As you read through the New Testament one group is constantly pointed out that you should never want to be compared to. The group of people I am referring to is known as the Pharisees. They were the religious leaders during the time of Jesus and the first church. Outwardly they seemed to live perfect lives for God. But inwardly they were some of the most wicked people of their day. Modern Christians should strive to be nothing like them. We must not only appear to serve God but truly serve from the heart.
In their day the Pharisees would have been seen as some of the most righteous people around. That is until Jesus begin preaching and exposed their hypocrisy to the masses. Pointing out the wickedness that was hidden within them. Jesus showed that while they could often be seen praying, fasting, and giving all of it was done from a corrupt heart. Not doing those seemingly religious acts in true reverence to God but so others would see them as super religious. They wanted to be held in high esteem and rise through the ranks. So while outwardly their appeared to be serving God. Inwardly they were only serving themselves from a wicked heart.
Matthew 6:2 (ESV)
2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
Matthew 6:5 (ESV)
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
Matthew 6:16 (ESV)
16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
Later Jesus would make His point even clearer when He brings up how they would clean the outside of a cup but not the ends. They would work hard to clean what could be seen but allow the inside to remain filthy. Pointing to the fact that they did the same thing in their own lives. Working ever so hard to make sure the outside appears righteous and clean. While never taking the time to remove all the junk that still remain inside them.
Matthew 23:25–28 (ESV)
25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.
27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
In the accounts we have about the Pharisees in the Bible we never see them outwardly sin. They themselves never rob anyone, physically murder another, or commit adultery. However, we do see them continually sin in their hearts. Will the sin never manifests itself physically. Sins such as envy, greed, lust, hate, etc. still run rampant within them. Jesus taught that sin committed in the heart is just as bad and carries the same punishment as any other sin.
Matthew 5:21–22 (ESV)
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
Matthew 5:27–28 (ESV)
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Being a modern-day Pharisee is a lot easier than you probably think. It doesn’t take much to get focused on doing everything right in view of others. Only to let sin slip back into your head and begin to run rampant. It’s even easier to want others to see you as righteous and as a good Christian. That what we all want to be known as but it can lead to hiding sin deep within so others can’t see it and feeling as though it is okay. But if you are seeking salvation and want to grow in your relationship with God you simply cannot live that way.
While the Pharisees did many good and righteous acts throughout their lives they still won’t be in Heaven. All because they were still inwardly corrupt. In fact, it was the sin they allowed to live in their hearts that blinded them from recognizing the messaging even when they stood face to face. Don’t get caught in the same trap they did and believe you will be saved by only outwardly serving the Lord. Clean up the inward man and begin to serve God how He wants you too. From your whole heart and soul.
Deuteronomy 11:13 (ESV)
13 “And if you will indeed obey my commandments that I command you today, to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,
Romans 6:17 (ESV)
17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,
Please take a moment to reflect over the way you have been living. Have you carried yourself like one of the Pharisees? Appearing to be righteous to those who can only see you outward actions. While remain corrupt on the inside? Have you kept yourself from physically sinning but allowed yourself to regularly sin in your heart? Remember that to God either way you have sinned is seen as the same. Both will receive the same punishment and the good cannot out way the continued wickedness.
If any of that speaks to you know that you can change things. Start praying and repent of your sinful deeds. Seek forgiveness for the way you have been living. Make the decision to change and allow your righteousness to radiate from your heart. The goal of every Christian should be to not sin either outwardly or inwardly. But know that if you fall we have an advocate with the father. If you turn from sin back to Him you will be forgiven once again.
1 John 2:1–2 (ESV)
1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
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