Am I A Pharisee?

Read the Red Letters and you’ll see some startling revelations.

Some think that Jesus’ ministry was to call out sinners — to pin their deeds against them and exact some sort of forced change. But, in reality, he reserved his harshest words for the religious folks — those who lived by rules and thrived on the judgement of others without any heart change.

Jesus embraced the sinner, the prostitute and the tax collector. He dined with the most sordid lot, drinking from their cup, reveling in their company. He did so because these were the people were the ones could understand grace — because they needed it the most.

And all the while, one group of men in white robes stood with their arms crossed in disapproval — The Pharisees.

I have Pharisees in my life — those that want to make my faith and witness feel small. They want to steal my joy. They proudly quote Scripture and strut their own righteousness. And I’ll bet you have them in yours, too.

Perhaps you are reading this, looking for some kind of offense, looking for a rock to throw. Your white robe might just be hiding a dirty heart. Here’s a simple summary posed by Christ Life Ministries.

You might be a Pharisee if….

*Your memory is excellent when it comes to remembering your good works and other’s faults.
* You routinely dismiss anyone who would dare to point out a “blind spot.”
* You verbally challenge the people who disagree with you.
* You rarely say, “I’m wrong” or “I’m sorry.”
* You find it difficult to fellowship with those different from yourself.
* You build up yourself and your group by tearing others down.
* You despise people who do not hold your convictions.
* You excuse your arrogant behavior because you hold to “the correct position.”
* You call your uncanny ability to catalog the faults of others “discernment.”
* Your sense of self-importance blinds you to the fact of how repulsive you are to others.
* You feel the trail of broken relationships in your past is due to some fault in the other parties.
* You visually and intellectually comply in order to gain acceptance and approval.
* You are so caught up in your own circle that you will do anything to maintain your reputation.
* You are dominated by the fear of man.
* You are insulted by the notion you may be a Pharisee.