The Leaven of the Pharisees

We've had some good conversation around the Scriptures on Sundays concerning the "Leaven of the Pharisees", lately.

Recently, someone asked me to define it...

Here it is: "Hypocrisy"

That is the leaven of the Pharisees.

You know what I like about the Pharisees of the Bible? a LOT.
They believed in the Resurrection, Angels, the Judgment, an actual Messiah...
They were fervent believers in the authority of Scripture, but not in a way that confronted their HEARTS.

In their hearts, they were devoid of love and fully devoted to the things of this world, albeit religious forms of those things...
They loved money.
They loved to look good to others...
They lied about God.
They oppressed people...
They were full of death (dead men's bones)...

But in their practise! They were great! They set up a GREAT temple, with benevolence and worship and sacrifice and deep symbology, all in accordance with what Moses commanded the Israelites in the desert... At least as long as you didn't REALLY look at what they did... their symbols, wardrobe, words... all very full of bible and piety... but they cheated the poor widows and didn't really love God or their neighbors, or even their parents, by the time you get to all Jesus said to them...

They were terrible. They were great! Why both? Because they were hypocrites! It is impossible to argue with a hypocrite. They get to believe whatever they want to, about themselves.

Jesus told us to watch out for this. Not to allow hypocrisy to get the upper hand on us. He also told us to leave the Pharisees behind. Who calls the shots in your heart, head and life? Wack religious leaders whose practise doesn't match their teaching?

Check for it! I've been in so many church board meetings where Jesus just isn't loved or honored... decisions to withold truth or help from the poor, or needy saints... decisions to spend all the money on US and not on Jesus!

Wow. gotta rest...