I am not going to quote all the traits of a Pharisee shown in this article,
because it would become too long. I did not write this.
"Matthew 9:11
3. A Pharisee does not mingle with unconverted people. That is not holiness. Jesus was a friend of sinners � not a condemner of them but a savior. Jesus would have gone to an unconverted relative�s wedding reception. He did not avoid sinners, His righteousness was inside. How will you win sinners if you do not seek to be friendly with them. How many converted people in your church have been bought by you? Probably zero after 20 years. You are a Pharisee."
This applies to being on Facebook and interacting there with some who do not claim to be Christians and with some who do profess to be Christians, but are in false doctrines. Though Facebook is not as learned with worldly "wisdom" as the Areopagus of Athens in Acts 17, where Paul preached, it is an Internet site that offers an opportunity to interact with people one would not usually interact with.
"Matthew12:2
5. The Pharisees are very critical of others in small matters. Why do you break the Sabbath. The church becomes like the elder brother. If the elder brother is legalistic the whole church will be. Do not follow a legalistic person. Matthew 15:1"
Notice that here the Pharisees are talked about in the present tense, not in the past tense. There are now Christians who are very much like the Pharisees of Christ's time. However, it takes some effort to become a Pharisee. You have to learn some things about being a self-proclaimed authority on Christianity, and often modern day Pharisees have graduated from a seminary. There are others though who are still Pharisees who have not been to a seminary. Many more Christians after the falling away are followers of the Pharisees; they might be seen as the scorpions of Ezekiel 2: 3-6 (these people are called scorpions in Ezekiel 2: 6), but they are not as "religious" as the Pharisees.
"Matthew 12:14
7. The Pharisees are motivated by jealousy, hatred, murder. It is a progression. You may take only take step one. But it leads to others. It is Cain�s religion.
Matthew 12:24
8. Pharisees are suspicious and assume the worst of others. When you see someone doing something and you assume the worst you are a Pharisee. Pharisees are extremely suspicious always looking for the wrong."
"Matthew15:12-14
11. A Pharisee is one who is easily offended."
"Matthew15:14
12. Pharisees are spiritually blind. They don�t know where they are going. Here it talks of elders. Don�t follow a blind man. Look for a man who�s vision is clear.
Matthew16:6-12
13. A Pharisee is a hypocrite. Jesus said about them Matthew 16:6-12.Hypocrite means an actor. We have actors in the church now. Sunday morning is only an act. After it is over they are back to their same old life. Pharisees are actors."
"Matthew 15:8
15. A Pharisee is hard hearted. Hearts are far from God. When you are hard with people you are miles from God. A soft heart judges himself and leave others alone. There are lots and lots in churches."
."Matthew 23:4
19. Pharisees put heavy burdens on people. �Tithe your time like money� a speaker said. I asked him if he did he said no. Many preach tithing and they don�t do it. They are building Babylon and not the work of God. Message says �Load you down like donkeys.� Many are sick and tired of coming to churches. They don�t lift a finger to help others."
"Matthew 23:5
20. Pharisees seek honor to be noticed by men. You do not preach to get honor. Many are boring to the day they die. You must work on your own sermon. Seeking honor is one of the things that is not spoken of in the church. You can never build Jerusalem, you will only build Babylon."
"Matthew 23:15
26. Pharisee make people feel they are born again when they are not. They make them double people of hell. They have gone through a mantra and think they are going to heaven. I will tell them they are going to hell. We must speak repentance. Sometimes we think our church is a godly church. Babylon in a different color. I want God fearing people."
"Matthew 23:23
28. Pharisees are sticklers for the letter of the law. They neglect mercy, grace and faithfulness. They major on minor issues. Concentrate on the major things."
"Matthew 23:34-36
33. Pharisees persecute God�s prophets. They get offended when they hear a prophet. If you get offended with prophets you are a Pharisee. We should judge ourselves before looking at other people."
"Luke 16:14
35. Pharisees love money. You cannot serve God and wealth. We have preached as much about loving money as we have other things. God gave us things to use and people to love. The world loves money and uses people. Some of the biggest legalists in our churches love money like anything. They stack up money but have silly little rules for others. Don�t swallow everything your elder said. I have found many are legalists."
"John 8:41,44
42. Pharisee imagines God is their father, when his father is the devil. It is the nature of Satan. The height of blindness it to judge and accuse And think you are with God. There is hypocrisy everywhere."
"John 8:44
43. Pharisee is a liar and murderer. They wanted to murder the woman with stoning. The devil tells about your sins. If you daughter fell into sins would you tell people. Why don�t you do that when other people�s daughter does that? I believe God is sick and tired of this and so am I. When people start to backslide they start to lie. You are also a murderer when you start that. When you lie your tongue is of the devil."
"Mark 7:1-13
49. Pharisee values tradition more than God�s word."
A Pharisee values theology more than God's word. And some theologies, over the decades, have become traditions. Dispensationalism is the most popular, and for that reason has to be dealt with, but is not the only theology to become a tradition.
Find out how Paul, the Pharisee who persecuted Christians, was fully converted on the Road to Damascus. This experience with the risen Christ accounts for why Paul was an exception to the Pharisees. Nicodemus, who came to Christ by night asking questions, might have become a believer, but we don't know for sure. And in Acts 15: 1 there were Pharisees who believed on Christ but taught that Christians had to become circumcised in order to be saved. Even the Pharisees who believed Christ was the messiah remained legalists.
I forgot to mention that in Philippians 3:4- 8 Paul says "Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
5. Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
6. Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,"
This doesn't sound like Paul took pride in having been a Pharisee.
Very true Halfback...There are Pharisees & Saducees all around the Body of Christ Jesus's flock...they are from the World....and Secular...they sit next to us in Church...we pass them on the Street & in Grocry Stores and some are Jews...:glow:...SOooo...why not preach the message of Salvation to them...and ifin they dont want to hear it...move on...isnt that what we suposed to be doing ???...xo
