Praise & Pray

The Bible can be uncomfortable to read. A lot of what is in it acts as a plumb line, a measuring stick of sorts that reveals how much more we have to do to live up to God's word. From that perspective, it is understandable why many don't want to spend time with it.

Yet, I thank God that He reveals to redeem. He never highlights our shortcomings to make us feel inadequate. No, He highlights what we need to change so we repent and know He's ready to help us achieve it. At all points, He wants us to know He is by our side and will be the accountability partner we need to become better believers who keep growing and producing for Him.

With this in mind, we turn to Luke 11, where Jesus spoke to the Pharisees. Luke 11:43 - “Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplaces. In Matthew 23, He repeatedly called them hypocrites who performed so that people could notice. Jesus warned the people to obey their teachings without imitating them because they did not practice what they preached (Matthew 23:5).

We, the believers of today, cannot ignore these warnings. How many of us know someone or have been that person Jesus spoke of in Luke 11:43? Maybe we've prided ourselves on our position in church, or because others see us as 'holy'. Maybe our ego was inflated instead of walking in humility, knowing that pride comes before the fall (Proverbs 16:18).

If so, we must reject the arrogance of the Pharisees who thought they were better than others. The Pharisees truly believed they would make it to heaven. They did not realize the reverse would be their portion if they didn't change their ways and apply God's word, without hypocrisy and with the love the Lord expected them to have for others, be they Jew, Samaritan, or Gentile.

All are equal in God's sight. He loves everyone He deemed worthy to create and considers them His workmanship. And He has not called us to be hypercritical of anyone. It is His job to judge, and we must not usurp His authority. Therefore, we must be careful not to follow in the steps of the Pharisees, who looked down on others, thinking they had not attained their level of spiritual maturity. A 'maturity' that God didn't recognize.

We must not think ourselves so great and mighty in the faith, in the word, or even in the Spirit, whereby we allow ourselves to be puffed up. A person can only have what they receive from heaven, so we have no right to feel proud about any accomplishments (John 3:27). Besides, God detests the proud, and this was something these Pharisees, despite their familiarity with the Torah, somehow forgot.

Still, let us be careful how we treat the 'Pharisees' among us. Yes, Jesus was tough on them, but His objective in every interaction was to encourage them to change. He never did this from a place of superiority but always from love. He wanted them not to miss heaven. Therefore, let us honor Christ as we interact with those who might be hypocrites. Allow the Spirit of God, and not our flesh, to lead so we do not fall into sin.

Only God knows whether our assessment of such people is correct, so prayerfully seek His perspective and strategy on how to deal with them. Extend them the compassion, grace, and patience they may fail to give. Apply the humility David used with Saul and Shimei. Tarry in prayer for them instead of gossiping or insulting them. Ask God to transform them, desiring that they make it to heaven as we remain mindful to never become hypocrites ourselves.

As you await fellowship at Noon EST, consider reading the Altar Call below and the following previous P&P messages:

1. God's Understanding leads to Compassion & Favor

2. Packaging

3. Don't cause others to sin

4. Hypocrites

5. Be Compassionate

6. Say No To Factions

7. Are You Hypercritical?

8. Topic: God's Revelation

9. Topic: Humility

10. Topic: Hypocrites & Hypocrisy