Your friendly neighborhood Pharisee

"And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
--Luke 18:9-14

Modern Day Pharisees

Every time we stick our nose up in the air in arrogance at other people;
we may look righteous, like we are looking up to heaven,
but God is not fooled. God knows our hearts.

If we claim we are without sin; we deceive ourselves,
we are modern day Pharisees.

Every time we look down upon people
and place ourselves on a self-righteous pedestal;

and Every time we do not see the value
in each man, woman, or child we are modern day Pharisees.

Every time we think we do more than others,
Every time we think our gifts and talents
are greater than others;

Every time we are prideful, our gifts, our sacrifices
are not acceptable to God.

Every time our pride comes before God;
we are modern day Pharisees.

Every time we ask Christ, “Who is the Greatest?”
Every time we want to have the greatest
most important seat at the table;

Every time we want to wrap ourselves in robes of glory
before others; we are modern day Pharisees.

Every time we treat fellow believers or non-believers with harsh,
judgmental, vindictive words we are not followers of God’s WORD.

Every time we do not encourage and support fellow believers
in their ministry and their mission;
we are modern day Pharisees.

Help us dear Lord to be your people. You taught us to “love one another as Jesus Christ loved us.” When you washed your disciples feet you showed us that there is no greater love than to love one another and to be a servant to one another. Jesus Christ laid down His life for us, to save us from our sins. Help us dear Lord, to give ourselves to you and to others as a holy living sacrifice for your Glory; not ours. Let us always remember that every time we approach God; we come to God with empty hands.

Amen

--Osten Aune, Bible Basics