ESOCS Devotional 4 January 2021
TEXT: MATTHEW 23:13-22
MEMORY VERSE: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.“ Matthew 23:15 NIV
The scribes and Pharisees were a major distraction to people who were eager to know the true interpretation and meaning of the Law and the Prophets. The Pharisees made converts into their sects, both Jews and non-Jews. They were zealous about expanding the numerical strength of Judaism. However, their motives were selfish; they were not God-centred. It was simply racketeer for defrauding the converts. The drive was greed and the quest to enrich themselves at the expense of the converts. In the process, the came up with doctrines that contradicted the true principles that lead to godliness, moral integrity, uprightness, sincerity, righteousness, holy living, and closeness to God.
They prided themselves that they knew God, and that they were best at observing the Law and the Prophets, and in living by them. But this was mere pretentiousness. Matthew 15:9 says, “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (NKJV). They were teaching their converts man-made ideas rather than point them to God. This was contrary to what Christ was doing. He was pointing people to God as He interpreted and gave the true meaning of the Scriptures.
We should learn a lesson from the things the Pharisees did in their time, for Jesus condemned their attitudes. Wherever we find ourselves as leaders, we should teach people to have integrity, and know, understand, and practice honesty, accountability, and right living. The authority and power that God has given to leaders at all levels over people is to be used to “build [them] up” and “strengthen” them in several ways for their benefits, and not to misguide, destroy, or “tear [them] apart” (2 Cor. 13:10).
As parents, what kind of upbringing do we give to our children? The Bible says, “Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6 AMP); and “… bring them up [tenderly] in the training and admonition [discipline, good guidance, and counsel] of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4 NKJV).
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
Do we encourage people to live the right kind of life as they observe our lifestyle? Do we divert them from the ways of the Lord for any reason, including personal and selfish gains? Do we take advantage of people in their weaknesses, naivety, or times of need? How many people have we inspired to hunger for righteousness and the purity of their hearts and souls? How many people have we pointed to Jesus or led to Him? Do we disciple people at all or lead them deep into sin and
iniquity? Our Lord Jesus warned, “… It will be very bad for anyone who makes one of these little children sin. It would be better for them to have a millstone tied around their neck and be drowned in the sea. So be careful! …” (Luke 17:1-3 ERV).
These and many more are the questions we should ask ourselves constantly, as our dress rehearsal, for we would answer them before the Lord at the end of time, the time of judgment. Let’s not forget.
CHALLENGES
Who are you working for, God or the evil one?
PRAYER POINT
Holy Spirit, teach me how to lead sinners to Jesus.
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 10:10-20; 14:3-15; Revelation 17:7-18
Thank you for reading the ESOCS Devotional today. Please share and follow us on all our platforms to contribute to the spread of the Gospel.
ESOCS Devotional 4 January 2021
