12 Signs You Are A Modern-Day Pharisee

[Ralph-]

The vast majority of Christendom thinks that because they were "baptized/water-baptized" or are "a member of such-and-such a church" (or the like) that they are "going to heaven"/"saved"/"a Christian"/"a child of God".



[see also Gal3:21b]

I agree, but that's not a description of the works gospel Paul assails. That's a description of the people Jesus was talking about in Matthew 7:19-27. People who don't have any works to characterize them as saved, obedient Christians but who think their association with Christ through various ministries and programs and churches will somehow convince Jesus to not toss them into the lake of fire when he returns.

Obedience to the law (summed up in 'love your neighbor as yourself') in order to make oneself righteous before God is hardly the problem the church is struggling with today. We're not seeing that. That is quite obvious. The far greater and more prevalent problem is so many in the church think they do not have to be obedient to the commands of God because of grace. It's the exact opposite problem. It's the new Pharisee among the people of God. People who do damage to the word of God in order to protect their own failure to follow it while giving the illusion that they are following it. And savagely attacking anyone who dare call them out on it. That is the spirit of the Pharisee, and now we see it in regard to the word of grace, just as we saw it in past times in regard to the word of the law.

 

[Ralph-]

well who is the person who shows no respect for the Son of God?

Who? Scripture says the person who sins willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth:

26For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. 28Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” And again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.” 31It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

The author of Hebrews calls this lack of respect for the Son of God and his blood a trampling underfoot of the Son God/blood and Spirit of grace. It plainly says that God's grace is indeed able to be abused. And that there is a very severe penalty for doing so.

 

[Ralph-]

If they were judged guilty, what about the rest of the world? Who could not even live up to their standard?

Our righteousness does far exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees in regard to the legal declaration of righteousness we have received through faith in Christ's forgiveness, but in context we can see that is not all that Jesus is getting at. He then goes on to show how it is that your right living must be above and beyond that of the Pharisees.

They were righteous on the outside. But because of the new nature within us, we are to be righteous on the inside, far and above them. This complete teaching of Jesus regarding having a righteousness that exceeds the Pharisees is rarely taught to Christians because righteous living is instantly labeled a works gospel and discarded for that reason.

 

[CS1]

I'm glad you made the connection that Jesus spoke about this in regard to the Pharisees of his day.

They knew they were rejecting the Holy Spirit, yet they did it anyway. Jesus calls that blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. That's what people today are doing who trample on the grace of God, insulting it, but who claim it's impossible to abuse grace because grace covers ALL things, even the sin of rejecting grace. No, Jesus was very clear about that. Grace is NOT going to cover that. Grace does not go everywhere. It does, in fact, have a line that it will NOT cross.

We don't even need to talk about it's implications to OSAS (which I'm not) to know that Christ clearly and plainly said that is unforgivable. You can not abuse grace and think it will cover that sin. No it will not. Yet, I am told, even scolded, over and over that yes it will because it's impossible to abuse grace. That's the spirit of the new Pharisee in the church.

they were not rejecting the Holy Spirit. They were saying Jesus cast out devils by the power of the devil. No, you are not correct in context to blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. You do not understand what Jesus was saying.

 

[CS1]

Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

You can be guilty of a lot of things in this life and it won't matter in the end. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit ain't one of them.

you do not understand "Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit ". One of the most misunderstood things Jesus spoke about.

Yet those most of the time overlook That Jesus was the only one who said this. And who He was speaking to, the Pharisees which bring it back to the original post, "12 signs you are a modern-day Pharisees". Matthew 23 sum's it up for us. it is those who call themselves of Christ who blasphemy.

Anything they do not agree with Biblically they insult, attack, mock, scoff, and belittle. When a good report of what is praiseworthy, they doubt it and need more proof. Because they did not see; it did not happen even more doubting than Thomas. They look to dis-prove over having faith in. For example, If a doctor says it was a miracle (an unexplained event did supernaturally) They seek to find if the person believed what they do before accepting. The bible is full of them.

Jesus forgave sin's and said that Pharisees attacked him
The blind man from birth healed Pharisees attacked him and intimidated parents kicked him out of the synagogue
Healed on the Sabbath Pharisees blew a gasket
ministered to drunks, prostitutes, crooks, they judge Him

and so much more they did.

Vipers, full of dead men's bones, fake hypocrites. Have a form of godliness but deny when God has done something. it is Pharisees who blaspheme the Holy Spirit.

