Total Pageviews

Friday, September 11, 2015

Behaving as the Pharisees

Matthew 9:11 (HCSB)
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Matthew 12:2 (HCSB)
But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!”

Matthew 15:1-3 (HCSB)
Then Pharisees and scribes came from Jerusalem to Jesus and asked,“Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat!” He answered them, “And why do you break God’s commandment because of your tradition?"
   *****************************************************************************

If you and I don't search our hearts, compare ourselves to God's Word and allow Him to show us who we really are without Christ, we WILL behave as the Pharisees.

The Pharisees were full of pride. They looked at their outward behavior and appearance then compared themselves to others. They truly believed that they were in the "upper class" of religious society. Rather than asking God to search their hearts (Psalm 139:23) they were more worried about what other people were doing wrong. Pride kept the Pharisees in their little cliques because they were "too good" to fellowship with the "tax collectors and sinners". Pride kept them questioning Jesus and His disciples. Pride kept them following tradition rather than the Truth. Pride made them judge other sins as worse than their own. Guess what? Their actions reflected their heart's condition.



And today, pride keeps religious people acting the same way. Some have a tendency to look down on others, thinking their sins aren't as bad. Pride keeps people from bowing down in humble adoration and looking up to Holy God. Pride keeps people following their comfortable cliques and not reaching out to those that may be different. Pride keeps people from forgiving others. Pride keeps people from God's forgiveness that's been extended to ALL repentant sinners, because they think in the end their good will outweigh their bad.



Father God, I pray that I don't ever behave as the Pharisees; prideful, and self-righteous with an attitude of, "Look at me and all I do for God and the church". Our lives are to be lived out as a drink offering. Being poured out for You and others! Holy Spirit, convict me if pride starts to rise up in me so that I may repent. May I never forget where I came from, the pit of selfish pride. Search my heart and show me any offensiveness within me and lead me on Your path. Father, thank You for rescuing me from my sins. I am thankful to be associated with the "tax collectors and sinners", because Jesus, you desire fellowship with people just like me! People willing to see themselves through Your eyes. People willing and humble enough to say, "I have sinned and I still make mistakes, therefore, I need a Savior". Thank You Lord for your grace and mercy. Thank You for calling me to Yourself. Help me now to live for You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen!