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

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

(39) A Pharisee is puffed up with pride and does not consider the feelings of others. Are you always, and in all circumstances, mindful of the feelings of others? Do you "rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep"? (Romans 12:15)

Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, Yahuwah, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. (Luke 18:10-11)

(40) A Pharisee boasts about his discipline, achievements, and practices. Do you pride yourself in your diet or discipline? Do you look down upon those whose practices differ from yours?

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, Yahuwah, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. (Luke 18:11-12)

(41) A Pharisee accuses others.

Yahushua went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Yahushua stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Yahushua was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Yahushua had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Master. And Yahushua said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (John 8:1-11)

(42) A Pharisee imagines Yahuwah is their father, while their father is really the devil.

Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even Yahuwah. Yahushua said unto them, If Yahuwah were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from Yahuwah; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:41-44)

(43) A Pharisee is a liar and murderer. Do you justify dishonesty or tell "white lies"? Do you harbor a spirit of anger? "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment..." (Matthew 5:21-22)

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44)

(44) A Pharisee derides those who will not listen to them. Do you hold in contempt those who do not agree with all of your interpretations of Scripture? Do you deride those who do not see everything the way that you do?

Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give Yahuwah the praise: we know that this man [Yahushua ] is a sinner. He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. . . . If this man were not of Yahuwah, he could do nothing. They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. (John 9:24-25, 33-34)

(45) A Pharisee is jealous of those who can perform miracles that they cannot. Are you jealous of those who have different talents or different gifts of the Spirit than you?

But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Yahushua had done. Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. (John 11:46-47)

(46) A Pharisee judges even pious people for not holding to their standard of feast/festival observance. Do you look down upon those who have a different understanding of how the Sabbaths and feast days are to be calculated or observed?

Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of Yahuwah, because he keepeth not the Sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. (John 9:16)

(47) A Pharisee is a soul-destroyer, not a soul-winner. Are you actively seeking to win souls? ...or are you leading people astray? Are you living and sharing the fullness of the Gospel message? (See commentary on #26 above.)

But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. (Matthew 23:13)

(48) A Pharisee has no concern for lost sinners. Do you sigh and cry over the abominations that are daily being committed all around you. Does your heart cry out for those who are spiritually perishing? Is winning souls at the top of your "to do" list every single day? If not, you need to do some serious heart searching. "Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you're not saved yourself, be sure of that!" (C.H. Spurgeon) The Saviour's call is to, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19) His command to us is "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in My Name: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you..." (Matthew 28:20) We are to be His witnesses "unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8) "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise." (Proverbs 11:30)

Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived? Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him? But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed. (John7:47-49)

(49) A Pharisee values tradition more than Yahuwah's word. Are you willing to discard every doctrine and practice that does not agree with Scripture (regardless of its age or popularity)? Would you step free of error and go it alone if none of your friends or family went with you? Tradition is a major stumbling block for many, as they prefer unification by error over division by truth. Today, many professed Christians are clinging to Christmas, Easter, and Sunday worship, not because it is Biblical, but because they cherish their traditions more than the Word of Yahuwah.

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of Yahuwah, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of Yahuwah, that ye may keep your own tradition. (Mark 7:5-9)

(50) A Pharisee justifies himself before men. A truly converted individual will always justify Yahuwah and agree with Scripture's declaration of his true condition. A truly converted individual will humbly acknowledge their faults, and will own up to their mistakes. "Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, Yahuwah resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." (James 4:6) Do you humbly acknowledge your mistakes? ...or do you lash out at those who offer you criticism? Do you acknowledge your faults? ...or do you seek to shift the blame to others? Do you humbly acknowledge that you are spiritually bankrupt and in need of a Saviour? ...or do you seek to justify yourself?

