Are You a Pharisee?

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence… So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” Matthew 23:25, 28 ESV 

Outward appearance can be misleading and deceiving. The religious people of Jesus’ day were not all that they had projected themselves to be. Jesus confronted their hypocrisy with strong words and was met with strong opposition. Unfortunately hypocrisy is prevalent today in the church world. A Barna study revealed that 51% of North American Christians polled possess attitudes and actions that are more like the Pharisees than they are like Christ. According to the study, only 14% of Christian’s surveyed reflected attitudes and actions that better resembled the attitudes and actions of Christ. What’s sad is that the attitudes of most Christians were described as self-righteous and hypocritical. It’s imperative that we examine our own lives realizing our attitudes and actions are still a work in progress.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Thank you Lord Jesus for revealing to us attitudes and actions in our lives that are more like the Pharisees than they are like you. Forgive us for times we have failed to accurately represent you. Help us to be a faithful witness to reveal your true character that others may come to know you.

God bless,

Pastor Matt