Removing the Deadly Leaven: The Pharisee in us All | Part C

The King James Version (KJV) is mostly used in these lessons. Click here to access the KJV online.

(21) A Pharisee thinks holiness is in the outward appearance. Do you seek attention by the clothes you wear? ...or are you well pleased to wear "the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of Yahuwah of great price"? (1 Peter 3:4)

But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments. (Matthew 23:5)

(22) A Pharisee covets exalted positions and places of honor. Do you covet the title of pastor, teacher, preacher, priest, leader, donor, etc.? Do you demand recognition for your contributions to Yahuwah's cause? Do you delight to see your name or picture in headlines and bibliographies?

And [they] love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. (Matthew 23:6-7)

(23) A Pharisee takes advantage of the poor. This is a grave sin in the sight of Heaven, for "he that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor." (Proverbs 14:31)

(24) A Pharisee makes long prayers in public to be esteemed by men.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. (Matthew 23:14)

(25) A Pharisee corrupts others. Are you unwavering in your commitment to Yahuwah and to the pursuit of His righteousness? ...or do you inadvertently muddy others' perceptions of Yahuwah's standards through an example of lukewarm behavior?

(26) A Pharisee makes people feel they are born again when they are not. Do you tell people that they are bound for Heaven, while they are yet unrepentant? We must preach the gospel in its entirety if we are to have true conversions. Two things we must do to be saved: (1) Repent and turn away from all sin; (2) Trust in Yahushua and in the merits of His sacrifice. (Once a person understands the fearful consequences of transgressing Yahuwah's Law, the Ten Commandments, they will abhor sin and cling to the Saviour. Thus, we must give people a right understanding of Yahuwah's Law if we are to have true conversions. Many today are being led astray by the modern pseudo-gospel.)

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. (Matthew 23:15)

(27) A Pharisee interprets Scripture in shallowness, without understanding, and without the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. A Pharisee will twist the Scriptures to agree with his desired interpretation. Do you accept Scripture for what it says? ...or do you seek an interpretation that agrees with your presuppositions and traditions?

Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of Yahuwah, and by him that sitteth thereon. (Matthew 23:16-22)

And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (John 5:37-39)

(28) A Pharisee is a stickler for the letter of the law, but acts contrary to the spirit of the law. He focuses on the minor points, while neglecting the major ones.