Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. -Matthew 23: 1-3

As followers of Christ, we’re called to study and share the Gospel.

So that means we have to spend time daily in the Word.

But what a tragedy it would be for people to respect our biblical knowledge, yet view us as poor examples.

What a shame it would be for us to be able to quote Scripture backward and forwards, but then turn around and backbite, hold grudges, and speak unkindly to others.

If we do these things, then Jesus will view us no differently than He viewed the Pharisees.

And the last people we would ever want Jesus to compare us to are the Pharisees and religious teachers of His day.

We have to understand that the Word is love.

And if we’re not practicing what the Word preaches, we’re not living the lifestyle of love that God wants us to live.

So as we read and proclaim to others that we are followers of Christ, we have to be very aware that people are paying way more attention to our actions than our words.

If we want to draw unbelievers to Christ, we have to ask God to empower us to act accordingly.

None of us are perfect, but God will use us to influence and convict others if we are sincere in seeking to do His will.

Be blessed,

Alexia

Prayer: God, help me to never be like the Pharisees. If there’s any hypocrisy inside of me as far as your Word is concerned, please remove it from my heart. Give me clear vision, self-awareness, and the humility to change my behavior if it is not pleasing to you. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.