Mt 15
Scripture:
[12]Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”
[13]He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.[14]Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
Observation:
Kind of funny that the disciples asked if Jesus knew he offended the Pharisees. Of course he knew. He intended to call them out and expected them to be offended.
The Pharisees were teaching and enforcing laws not wholly of God. They were hung up on the wrong things and not believing Jesus was who He said He was. Therefore, Jesus says, at some point their teachings will be pulled up by the roots.
No need to bother with them. If they continue like this they, along with their followers, will meet their end.
Application:
We should be confident in calling out modern day Pharasees or anyone else adding to or removing from God’s Word, just as Jesus was confident in doing so. If we hear someone adding to, or removing from God’s Word, we need to call them out.
This is happening all around us with pastors modifying their messages to fit today’s culture. For instance, teaching that Jesus alone is not enough, that it needs to be Jesus plus something else.
Even churches changing doctrine teaching that God’s plan for man and woman have changed, now condoning homosexual behavior, or teaching that abortion is not baby murder, or teaching that marxist, anti-christian, nuclear family destroying beliefs like social justice theory, are necessary for humanity. These are all lies from the enemy and infiltrating churches at an alarming rate.
We need to stay well grounded in the Word, knowing when it is being twisted. It is our responsibility as Christians to call others out when we hear this nonsense adding to and removing from God’s Word. Yes, they will be offended and try to make us feel ignorant and weak. But they are leading others to an eternity in hell with their false teaching.
All of that being said, we can only do the part God calls us to do. If they remain blind, we are to move on and not worry about them.
Prayer:
Lord I love you. Thank You for choosing me. As I see and hear anyone teach in contradiction to Your Word, guide me with Your Spirit. Give me discernment to know Your Truth from false teaching, knowing when to speak up against it and not being afraid to do so. I pray I speak in obedience to You and only with Your guidance, not on my own.