The Lukewarm DeceptionSample

The Pharisee Syndrome

We often think of the Pharisees (a strict religious sect within Judaism) as evil people because Jesus came out so strongly against them. But many were the most upright people in the Jewish faith. Today they might be the pillars of our churches, the ones that many of us would look up to. They may know the Bible, quote Scripture, teach our classes and fill our pulpits. But they don’t necessarily love God with all their hearts – it’s all a show.

Jesus lashed out at these leaders more than any others. Jesus loved everyone and was known as a friend of sinners. Everyone loved hanging out with Jesus because He was so kind and loving and caring.  So, what was the problem with the Pharisees? In Matthew 23:13-33, Jesus said “Woe to you” eight times.  

And here is why:      

• They loved the show of religion, but didn’t have a relationship with God, and they didn’t want others to know God either.    


• They took houses away from widows but made long prayers for a show.    


• They loved world evangelism but then turned their converts into worse sinners than they were.    


• They made detailed rules on how you could swear and how you couldn’t.    


• They were meticulous in tithing but forgot about the most important aspects of mercy, justice, and faith.    


• They carefully washed their cups and saucers but inside they were full of greed and self-indulgence.    


• Outwardly they looked religious but on the inside they were full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.    


• They pretended to honor the prophets who had died but inwardly they were snakes and vipers with hearts of murder.

It’s easy to think, “I could never be like that." But when we pretend to be more spiritual than we are, we have already been affected by the deception of the enemy, and we may be on the edge of falling into deeper sin, especially that of self-deception, just as the Pharisees had been. Some people seem to be happy in trying to live with one foot in the world, and the other attempting to be a Christian. But the Bible is full of teaching that warns us to keep our minds set on God, seeking His kingdom, His wisdom, His blessing, and understanding that we cannot trust the world to bring us approval from Him. 

Reflection: Am I more concerned with pleasing people than pleasing God? 

Serving Jesus is radical in the world’s eyes, but the alternative is disapproval from our Lord who gave Himself for us. Seek Him and Him alone, trusting in His wisdom and rejoicing in this truth from Ephesians 2:4-6, "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus..."