or he chooses a cypress tree or an oak and lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a cedar and the rain nourishes it. 15 Then it becomes fuel for a man. He takes a part of it and warms himself; he kindles a fire and bakes bread. Also he makes a god and worships it; he makes it an idol and falls down before it. 16 Half of it he burns in the fire. Over the half he eats meat; he roasts it and is satisfied. Also he warms himself and says, “Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire!”

We become satisfied with our own achievements and the effort itself becomes our god. It is the root of pride. “Look what I created!”

We might not look at it that way but that is how God sees it. Whatever bush we burn is consumed, not so with God.

Worshiping God in spirit and truth warms our hearts because the Word abides in our hearts and His Word will not depart from us.

Genesis 4:7 English Standard Version (ESV) If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”

The first “must” is when God told Cain that he must get a handle on sin or it would control him.

Then Cain killed his brother.