The Pharisees

 

I may add to this later but for now I will say this: When I speak of the Pharisees as that applies to modern day people, I am speaking of people who for a moment, or moments, possess the qualities (even if just a little) of a Pharisee. It can be a person who slips into thinking of himself as above others or someone who makes decisions based upon rules without walking by the Spirit, etc.

 

Many times in the Bible there are verses that say the opposite of other verses. In the Bible, God says go and God says stop. If someone says well the Bible says God said “go” he is right but to then say that means you must “go” is wrong because He also said “stop.” This is how people who are Pharisees for a moment become that way. They misapply scripture by following words instead of Jesus speaking from behind the words. They incorrectly apply scripture. They do not hear Jesus because they already know the truth (so they think). This happens to most all of us on occasions. It is not something that I apply to certain people. The more you do this though the more moments you will be a Pharisee (as I use the term).

 

Jesus said in, John 5:39-40,  39 "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; 40 and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.

 

Jesus is saying that these people miss Him by finding what they are looking for in the Bible. Sure, you can prove to yourself, and many people sometimes, just about anything if you pick the right scripture. But, that does not mean you heard the Lord speak or that you are right. It’s just a preponderance of the evidence type walk; putting things together incorrectly. When you do that it’s not a walk with the Lord. If you want to know what Jesus says you have to hear Him through the scripture or you’re just doing things on your own, like the Pharisees did. When you do that you can get it entirely wrong too... and cause pain for people and tear down when you should build up and build up when you should tear down.

 

Again,  people are Pharisees when they fit the criteria for a time frame. Realize that the Pharisees are still alive in that way as people become like them, for moments in time.

 

 

in Christ,

 

Rob Norman

 

 

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