Pharisee

Pharisee: a member of a Jewish noted for strict observance of rites and ceremonies of the written law and for insistence on the validity of their own oral traditions concerning the law. 

Sometimes, I feel that a lot of conservatives and church goers are behaving like Pharisees. When you are self-righteous and judge everyone even though you claim to be a Christian, it looks to others like you might be behaving like a Pharisee. 

Matthew 5:20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (NIV)

We all fall into a trap of looking down at others, thinking that we are better than others in our walk with God. How easy is it for us to say how another person should make their children behave, the way they should spend their money, which Bible they should be reading, or how they should share their faith.

Luke 12:1 Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. (NIV)

We become hypocritical so easily which then spreads like yeast.  I can attest to how fast yeast spreads. Just recently we were given a mixed batch of dough to make a loaf of homemade bread. It was in a large zip lock bag in which we put that into a 36 quart cooler. About 8 hours later the dough had expanded beyond the limits of the bag and filled the bottom of the cooler. This, by the way, still cooked the same size loaf.

So Jesus is telling us to watch out becoming a hypocrite, which is how He saw the Pharisees. So, as a Christ follower, do we really think that we know better?  We are just lowly men and women who should be concentrating on our own walk with God. Who is to judge another persons walk?

James 4:11-12 Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? (NIV)

Those in a position of influence in a church should be extra cautious. Not just the pastor, but deacons, Sunday school teachers and other ministry leaders. You just never know what you say casually or callously and how that will affect others and their walk with God.  Simple words in an email or spoken in jest can do serious damage to even those that are long time followers of Christ. You may think you are doing this person a favor in telling them they are doing things in error, but this can put doubt into someone’s faith and thus gives Satan a foothold. This is where church membership begins to decline and those on the fence disappear.

Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (NIV)

If you really think that you must tell someone else how to live, you need to pray about it. Then if are convinced you still need to talk to someone then do so as we are instructed in Colossians 3:16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (NIV)

This way it is your heart talking and not your head. Remember, if you think you know everything about the cross, except to stand at the foot of it, then you might be a Pharisee.