Then try to make sinners think they did so they can not come to the saving knowledge of Christ. Don't believe them Read Matthew chapter 12 read the whole thing then focus on verses 22-39 It was the Pharisees Jesus was speaking to because it was the Pharisees who were blaspheming not the sinner; the self-righteous were.


Read Matthew Chapter 23 IN the NLT Who is Jesus speaking to when he called them hypocrites?

Who was Jesus speaking to when he said Vipers, polished on the outside but inside you are evil sick and twisted. and don't forget about the Scribes too. You who have studied the law and see God and know what He has done, yet will not see God doing it today.

it is the Pharisees that is the issue and it is this kind today that is the issue too. Praise God The Lord will deal with these half-baked cakes. The Woe has been said over 200 years ago to them and to those today. And yes they are here in CC too.

most of them fear church and make foolish statements about the people in the church and why they don't do anymore. That is a lie.
They don't go to Church today because :

they are self-righteous
Prideful
and most can't stand them in the church because they are the ones who cause divisions in the body.
They don't go to church because those who are learned put them in their place and they don't like it.

they prey on the new believers

they deny the move of God and they think God has called them to make the wrong right but get angry when they will not hear them.

they are unteachable, think they are untouchable and ungrateful

Woe to those modern-day hypocrites.

 

[Ralph-]

they were not rejecting the Holy Spirit.

They were calling the Holy Spirit a lying spirit. I will show you where John says that is calling the Holy Spirit a liar. The very same thing the Pharisees were doing.

They were saying Jesus cast out devils by the power of the devil.

Yes, they were calling the Holy Spirit working through Jesus a lying spirit of the devil. Notice the sin is not against Jesus, but against the Holy Spirit.

No, you are not correct in context to blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

Notice, in context, how broad the definition is that Jesus gave for blaspheming the Holy Spirit:

"whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit"-Matthew 12:32

There's more than one way to speak against the Holy Spirit. You can call Him a lying spirit of the devil performing miracles masquerading as the Spirit of God as the Pharisees did, or you can call Him a liar by simply rejecting the gospel:

6"It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
10The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony (of the Holy Spirit) in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him (the Holy Spirit) a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son."-1 John 5:6,10

The bottom line is, whether it's the Spirit's testimony in signs and wonders (see Hebrews 2:4), or the Spirit's voice in your heart calling you to the gospel (see above), rejecting the Holy Spirit's testimony is what blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is all about.

 

[Ralph-]

you do not understand "Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit ". One of the most misunderstood things Jesus spoke about.

Yet those most of the time overlook That Jesus was the only one who said this. And who He was speaking to, the Pharisees which bring it back to the original post, "12 signs you are a modern-day Pharisees". Matthew 23 sum's it up for us. it is those who call themselves of Christ who blasphemy.

Anything they do not agree with Biblically they insult, attack, mock, scoff, and belittle. When a good report of what is praiseworthy, they doubt it and need more proof. Because they did not see; it did not happen even more doubting than Thomas. They look to dis-prove over having faith in. For example, If a doctor says it was a miracle (an unexplained event did supernaturally) They seek to find if the person believed what they do before accepting. The bible is full of them.

Jesus forgave sin's and said that Pharisees attacked him
The blind man from birth healed Pharisees attacked him and intimidated parents kicked him out of the synagogue
Healed on the Sabbath Pharisees blew a gasket
ministered to drunks, prostitutes, crooks, they judge Him

and so much more they did.

Vipers, full of dead men's bones, fake hypocrites. Have a form of godliness but deny when God has done something. it is Pharisees who blaspheme the Holy Spirit.

Then try to make sinners think they did so they can not come to the saving knowledge of Christ. Don't believe them Read Matthew chapter 12 read the whole thing then focus on verses 22-39 It was the Pharisees Jesus was speaking to because it was the Pharisees who were blaspheming not the sinner; the self-righteous were.


Read Matthew Chapter 23 IN the NLT Who is Jesus speaking to when he called them hypocrites?

