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7 Things That Bring Woe

by Rhoda Gayle
written by Rhoda Gayle

Here are the seven things that brought woe to the Pharisees and can bring woe to us.

Woe

Dr. Billy Wilson of World Impact explains the seven things that brought woe to the Pharisees. He also warned everyone to live not like the Pharisees if we want to avoid His wrath. He started his message by defining what “woe” means.

“This word ‘woe’ comes from a word ‘wā’ which means wrath or sorrow,” Dr. Billy said.

7 things

He then referenced Matthew 23: 29-31 to enumerate the things that the Pharisees did that brought wrath and sorrow to them.

  1. “You keep people out of the Kingdom of God and you don’t let them in.”
  2. “You’re aggressive to get others on your side, but then you make them children of hell like you are.”
  3. “You’re blind guides. You have selective obedience and you’re masters of evasion and excuses.”
  4. “They emphasize minors over majors.”
  5. “You clean the outside of the cup but you leave the inside full of garbage.”
  6. “You’re like people that whitewash tombs. You pain the outside of the tomb, you make it beautiful but inside, it’s full of dead man’s bones.”
  7. “You have selective amnesia, you fake it, you’re deceiving yourselves.”

“As we look at the Pharisees, it is the way that we should not live in trying to pursue purity. Hypocrisy takes us away from authenticity, they are contradictory to one another.”

Let us live not like the Pharisees. If we want to live a life that glorifies the Father, we must live in authenticity and pursue purity.

7 Things That Bring Woe | Dr. Billy Wilson

Read also: PURSUING THE LORD AT EVERY AGE 

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Reference: YouTube | GOD TV 

 

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How Did The Pharisees Become Antagonists In The New Testament?

by Christa
written by Christa

We have read about the Pharisees in the New Testament and their antagonism against Jesus and His ministry. But, who are they, and where did they originate?

The Pharisees

If we search on the Pharisee’s origin in the Bible, we can only find few details. There were no specific definitions about the notorious men who watched Jesus’ every move. But, if we look back at the history of Judaism, we will see the importance of the Pharisees and their significant contribution to the faith and culture.

The word ‘Pharisee’ most likely comes from the Hebrew word, ‘prushim,’ which means ‘separated ones.’ It was unclear what the label truly signified. But, according to the ancient Jewish texts, no group identified themselves as Pharisees. Therefore, the name originated with the people outside the group.

Primary Sources

Three primary sources depicted the Pharisees: Josephus, the Jewish-Roman historian, the New Testament, and the rabbinic literature. Josephus viewed the Pharisees from a Greek point of view and thus described them as a school of thought.

Meanwhile, the New Testament portrays them as a powerful religious sect and a political group. Their attempts to influence the government were only to preserve Judaism and not for political power.

Lastly, the rabbinic literature shows the Pharisees as a social movement, changing how the Jews lived. They teach the principle of worship beyond the temple. They believed that Jews were supposed to practice purity rituals not just inside the temple but also outside it.

Separated Ones

Ultimately, Pharisaical practices were adopted when the temple was destroyed in the first century. If there were no Pharisees, Judaism would less likely survive because Jews believed the temple was the center of their faith. When the temple got destroyed, the Pharisees gathered the people in the synagogues to pray and teach Torah. Later on, this group of Jews became the foundation for mainstream Rabbinic Judaism.

Moreover, the Pharisees believed that the Oral Torah was equally authoritative with the written Law. Way back on Mount Sinai, when God gave Moses the Torah, Jews thought that oral instructions were used to interpret the Torah. These were then passed down to sages and experts of the Law, including the Pharisees.

But, modern Christians view them in a negative light. Although, this is not surprising because of their overly legalistic following of the Law. And even in some cases, thwarting the original intention of the commands.

Learning from their history, we can understand why the Pharisees were vigilant and aggressive against Jesus. They were only trying to preserve Judaism as they did years past. Ryan Nelson put it this way, “So perhaps it’s better to think of the Pharisees this way: when Jesus came onto the scene, Israel needed a heart transplant, and these groups were like an overactive immune system, rejecting the very thing they needed to survive.”

Reference: Overview Bible

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Articles

How Did The Pharisees Become Antagonists In The New Testament?

by Christa
written by Christa

We have read about the Pharisees in the New Testament and their antagonism against Jesus and His ministry. But, who are they, and where did they originate?

