Poohbear
Fearfully Wonderfully Made
Hypocrisy is a sin. In Matthew 15:8-9, Jesus applied the words of Isaiah who criticized hypocrites (Isaiah 29:3) to these religious leaders. When we claim to honor God while our hearts are far from him, our worship means nothing. It is not enough to act religious...our actions and our attitudes must be sincere. The Pharisees knew a lot about God, but they didn't know God. It is enough to study about religion or even to study the Bible. We must respond to God Himself. In verses 13-14, Jesus told his disciples to let the Pharisees alone because they were blind to God's truth. Anyone who listened to their teaching would risk spiritual blindness as well. Not all religious leaders clearly see God's truth. We must listen to and learn from all those with good spiritual eyesight--those who teach AND follow the principles of Scripture.
In Matthew 23, Jesus again exposed the hypocritical attitudes of the religious leaders. They knew the Scriptures but did not live by them. They din't care about being holy--just looking holy in order to receive the people's admiration and praise. Today, like the Pharisees, many people who know the Bible do not let it change their lives. They say they follow Jesus but don't live by his standards of love. People who live this way are hypocrites. We must make sure our actions match our beliefs.
The Pharisees' converts were attracted to pharisaism, not to God. By getting caught up in the details of theur additional laws and regulations, they missed God, to who the laws pointed. A religion of works puts pressure on people to surpass others in what they know and do. This, a hypocritical teacher was likey to have student who were even more hypocritical. We must make sure we are not creating Pharisees by emphasizing outward obedience at the expense of inner renewal.
It's possible to obey the details of the laws but still be disobedient in our general behavior. For example, we could be very precise and faithful about giving 10% of our money to God, but refuse to give one minute of our time in helping others. Tithing is important, but paying tithes doesn't exempt us from fulfilling God's other directives.
These Pharisees who were hypocrites had corrupted hearts. In verse 25-28, Jesus condemned the Pharisees and religious leaders for appearing saintly and holy outwardly but inwardly remaining full of corruption and greed. Living our Christianity merely as a show for others is like washing a cup on the outside only. When we are clean on the inside, our cleanliness on the outside won't be a sham.
Romans 2:21-27 are verses that criticize hypocrisy. It is much easier to tell others how to behave than to behave properly ourselves. It is easier to say the right words than to allow then to take root in our lives. Knowing God's will, however, does not excuse us from doing it. Do you ever advise others to do something you are unwilling to do yourself? We must make sure our actions match our words. Before we accuse others, we must look at ourselves and see if that sin, in any form, exist within us.
If we claim to be one of God's people, our life should reflect what God is like. When we disobey God, we dishonor his name, and people may even speak evil of God because of us. A good question we should ask ourselves is this... What do/would people think about God from watching your life?
Now the real question is... are hypocrites saved???
Salvation's Freeway:
1. Romans 3:23 - Everyone has sinned
2. Romans 6:23 - The penalty for our sin is death
3. Romans 5:8 - Jesus Christ died for sin
4. Romans 10:8-10 - To be forgiven for our sin, we must believe and confess that Jesus is Lord. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ
If the hypocrite has done that last step, he/she has salvation through Jesus Christ.
But if he/she continues in his/her sin and is unrepentant, his/her salvation is questioned...
Hope that helps. Feel free to make responses accordingly based on your Biblical knowledge, wisdom, and life experiences.
In Matthew 23, Jesus again exposed the hypocritical attitudes of the religious leaders. They knew the Scriptures but did not live by them. They din't care about being holy--just looking holy in order to receive the people's admiration and praise. Today, like the Pharisees, many people who know the Bible do not let it change their lives. They say they follow Jesus but don't live by his standards of love. People who live this way are hypocrites. We must make sure our actions match our beliefs.
The Pharisees' converts were attracted to pharisaism, not to God. By getting caught up in the details of theur additional laws and regulations, they missed God, to who the laws pointed. A religion of works puts pressure on people to surpass others in what they know and do. This, a hypocritical teacher was likey to have student who were even more hypocritical. We must make sure we are not creating Pharisees by emphasizing outward obedience at the expense of inner renewal.
It's possible to obey the details of the laws but still be disobedient in our general behavior. For example, we could be very precise and faithful about giving 10% of our money to God, but refuse to give one minute of our time in helping others. Tithing is important, but paying tithes doesn't exempt us from fulfilling God's other directives.
These Pharisees who were hypocrites had corrupted hearts. In verse 25-28, Jesus condemned the Pharisees and religious leaders for appearing saintly and holy outwardly but inwardly remaining full of corruption and greed. Living our Christianity merely as a show for others is like washing a cup on the outside only. When we are clean on the inside, our cleanliness on the outside won't be a sham.
Romans 2:21-27 are verses that criticize hypocrisy. It is much easier to tell others how to behave than to behave properly ourselves. It is easier to say the right words than to allow then to take root in our lives. Knowing God's will, however, does not excuse us from doing it. Do you ever advise others to do something you are unwilling to do yourself? We must make sure our actions match our words. Before we accuse others, we must look at ourselves and see if that sin, in any form, exist within us.
If we claim to be one of God's people, our life should reflect what God is like. When we disobey God, we dishonor his name, and people may even speak evil of God because of us. A good question we should ask ourselves is this... What do/would people think about God from watching your life?
Now the real question is... are hypocrites saved???
Salvation's Freeway:
1. Romans 3:23 - Everyone has sinned
2. Romans 6:23 - The penalty for our sin is death
3. Romans 5:8 - Jesus Christ died for sin
4. Romans 10:8-10 - To be forgiven for our sin, we must believe and confess that Jesus is Lord. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ
If the hypocrite has done that last step, he/she has salvation through Jesus Christ.
But if he/she continues in his/her sin and is unrepentant, his/her salvation is questioned...
Hope that helps. Feel free to make responses accordingly based on your Biblical knowledge, wisdom, and life experiences.
What did the bishop instruct them to do and what did the leaders lie about?
