Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation. Luke 20:45-47

You often hear people say the phrase “You are a Pharisee” or “Don’t be a legalist” they are often referring to the religious leaders of the New Testament. These were men who devoted their whole lives to studying scriptures and training to be High Priests, yet they were some of the most wicked people on the planet. How and why did this happen? Because as Jesus said “They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (Matthew 15:8) They were hypocrites, they never truly loved God they loved the thought of God

Reading your Bible and going to Church are great things, but they mean nothing if your heart is still hardened. This is why Jesus said “Unless you are Born Again, you will not see the Kingdom of Heaven” (John 3:3) You can memorize scripture and do religious practices but do you truly love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? This is why James said “Faith without works is dead” (James 2) you can pretend to be a Christian, but what fruit are you producing? Jesus said “We will be known by our fruit” (Matthew 7) Often times your actions speak louder than your words

The religious leaders didn’t really love God, they loved the power, they loved the money, they loved the prestige that came with being a High Priest. They abused their authority, they preyed on the weak, they were wolves in sheeps clothing. We see this alot today in the Church also, many religious leaders falling into sin and being total hypocrites. Jesus said “Beware of the scribes”, this was a shocking message to his audience, they all respected and honored their authority. However these were the same men who killed the Son of God, so much for being righteous

So what does this all mean? Well first off , don’t throw the baby out with the bath water. Just because there were corrupted leaders back then and today doesn’t mean everyone was or is corrupted. We still have Godly leaders in the Church today and there were some good Pharisees during Jesus times also. We just need to make sure what they are doing and saying is Biblical and not contrary to Gods nature and Law

Most important is our own self reflection, make sure that we ourselves are not hypocrites. If you spend any time on social media , you will run into alot of “Pharisees” , don’t be like these people, they are only bringing condemnation on themselves. Everything you do, do it all for the Glory of God and worship Him in Spirit and Truth, Amen