The Pharisees

If we search on the Pharisee’s origin in the Bible, we can only find few details. There were no specific definitions about the notorious men who watched Jesus’ every move. But, if we look back at the history of Judaism, we will see the importance of the Pharisees and their significant contribution to the faith and culture.

The word ‘Pharisee’ most likely comes from the Hebrew word, ‘prushim,’ which means ‘separated ones.’ It was unclear what the label truly signified. But, according to the ancient Jewish texts, no group identified themselves as Pharisees. Therefore, the name originated with the people outside the group.

Primary Sources

Three primary sources depicted the Pharisees: Josephus, the Jewish-Roman historian, the New Testament, and the rabbinic literature. Josephus viewed the Pharisees from a Greek point of view and thus described them as a school of thought.

Meanwhile, the New Testament portrays them as a powerful religious sect and a political group. Their attempts to influence the government were only to preserve Judaism and not for political power.

Lastly, the rabbinic literature shows the Pharisees as a social movement, changing how the Jews lived. They teach the principle of worship beyond the temple. They believed that Jews were supposed to practice purity rituals not just inside the temple but also outside it.

Separated Ones

Ultimately, Pharisaical practices were adopted when the temple was destroyed in the first century. If there were no Pharisees, Judaism would less likely survive because Jews believed the temple was the center of their faith. When the temple got destroyed, the Pharisees gathered the people in the synagogues to pray and teach Torah. Later on, this group of Jews became the foundation for mainstream Rabbinic Judaism.

Moreover, the Pharisees believed that the Oral Torah was equally authoritative with the written Law. Way back on Mount Sinai, when God gave Moses the Torah, Jews thought that oral instructions were used to interpret the Torah. These were then passed down to sages and experts of the Law, including the Pharisees.

But, modern Christians view them in a negative light. Although, this is not surprising because of their overly legalistic following of the Law. And even in some cases, thwarting the original intention of the commands.

Learning from their history, we can understand why the Pharisees were vigilant and aggressive against Jesus. They were only trying to preserve Judaism as they did years past. Ryan Nelson put it this way, “So perhaps it’s better to think of the Pharisees this way: when Jesus came onto the scene, Israel needed a heart transplant, and these groups were like an overactive immune system, rejecting the very thing they needed to survive.”

Reference: Overview Bible

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Are You Hungry for the Truth?

by Henrietta Decruz
written by Henrietta Decruz

Are you hungry for the Truth and the Word of God? God wants us, His children, to seek Him with all our hearts. He said, “But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.” (Matthew 6:33)

In Amos 5:4 He goes one step further and says, “For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel: Seek Me [inquire for and of Me and require Me as you require food] and you shall live!”

One Gospel Many Versions

The truth is that today there are many versions of the Gospel being taught today. Some focus on the law, others on grace. There are also those who change the interpretation of Bible verses to suit their own philosophies. Some dilute the Word of God so much, their teachings sound like new age religions of the world. Many ‘Christians’ today live contrary to the Gospel and are not hungry for the Truth. Some are ‘namesake’ Christians while some are genuine who uphold God’s standards.

Mark 3:25 says, “And if a house is divided (split into factions and rebelling) against itself, that house will not be able to last.” This could be said about the Body of Christ. They disagree on important doctrines and matters of faith.

Uphold God’s Standards

Jesus said about the Pharisees of His time in Mark 7:8-9, “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions. And He continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!” We need to take God’s Word seriously and seek Him to know what He is saying. If we don’t, we can get carried away by teachings that are contrary to what Jesus said. This is very serious as it can rob us of our place in heaven eternally.

In Matthew 25:12 Jesus says to some believers, “‘I solemnly declare to you, I do not know you [I am not acquainted with you].’ Jesus says, ‘Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name? And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands].'” (Matthew 7:22-23)

A House Divided

It is sad when factions do the opposite of what Jesus taught and war with each other. They bring discredit and tarnish the name of Jesus Who said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44) These fighting ‘believers’ need to learn what God says and make amends with their fellow Christians. God has called us to be peacemakers and work towards unity so that His name is lifted high.

For this reason, it is important that every believer seeks the Lord with all their hearts. In John 10:27, Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” And in Isaiah 54:13, God promises that He Himself will teach His children, “All your [spiritual] children shall be disciples [taught by the Lord and obedient to His will].”

Be Mature Christians, Hungry For Truth

Jesus said, “You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) Imagine standing before God on the Day of Judgment and saying, “Lord I didn’t know!”, or “Lord they didn’t teach me about this!”