Who was Jesus speaking to when he said Vipers, polished on the outside but inside you are evil sick and twisted. and don't forget about the Scribes too. You who have studied the law and see God and know what He has done, yet will not see God doing it today.

it is the Pharisees that is the issue and it is this kind today that is the issue too. Praise God The Lord will deal with these half-baked cakes. The Woe has been said over 200 years ago to them and to those today. And yes they are here in CC too.

most of them fear church and make foolish statements about the people in the church and why they don't do anymore. That is a lie.
They don't go to Church today because :

they are self-righteous
Prideful
and most can't stand them in the church because they are the ones who cause divisions in the body.
They don't go to church because those who are learned put them in their place and they don't like it.

they prey on the new believers

they deny the move of God and they think God has called them to make the wrong right but get angry when they will not hear them.

they are unteachable, think they are untouchable and ungrateful

Woe to those modern-day hypocrites.

I don't like what Cheap Grace believers do either. But you gotta love 'em. God said so.

 

[notuptome]

Modern day Pharisees are well described in Jude.

3 ¶ Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
8 ¶ Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
15 ¶ To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.
17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Modern day Pharisees are well described in Jude.

3 ¶ Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
8 ¶ Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
15 ¶ To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.
17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

For the cause of Christ
Roger

I would say this speaks of licentious people. Not pharisee (legalistic) A Pharisee will strive to be obedient and boat of it. The people Jude spoke of wanted nothing to do with any laws. They just wanted to get a get out of jail free card. Then live in sin.

 

[CS1]

They were calling the Holy Spirit a lying spirit. I will show you where John says that is calling the Holy Spirit a liar. The very same thing the Pharisees were doing.



Yes, they were calling the Holy Spirit working through Jesus a lying spirit of the devil. Notice the sin is not against Jesus, but against the Holy Spirit.



Notice, in context, how broad the definition is that Jesus gave for blaspheming the Holy Spirit:

"whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit"-Matthew 12:32

There's more than one way to speak against the Holy Spirit. You can call Him a lying spirit of the devil performing miracles masquerading as the Spirit of God as the Pharisees did, or you can call Him a liar by simply rejecting the gospel:

6"It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
10The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony (of the Holy Spirit) in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him (the Holy Spirit) a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son."-1 John 5:6,10

The bottom line is, whether it's the Spirit's testimony in signs and wonders (see Hebrews 2:4), or the Spirit's voice in your heart calling you to the gospel (see above), rejecting the Holy Spirit's testimony is what blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is all about.

the problem with you idea is the Gospel of Matthew or Luke never say the Pharsieeses mentioned the Holy Spirit. This sin is a sin of understanding. If they did in fact blaspheming the Holy Spirit ; Jesus would not have said "Whoever" He would have said you have .

 

[notuptome]

I would say this speaks of licentious people. Not pharisee (legalistic) A Pharisee will strive to be obedient and boat of it. The people Jude spoke of wanted nothing to do with any laws. They just wanted to get a get out of jail free card. Then live in sin.

They were evil people. Pharisees are religious but lost. Mat 23 says they bind heavy burdens on others but do not move even one finger to move them themselves. Jude describes them more graphicly but they are of the same spirit.

There are many in the church today who are placing the burdens on others while they disregard the same standards for themselves. They use religion to make gain not to make converts. Grand and flowing oratory but no substance. Accusing others while they are guilty of the same and worse. Reacting with emotion and not biblical wisdom.

They are as number seven on the list shows not saved. Vindictive and not virtuous.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[eternally-gratefull]

They were evil people. Pharisees are religious but lost. Mat 23 says they bind heavy burdens on others but do not move even one finger to move them themselves. Jude describes them more graphicly but they are of the same spirit.

There are many in the church today who are placing the burdens on others while they disregard the same standards for themselves. They use religion to make gain not to make converts. Grand and flowing oratory but no substance. Accusing others while they are guilty of the same and worse. Reacting with emotion and not biblical wisdom.

They are as number seven on the list shows not saved. Vindictive and not virtuous.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

Both are evil.

Paul described the religious pharisee. Who professed works enabled them to be worthy of Gods love, where as the licentious people spoken of By Jude knew they were unworthy but did not care.

We have the same people today, the legalist, and the licentious. One pushing laws and obedience, the other pushing you can live in sin and be saved because you said some sinners prayer.

While both stem from a deep seeded pride whihc has to be broken before they repent. Both come from different views.

 

[notuptome]

Both are evil.

Paul described the religious pharisee. Who professed works enabled them to be worthy of Gods love, where as the licentious people spoken of By Jude knew they were unworthy but did not care.

We have the same people today, the legalist, and the licentious. One pushing laws and obedience, the other pushing you can live in sin and be saved because you said some sinners prayer.

