howeenterprise.com
Faith by Debbie Wallis
“Then the disciples came over to Him and asked, ‘Do you know that You insulted the Pharisees by what You said?’ Jesus answered, ‘Every plant that My Father in Heaven did not plant will be pulled up by the roots. Stay away from the Pharisees! They are like blind people leading other blind people, and all of them will fall into a ditch.” Matthew 15:12-14.
Monday, May 11, 2015 to help. Everything they do is to show off to others. They even make a big show of wearing Scriptures on their foreheads and arms, and show off with their clothes. They love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues. They liked to be greeted by people in the marketplaces as their great teacher. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Don’t be called the instructor, for you have one instructor, Christ. The greatest among you should be the servant to others. Whoever exalts himself will be put down, and whoever humbles himself will be honored,” Matthew 23:1-12.
The church still has Pharisees pointing out the shortcomings of others and Social Media has made it easier for a Pharisee to gain a following. It’s easy to see the spirit of judgement in others but this is a blind spot in our own lives. Pharisees attitudes are brought out through difficult situations with difficult people. The reality is that it often hides in high expectations. We are often disappointed with the Jesus didn’t have much use for the spiritual journey of the people close Pharisees and we shouldn’t either. to us. He condemns them in Matthew 23. Jesus called it for what it was. Pharisees get religiously bitter and He was not politically correct. He start looking down on others who didn’t tip toe around an issue so don’t measure up to their sacrifices. He wouldn’t embarrass anyone. As a child we voice when we are He showed no favoritism. He had the best. “I can do this and that and no tolerance for their behavior you can’t.” It’s up to adults to because He saw it as destructive to correct that kind of pride and to help the people they ruled. children learn humility. Raising children in a society where “Then Jesus said to the crowds and everyone plays and everyone gets a to His disciples: The scribes and trophy has contributed to a the Pharisees are experts on the generation that doesn’t understand Law of Moses, so obey whatever that life is not like that. As time they tell you, but not what they goes by they learn to think they are do. They say one thing and do superior but not to say it out loud. something else. They put heavy That creates a Pharisee’s attitude of burdens on people's shoulders, but superiority. they are not willing to lift a finger
Being superior in all situations leads to disappointment in others. Disappointment leads to frustration and frustration leads to anger. Anger is expressed in a spiritual superiority and leans hard on others. Without recognizing its slow growth in your life your passion for perfection can make you a Pharisee. The challenge is to recognize the passion as your desire to serve the Lord and avoid the pride of measuring others commitment and passion to yours. It happens in every area of life. People of passion and dedication wonder why other people are not as passionate.
Page #8 knew it well. Their downfall was that they centered themselves on self-justification and selfimportance. The irony is that the people who purposed to love God most ultimately killed Him when He showed up. Denying Christ is exactly what we do when our attitudes justify ourselves more than they reflect the heart and love of Jesus. God forgive the Pharisee in me and make my heart more like Yours, If you don’t have a bible please contact me at sfadebbie@yahoo.com and I will provide you one.
The Pharisees studied the law and
Howe Elementary Students of the Month
First Row: Ava Herbert-Muse and Leyton Murphy. Second Row: Zoie Kemp, Logan Smith, Sierra Ainsworth and Ozzie Gutierrez. Third Row: Mahlon Walker, Riley Troxtell, Donna Uriostegui and Yair Ayala.