And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but Yahuwah knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of Yahuwah. (Luke 16:14-15)

50 Characteristics of a Pharisee (A Review)

1. A Pharisee glories in their connection to pious men, but does not have a personal or living connection with Yahuwah. (Matthew 3:9)
2. A Pharisee glories in external righteousness, but neglects true righteousness, which comes from within. (Matthew 5:20)
3. A Pharisee does not mingle with unconverted people. (Matthew 9:11; Luke 7:39)
4. A Pharisee is an ascetic. (Matthew 9:14)
5. A Pharisee is very critical of others in small matters. (Matthew 12:2)
6. A Pharisee focuses on rules to the exclusion of Yahuwah's revealed will. (Matthew 12:9-16)
7. A Pharisee is motivated by jealousy and hatred. (Matthew 12:14)
8. A Pharisee is an accuser and assumes the worst of others. (Matthew 12:24)
9. A Pharisee is careless in their speech. They do not hesitate to speak ill of Yahuwah's faithful, even attributing their righteous acts to the adversary. (Matthew 12:24)
10. A Pharisee neglects his family responsibilities in the name of religion. (Matthew 15:1-6, Timothy 5:8)
11. A Pharisee is easily offended. (Matthew 15:12-14)
12. A Pharisee is spiritually blind. (Matthew 15:14)
13. A Pharisee exalts outward signs above the testimony of Scripture. (Matthew 16:1-4)
14. A Pharisee seeks to catch people in their words. (Matthew 19:3; 22:15-18)
15. A Pharisee is hard-hearted. (Matthew 15:8)
16. A Pharisee cannot appreciate true worship and genuine praise. (Matthew 21:15-16)
17. A Pharisee teaches Yahuwah's law, but does not live it. (Matthew 23:1-3)
18. A Pharisee lays heavy burdens on people. (Matthew 23:4)
19. A Pharisee is a hypocrite. He says, but does not do. (Matthew 23:4)
20. A Pharisee is ostentatious and seeks to be honored by men. (Matthew 23:5)
21. A Pharisee thinks holiness is in the outward appearance. (Matthew 23:5)
22. A Pharisee covets exalted positions and places of honor. (Matthew 23:6-7)
23. A Pharisee takes advantage of the poor. (Matthew 23:14)
24. A Pharisee makes long prayers in public to be esteemed by men. (Matthew 23:14)
25. A Pharisee corrupts others. (Matthew 23:15)
26. A Pharisee makes people feel they are born again when they are not. (Matthew 23:15)
27. A Pharisee interprets Scripture in shallowness, without understanding, and without the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 23:16-22; 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. (Matthew 23:23)
29. A Pharisee neglects justice, mercy, and faith. (Matthew 23:23)
30. A Pharisee meticulously judges others in small issues, while they themselves are guilty of greater offenses. (Matthew 23:24)
31. A Pharisee is more concerned with his outward appearance than with the condition of his heart. (Matthew 23:25-26)
32. A Pharisee is self-righteous and supposes that he would never make the mistakes he claims others have made. (Matthew 23:30)
33. A Pharisee persecutes Yahuwah's prophets. (Matthew 23:33-36)
34. A Pharisee is overly concerned about what others think of them. A Pharisee fears men, but does not fear Yahuwah. (Matthew 21:25-26, 46 )
35. A Pharisee is covetous and loves money. (Luke 16:14)
36. A Pharisee puts his trust in his own works. (Luke 18:9)
37. A Pharisee despises others. (Luke 18:9)
38. A Pharisee considers himself better than others. (Luke 18:9-11)
39. A Pharisee is puffed up with pride and does not consider the feelings of others. (Luke 18:9-11)
40. A Pharisee boasts about his discipline, achievements, and practices. (Luke 18:11-12)
41. A Pharisee accuses others. (John 8:1-11)
42. A Pharisee imagines Yahuwah is their father, while their father is really the devil. (John 8:41-44)
43. A Pharisee is a liar and murderer. (John 8:44)
44. A Pharisee derides those who will not listen to them. (John 9:24-25, 33-34)
45. A Pharisee is jealous of those who can perform miracles that they cannot. (John 11:46-47)
46. A Pharisee judges even pious people for not holding to their standard of feast/festival observance. (John 9:16)
47. A Pharisee is a soul-destroyer, not a soul-winner. (Matthew 23:13)
48. A Pharisee has no concern for lost sinners. (John7:47-49)
49. A Pharisee values tradition more than Yahuwah's word. (Mark 7:5-9)
50. A Pharisee justifies himself before men. (Luke 16:14-15)

Let us all, by Yahuwah's empowering grace, repent of every Pharisaical attitude and attribute, that we may be washed clean of this spiritual leprosy, and that we may eradicate every trace of the Pharisaical leaven from our hearts. Amen.

Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to Yahuwah, But the blameless in their ways are His delight. (Proverbs 11:20)

Now may the Eloah of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Master Yahushua the Anointed. (1 Thess. 5:23)