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Religious Pride and hypocrisy

Scripture reading for July 25th: Luke 20, Psalm 147, Proverbs 23

Luke 20: 45-47 “And in the hearing of all the people He said to His disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.””

Jesus publicly warned His people and the religious leaders of the dangers of putting on a religious show. The fear of man is a snare that the scribes were caught up in. To feed their own egos, they dressed up and took human honors. To fill their coffers, they devoured widows houses and merchandised their prayers. Jesus said that these would receive the greater condemnation. These people had greater knowledge of God’s truth and had rejected fear of the Lord and true care for the hurting and needy who were seeking help from God’s people and priests. Jesus, Son of God, although all powerful, built up Jerusalem through helping the brokenhearted and healing the oppressed. This is true wisdom and a timely warning!

Psalm 147:2-5 “The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of stars; He gives all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond measure.”

Prayer: Father God, forgive me for falling under a fear of man and neglecting true care for those in need and seeking Your kingdom. Through Your Holy Spirit, keep me focused on Your kingdom and Your will, building up Your kingdom through going into the world and making disciples who will multiply ministry. I will keep my focus on Jesus as the highest example of wisdom and understanding.

Proverbs 23:17-18 “Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all day. Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.”