Why People Lose the KingdomSample

SPIRITUAL PRIDE

MAIN IDEAS

• It seems that these Bible specialists had good teachings, but they just did not seem to do what they were telling others to do. Hypocrisy was the main feature in the lives of these teachers of the law.

• Their spiritual pride made them desperately want to affirm themselves in front of people. Thus, they were permanently looking to impress through their external righteousness.

• Their biggest problem was their sinful and bad heart, but as they were so concentrated on their external appearance, they became uninterested in the inner aspects of the heart.

JESUS is tough in His approach to these teachers of Scripture and their spiritual pride. Their problem was not a wrong teaching, but a duplicitous life, whose deeds did not match theory. Their lifestyle was focused on the external and managed to convince them that they were the most righteous of people, a sort of benchmark for excellence among mortals. They were only interested in impressing those around them, they loved being the center of attention and being respected by everyone.

Thus, law requirements such as tithing, fasting, and giving alms, were always carried out dutifully – not before God, but before people. They were so convinced of their purity that they thought God himself appreciated them the same way. Nevertheless, JESUS exposes their emptiness and the sin that resided in their hearts, masked under their external piety. Spiritual pride blocks people from the KINGDOM OF GOD and leaves them stranded outside.

What would JESUS say today, when addressing Christian leaders? Many of them are well versed in the Bible, but their lives fall short, while others have turned Christian ministry into a way of affirming themselves and gaining wealth. Some did not even live up to the Pharisees’ level – as the Pharisees knew the Word very well and spoke it very well, but did not live by it. Nowadays, many leaders give diluted teachings – a combination between the Old and the New Testament, as it suits them.

By saying these things, we want to bring forth a much-needed warning and we beseech you to read the Bible – the Holy Word – the only Word that gives Eternal Life. Do not content yourself with the thought that whatever happens, you will go with the flow!