While both stem from a deep seeded pride whihc has to be broken before they repent. Both come from different views.

Absolutely both are evil and both deny the grace of God. One is not better or worse than the other as they are both lost. They cannot come to Christ until they see themselves as lost and in dire need of salvation. As you noted their pride, deep seated pride is their greatest adversary to their conversion to Christ.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Absolutely both are evil and both deny the grace of God. One is not better or worse than the other as they are both lost. They cannot come to Christ until they see themselves as lost and in dire need of salvation. As you noted their pride, deep seated pride is their greatest adversary to their conversion to Christ.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

Yes, Which is why both are satanic, Satan has decieved the religious and the rebel, and mixed with parts of truth and kept many from finding God because pride is too deep

 

[Ralph-]

If they did in fact blaspheming the Holy Spirit ; Jesus would not have said "Whoever" He would have said you have .

What do you mean 'if'? Jesus plainly said they were blaspheming the Holy Spirit because they were saying the spirit in him is an unclean spirit:

29but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— 30because they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”-Mark 3:29-30

Jesus said that's blaspheming the Holy Spirit, and that they were doing that because they said he has an unclean spirit. How can anyone interpret it otherwise?

 

[JustFaith]

Why are they mutually exclusive? Do the goats get sent to the eternal fire for not believing in Him or for not having works? Did the rich man get sent to the place of torture for not believing in Jesus or for having enjoyed his riches without caring for other people (Lazarus)'s sufferings? Did the Samaritan help the robbed man because he believed in Jesus or because he listened to the kindness placed by God in his heart? Did Jesus not tell the rich young man that, in order to be perfect, he has to keep the commandments, sell his possessions, give the money to the poor and follow Him? Did Jesus tell him to only follow him? No. The part about helping others (works) is important.

Those are all things any buddhist or muslim can do it doesnt save you. Salvation and servitude are two different things. when Jesus was talking to the rich young ruler he was pointing out that he didnt keep the law as he claimed. How are you are to be perfect? by being sinless which is impossible (by the will of man). We needs Gods Imputed righteousness accounted to us through faith alone in Christ alone. By the Law shall no FLESH be justified in his sight. One born of God CANNOT sin thats the spiritual birth and that NEW CREATURE is sinless thats how ye be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect. Believe the Gospel

 

[JustFaith]

What do you mean 'if'? Jesus plainly said they were blaspheming the Holy Spirit because they were saying the spirit in him is an unclean spirit:

29but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— 30because they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”-Mark 3:29-30

Jesus said that's blaspheming the Holy Spirit, and that they were doing that because they said he has an unclean spirit. How can anyone interpret it otherwise?

John 16:8-11 King James Version (KJV)
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

There's a point where a person can harden their hearts to where they cannot hear the true gospel. Blaspheming the Holy Spirit is dying in unbelief. You are cut outta time and in eternity these word will ring true saved or unsaved: He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

The Holy Spirit reproves the world of sin bc they believe not on me (Jesus) The unpardonable sin is unbelief. All other Sins are already paid for EVERLASTING LIFE is for those who simply BELIEVE. OSAS

 

[CS1]

What do you mean 'if'? Jesus plainly said they were blaspheming the Holy Spirit because they were saying the spirit in him is an unclean spirit:

29but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— 30because they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”-Mark 3:29-30

Jesus said that's blaspheming the Holy Spirit, and that they were doing that because they said he has an unclean spirit. How can anyone interpret it otherwise?

NO, read it again. Jesus is clearly admonishing them. to Blaspheming the Holy Spirit is a sin of knowledge. it is the language used in the chapter you are reading into the statement of The Lord. their comment about Jesus, they did not know they were speaking about the Holy Spirit this is why Jesus said " paraphrasing " that what is said about me and the Father will be forgiven " but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven."

 

[Ralph-]

NO, read it again. Jesus is clearly admonishing them. to Blaspheming the Holy Spirit is a sin of knowledge. it is the language used in the chapter you are reading into the statement of The Lord. their comment about Jesus, they did not know they were speaking about the Holy Spirit this is why Jesus said " paraphrasing " that what is said about me and the Father will be forgiven " but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven."

It sounds like you're saying they were not blaspheming the Holy Spirit because they didn't know it was the Holy Spirit for it to be blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

 

[Ralph-]

You were doing good until you got to this part:

OSAS

If a person stops believing they will lose their salvation.