The Pharisees | Resource Guide
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Pharisees: (1) Merit-based thinking of hard and/or soft legalism. This leads to a focus on abstinence (‘do not taste, do not touch, do not handle’ of Col 2:20-23), and being a self-reliant person who over-does (extra strict fasting, tithing, and ritual purity). Since deep in our hearts we all know that we fall short of God’s standards (Rom 3:23), there is a scrupulous emphasis on do-able but trivial behaviors that have to be done precisely the right way to earn merit. (2) Priorities and attitudes. The result is pride and self-righteousness because what is really vital, love for God and others, has been de-emphasized so the arbitrary and trivial standard could be met by self-willed discipline apart from an utter reliance on grace. Naturally, self is compared to less-strict others to feed pride and quench any nagging doubt about being righteous. Ostentatious displays of ‘righteousness’ further contribute to this. The self is ambitious about its self-directed (not Spirit-directed) agenda. Status is also sought for the recognition and assurance it brings. The attitude is overly serious because being overcareful is required to do things ‘just right’ so acceptance with God and advancement beyond others can be recognized. (3) Relationships. Given such scrupulous overcarefulness to cross every ‘i’ and dot every ‘t’, the ‘relationship’ with God is based more on fear of not being careful enough to measure up rather than being based on love. With a de-emphasis on love and a seeking for status, relationships are competitive and most others are treated with condescension, not love. ‘Love’ is reserved for things like status and money but only a conditional and self-serving ‘love’ is given to others. Proudly looking down on others and prioritizing trivial matters, there is an intolerance of differences on non-essential matters. Consequently, the Pharisee often becomes guilty of meddling in other people’s live as they seek to impose on them the extra burdens which they have imposed on themselves.
I would contend that all of us have at least some tendencies to act like the above picture of many Pharisees. The question, though, is are we truly committed to become less like these Pharisees and more like Jesus?