This is why it is good to read the Bible. It is good to know for oneself what the Lord has said in His Word. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the Truth so you won’t be ashamed on the day you stand before God.

Hungry: Revere God and Obey Him

Paul says in Philippians 2:12, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” The Amplified Bible gives us the meaning of “fear and trembling” as “self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ.”

Finally, Ephesians 5:27 reminds us that Jesus wants to “present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless].” May we hear and heed what Jesus is saying to us personally and to the churches today.

 

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pharisee
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Self-Examination: 6 Signs You Might Be a Modern Day Pharisee

by Nathan Simpson
written by Nathan Simpson

You Might Be a Modern Day Pharisee

Yes, it’s been a very long time since the Pharisees were plotting against Jesus in Jerusalem, but the Pharisee spirit is still a very relevant topic in the Church today.

While people might not be “Pharisees” anymore, the Pharisee spirit still exists. Sadly, it’s the number one reason why so many people want nothing to do with Jesus or His followers.

Growing up in church, I remember wondering why some people seemed to be living in their own bubbles. I heard the message about Jesus and the way He lived, and I was told that we were supposed to be little versions of Him. So why didn’t the people around me look or sound like Him?

As I got older, I too struggled with the Pharisee spirit in the form of judgment. I was living in my Christian bubble and no “dirty” people were allowed in. Thankfully, a real encounter with Jesus changed that. 

I’m not writing from a place of judgment or accusation. Like I said, I’ve been guilty of this many times before. I’m writing this because I think it’s important that we all take a moment to reflect and ask ourselves if we are being “little Christs” or if we’ve really got it wrong.

6 signs you might be a pharisee:

 

1) Pharisees spend more time focusing on what they hate than what they love.

Because of this spirit, Christians have been made known for what they are against rather than for what they are for. It’s because of them that “evangelical” has come to mean fanatical bigots who have perfected “culture war” tactics.

2) Pharisees zoom in on other’s sin but act as if their own doesn’t exist.

Jesus said that the Pharisees were “white-washed tombs”: beautiful on the outside but dead on the inside. Jesus also said to beware of the yeast (substance) of the Pharisees: hypocrisy. A.W. Tozer put it this way, “A Pharisee is hard on others and easy on himself, but a spiritual man is easy on others and hard on himself.”

3) Pharisees spread accusations against others without ever going to them directly.

The Bible is clear about going to your neighbor and confronting them personally if they have done something wrong. (Matthew 18:15)

Regrettably, “Christian” Pharisees spread poison into the people around them. The tongue is full of deadly poison, and the Pharisee spirit seizes every opportunity to destroy others with their slander.

Pharisees are skilled at making villains out of others and claiming that “God  is on their side.” Honestly, most Pharisees use the word “God” to bring about destruction and to justify their selfish actions.

4) Pharisees are quick to pass judgment.

Pharisees actively seek out people to destroy. They search for faults and weaknesses in others and feed on them.

Pharisees shoot first and ask questions later. This is the exact opposite of what Jesus told us to do. (Matthew 7:1-4)

As E. Stanley Jones rightly pointed out, “The measure of my spirit of criticism is the measure of my distance from Christ.”

5) Pharisees rarely ever admit that they are wrong, and they cannot take correction.

Pharisees are the kind of people who will always have an excuse ready and a blame to pass.

They have no self-awareness. When you live this way, you start to distance yourself from reality.

They love to turn the spotlight on others and never let the light in on themselves.

6) Pharisees stay in their flock.

Birds of a feather stick together, and there’s no way you’ll find a Pharisee around anyone but another Pharisee.

But this makes sense since everyone else is “unrighteous and despicable.”

As much as they try to disguise themselves with a bright and shiny exterior, Pharisees are not happy people.

So what’s the cure?

The only way to get rid of a Pharisee spirit is repentance: A total u-turn of the heart!

  • Begin self-reflection and examination on a daily basis.
  • Measure yourself to the life of Christ, not just in holiness and righteousness, but in love, mercy, selflessness, humility, service, and wisdom.
  • When you see an opportunity to speak into someone’s life, speak into THEIR life; not about them to everyone else.
  • Acknowledge that you cannot read someone’s heart and looks can be deceiving.
  • Ask for forgiveness from the people you have wronged.
  • Accept correction when reprimanded and apply the truth to your life.
  • Be slow to speak and slow to wrath.
  • Remember that it’s okay to mess up sometimes as long as you learn and grow.
  • Most importantly, have a personal relationship with Jesus every day.

 

 

 

 

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