Don't Be A Pharisee

Steven’s Scribbles
“Don’t Be A Pharisee” 
Matt. 23:1-12


    In my experience, when you’re studying the Bible with someone and you reinforce a biblical concept that they don’t like, you will often be levied with “Isn’t that legalistic, though,” or “Aren’t you doing what the Pharisees were doing.” The short answer is no. The Pharisees are never admonished by Jesus for their legalism. Individuals will point to passages like Luke 11 or Matt 23 to try to proof text the idea, but it is just not there. Listen to the words of Jesus: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.” Jesus specifically commands these Jews to obey what the Pharisees say, what he points out through the entire chapter is that the Pharisees were being hypocritical and not obeying what they were teaching others. Jesus commands the same thing in the Sermon on the Mount, “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:20). He then goes on to give deeper understanding about core Old Testament teachings and once again calls the Pharisees out for their hypocrisy in Matt. 6. Rather than associating the Pharisees with legalism, it would be more accurate to associate them with hypocrisy. So I agree, “Don’t be a Pharisee.” However, understand what that means. I love you all!


In His service,
Steven Hugley