Focus – Who is a Pharisee?
Often, we hear the accusation that if anyone exhorts another to keep God’s Commands, he is sometimes accused as being a Christian Pharisee of some sort.
This is far from the Truth.
Ever wondered “WHY” God was angry with the Pharisees?
Please consider ‘briefly’ (with “verses” proving/explaining each ‘claim’ made)
(i) A Pharisee preached “Men’s opinions” instead of “Scripture only” with regards to God
Men’s opinions = Man-made rules = Man-made doctrines and teaching which are “not” found in Holy Scripture
“And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.'” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 15:9)
“and they worship Me in vain, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 7:7)
(ii) A Pharisee has the hypocrisy of not practicing what they preach rightly at times
“…, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 23:3)
(iii) We are supposed to even listen to a Pharisee if they “tell to observe God’s Commands”
Yes, ‘context’:
“tell to observe God’s Commands” = “therefore all that they tell you, do and observe” = when a Pharisee preaches “God’s Commands” instead of “his OWN opinions”
“therefore all that they tell you, do and observe,… .” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 23:3, 1st part)
(iv) A Pharisee trusts in his OWN Righteousness
OWN Righteousness = own thoughts, words and actions thinking that ‘he is good’ in ‘his heart’ (implied) while at the same thinks that those who don’t live in the way he lives is “lower”, despising others too:
“And He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt:” – Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 18:9)
(v) A Pharisee “loves” money
Such a one does ‘God’s Work’ religiously with the ‘motive’ of earning “wealth, money-prosperity too (mammon)”:
“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth (Mammon).”
Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him” – Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 16:13 – 14)
“For we are not like so many others, who peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as men sent from God.” – apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 2:17)
(vi) Other Faults of the Pharisees?
Christ the Lord details them in Matthew 23
Conclusion
Teaching “God’s Commands” does NOT make a Pharisee but acting “contrary to God’s Commands” and/or even “teaching men’s opinions & doctrine with “no” verses stating it” is within the bounds of being a Pharisee “as it is written”.
“And He said to them, “You are those justifying themselves before men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is exalted among men is an abomination before God.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 16:15)
