ARE WE PHARISEES?

“For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and teachers of the Law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 6:20

Jesus set a standard for all believers when He spoke the words of the above text. The Pharisees were a sect in Israel and Scribes were the teachers of the Law. They stood against everything that was against the Law and the people respected them for that. However, they never practiced what they taught. They would openly uphold the Law in public, but go against it secretly and in their hearts.

The theme in no way implies that we should join a sect of Pharisees; however, as the context further explains, we must be sure our righteousness is not hypocritical like the Pharisees. Jesus gave us plenty of instructions on the deceitfulness of these men. In Matthew 23:5, Jesus tells us that their outward righteousness was for men’s approval. People respected them as holy men, but inwardly they were full of wickedness, hypocrisy and death (Matthew 23:25).

Jesus clearly warned His disciples to guard themselves against the leaven (hypocrisy) of the Pharisees (Luke 12:1). We must examine ourselves to see if we have any leaven of hypocrisy. Do we pretend to be something or somebody that we are not? Do we do good for men’s approval? A hypocrite makes himself look clean outwardly, but deep within he is vile and unclean. He is generous, caring, and compassionate only that men will praise him. He is ready to do anything to please men, but not God. God rewards generosity, righteousness and compassion, but not if it is at all hypocritical.

When Jesus taught His disciples, He told them that the reward of hypocrites is the praise and favor of men, nothing more. He gave us examples of their action in prayers, fasting and almsgiving. Read also 1 Corinthians 13:11-7.

We are the children of God through the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ and therefore, God’s special treasure. He desires us to worship Him in spirit and in truth; never in lies and deception. Let us uproot all leaven from our hearts and plant the seeds of love by God’s Spirit. We must make a declaration in word and deed to dedicate our all to God. Let us renounce all sin, lies, deceptions, and instead embrace Christ and the knowledge of the truth. If we do, we will surely gain God’s favor.

Samuel Monye - Nigeria