What is a Pharisee?
Have we been so educated on the dangers of being a Pharisee that it is now being used against Bible following Christians? First, let’s talk about what being a Pharisee actually means. The Pharisees were a religious group of leaders during the time of Jesus. They were diligent about following the laws, which are laid out in the first five books of our Bible – Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. These books are referred to as the Torah, which means to teach or instruct. There were actually 613 commandments in these books, not just 10. However, the Pharisees did not just follow the 600+ commandments of the law. Instead, they literally added tons of new commandments in order to clarify the original 613 commandments.
They insisted on the enforcing oral tradition, which was called the Mishnah. Even though the original intent of these additions to the law, were to clarify them, it ended up adding many layers of complicated regulations. The Mishnah was lengthy and complex. You see, the Pharisees took a good thing and twisted it. They took God‘s law that was intended to set apart and protect the Israelites and they put extra laws on top of it.
Though originally the intentions were good, the enemy used it to harden their hearts. The Pharisees became prideful and boastful. As a result, their righteousness became only an act, a big show, for everyone to see but there was no substance behind it. They began to love the response they received –
… And they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.
Matthew 23:6-7
The Pharisees went beyond what God had said. This is legalism.
Jesus Addresses Legalism
Jesus addressed this issue of legalism when He came. He did not stay silent when He saw the Pharisees leading His people astray. In fact, He called them a brood of vipers but before that He addressed their hypocrisy. Here is a piece of what Jesus said in Matthew 23:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”
Matthew 23:27-28
Satan the Deceiver
This was a serious rebuke. Now, imagine if you’re Satan, trying to convince the world to fall away from Jesus after that kind of a rebuke. Everyone knows how strongly Jesus spoke against the Pharisees and legalism. What better way to use that against the people? Tell everyone who’s following the word of God that they’re being legalistic and they shouldn’t have to follow anything because the law no longer exists. But that’s not what the word says. Leaders risk leading many astray by not showing right and wrong according to the Word.
And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”
Matthew 9:35-37
Why would they be sheep without a shepherd if they had religious leaders? Remember how Jesus told Peter to feed His sheep before He ascended to heaven (John 21:17)? In Matthew 24, Jesus talks about the wise and faithful servant (Matt. 24:45). The servant who continues to do the Lords work, is the one feeding His sheep. Jesus didn’t say go out and play with the sheep and anything goes.
Jesus also says we are to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matt. 10:16) but to also stay awake so that we are not deceived (Matt. 14:38). If you think about, what better way to deceive the people than to make them think that if they are following the laws God intended that they also would be labeled legalistic. That way, shepherds would still not be leading the sheep.
We do not have to speak truth in a mean way. Speaking God’s truth is different from judging. Jesus is our model for love and He called the Pharisees a brood of vipers. Don’t take that the wrong way, I would never turn to name calling. My point is, that Jesus called them out and said what they were doing was wrong. And we are called to do the same, in a loving way of course.
Jesus Talks About the Law
When Jesus came in the flesh, He made it clear that He did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:17-19 (see also Deuteronomy 4:2)
In Matthew, chapter 5, Jesus goes further into how the laws are to apply to our heart. Not only did He talk about the laws but He went further into detail. Jesus states that adultery is a sin but then He says that even lusting after someone is sinful (Matt. 5:28). He talks about being wronged by someone, and instead of retaliating to give to them and pray for them (Matt. 5:38-42). He clarifies that murder is a sin but even being angry with your brother qualifies you for judgment (Matt. 5:22). He also talks about how remarriage is classified as adultery (Matt. 5:32). So Jesus didn’t just say these laws were important, in fact, Jesus digs deeper into how important they actually are.
I have to admit these are hard teachings. There are many times I don’t want to give to someone who I don’t think deserves it. I’ve been mad at my siblings many times and felt I was right, not wanting to apologize. I’m also divorced and I don’t like that scripture in Matthew 5. But that does not mean that I can leave it out of the Word or re-interpret it. I have to spend time on it and try to understand God’s perspective on it and lay my own beliefs down. Just because we are no longer under the law doesn’t mean we no longer have to do what is right. If we only do certain things we like we are living under a false doctrine. And we are all warned not to teach, nor listen to, another gospel. This does not mean we are constantly pointing out sin, it just means as a Christ follower, we are to teach the whole truth in love and encourage others to know God’s Word and draw near to Him.
The Same Offense
The Pharisees added to the law which was an offense. But scripture says we are not allowed to add to or take away from the law (Deut. 4:2). If we only bring up things that are generally accepted by the public we are only speaking smooth things as is the warning in Isaiah 30:10. Taking away from the law is the same offense as the Pharisees but on the opposite end.
We can’t pick and choose what we like out of the Bible and leave the rest. It is the whole gospel, not just parts. For example, there are a lot of scriptures that talk about sexual immorality, which includes adultery, so we can’t say love is love while we are in sin, or teach that there is no judgment. That’s false. We must be willing to except the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Galatians 1:8-10
Sadly, for fear of being called legalistic or for fear of what people will say in response to speaking truth, many have stopped talking about sin. People are canceled for standing up for the truth. It takes a lot of courage for a believer to say that a flag with the image of God‘s covenant and promise being used to support sexual immorality goes against God. Sadly, many Christians don’t make the connection that these things could offend God. Mostly because many of us have not been brave enough to speak out for fear of retaliation. Many loving Christians are not trying to offend, but to warn, as we are called to do.
How Do We Respond?
When we remain silent on the issue of the truths of God and what the Bible actually says and it’s warnings, the result is heavy deception. We are the hands and feet of Jesus, we are here to boldly help Him. And how will we answer to our Lord and Savior when He comes. Will we say sorry I didn’t want to offend anyone? Or will we say, Lord I stood in the fire for You, bold, even though afraid, because I love you and you would do the same for me.
Jesus spoke of the physician in Luke 5, which says:
“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
Luke 5:31-32
Jesus didn’t seek out the sick just to hang out with them. He sought them out so they could repent and He could offer forgiveness. But if we, as His servants, seek out the lost but don’t tell the truth, how can they repent and receive forgiveness.
God’s Truth
Speaking God’s truth is LOVE. Just as we would not want our children to do something harmful, like run out into the street or hit others, we guide them, even when it upsets them. We lovingly try to speak truth. Just as being a loving parent looks different than an absent parent, we as the body of Christ will stand out. We are not supposed to look or act like the culture or the world we live in. We are set apart. When the sick come, we should look different from the world we live in.
This should not be a right vs. left issue, but a God issue. He’s our standard. Many are drawn to the right because some are boldly speaking for the Lord, however if they are speaking hate at the same time and saying things like ‘let’s go Brandon’, when we know that stands for something else that is not very nice, don’t be deceived. For we know from our Bibles that:
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
Proverbs 15:2
and
Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
Proverbs 17:5
Let’s not say bad things about people because we are upset. We are called to be set apart. Let’s raise the bar. Let’s make the early church proud. Let us show God’s standard with the light we shine. Let’s talk about the sin and offer a solution – repentance, forgiveness and salvation in Jesus Christ.
So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:14-16
This is why I write and do videos. Because I want to speak truth in love. The Lord has called me to be His voice. My prayer is that all people will be saved.
Last, I ask you to pray for those of us who have chosen to stand and strive to lovingly speak truth in a sinful world. It is a lonely road when many are against you, sometimes even friends and family. Be encouraging to your fellow Christians in this manner instead of tearing them down or telling them to be quiet because it could offend someone. Let us stand in spirit and truth together as Christ’s servants. We have much work to do.
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