Definition: And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Luke 16:15. It's a really important and somewhat challenging passage about how we understand God’s perspective. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that we often try to earn God’s approval by focusing on things that humans think are important – things that we believe will make us look good to others . But, God knows our true hearts and sees what's truly valuable to Him. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And he said unto them…” : This tells us Luke is speaking to a group of people – likely disciples of Jesus. He's giving a serious warning. “…Ye are they which justify yourselves before men…” : This means we’re putting ourselves on the spot and trying to make ourselves seem good to others, even if we don’t truly believe it. We're essentially trying to be admired by people, rather than being true to our own conscience and beliefs. It’s about seeking validation from outside ourselves. “…but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” : This is the core of the message. God knows what's truly important to Him – his perfect and righteous nature. What humans consider “high” or “important” – things like wealth, power, popularity, status – are not valuable to Him. In fact, they’re often seen as wrong or undesirable. “Abomination in the sight of God” means that these things are truly repulsive to God because they are not aligned with His will and purpose. So, what does this mean for us? It's a reminder that: Don't chase validation from others: It’s easy to get caught up in trying to please people or be admired. Focus on being true to yourself and your beliefs. True worth comes from within: God values those who are genuine, honest, and reflect His character. We need to look inward: It's important to examine our own hearts and motivations – what truly matters to us? In essence, the verse is a call to humility and to turn away from trying to be seen as good by others when it comes to matters of faith and spiritual value. --- Would you like me to: Explain this verse in more detail with examples? Discuss what this verse might relate to in the context of the Bible?