Influencers Weekly Devotional

Abide with ME

Abiding Emotionally - Part Four

Beware of the Spirit of the Pharisee

Scripture: “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Cor. 2:14 Thought: In this passage we are given the sober truth that God’s man may very well be misunderstood because of lack of discernment. However, it is not the discernment of a man led by the Spirit of God that is in question. It is the discernment of the hearer. If the hearer looks at life, and even theology, through his “natural person” interpretation, he will miss the things that are of the Spirit, because he himself is not led by the Spirit. Sadly, this person often condemns those things he does not understand, as did the Pharisees in Jesus’ time. This work to discredit God’s laborer then becomes contrary to the work of the Spirit. Application: Omar Khayam, a 13th century philosopher spoke these words: He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool. Shun him. He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is a child. Teach him. He who knows, and knows not that he knows, is asleep. Wake him. He who knows, and knows that he knows, is a leader. Follow him. When Jesus lived His life on this earth, he had to face many obstacles in His path that He found necessary to overcome in order to carry out His mission. These obstacles were things like diseases, storms, and the need to feed 5000 people. One of the greatest obstacles to overcome was lack of faith. Most of His miracles were given to provide a reason to believe in Him. For those people who would take the step in trusting Him, this obstacle, too, was overcome. But no doubt, the greatest obstacle He faced was the spirit of the Pharisee, for these people demonstrated what true fools look like. As Omar Khayam said, it is a person “who knows not, and knows not that he knows not.” This person needs to be shunned. They were Christ’s avowed enemy, for He did not fit their “discernment” as to what the Messiah of God should look and act like. How could they have been discerning? They did not have the Spirit of God in them, and worst of all, they felt they didn’t need Him. They reasoned in their minds that because they were dedicated students and theologians, they had the religious things figured out. But in all their self-proclaimed righteousness and self-acclaimed discernment, they missed their Messiah and His Spirit altogether. That was then, but what about now? Does this same spirit of the Pharisee still exist? It is sad to say, but it does, and you will find it in the same place Christ found it. It is within those self-righteous people who are doing what the Pharisees did in Christ’s day, which is to attack and attempt to discredit the work of God. When God’s man takes his stand for Christ, you will often see the spirit of the Pharisee attack him. Why do we see these people surfacing within God’s family and attacking the work of the Spirit of God? Why wouldn’t they? We still have the same enemy of Christ living in this world. He is still the Accuser, and he will continue his accusing of the brothers (see Rev. 12:10) until his time ends. The Accuser has a willing instrument for his work with those “Enlightened Critics” who are not led by the Spirit and do not have an understanding of the things of the Spirit. Omar would see these people as fools, for they know not, and do not know that they know not. Worst of all, they think they know. So, how does God’s man deal with these critics when they attack the work God is doing through his life? It would be best to stay far away from them. These legalistic, modern-day Pharisees will rob us of the joy God wants for us, and they will try to lead us into their own dry bones condition, if we follow them. They will try to convince us that anything they do not understand or agree with is bound to be wrong. However, look closely at their life, instead of listening to what they say, and you will understand how their perspective works for them. You will likely see people around these critics who have been wounded and broken by them, often from their own families. These “watch-dogs” will say their work is to keep the Gospel pure. However, since they use their own discernment rather than that of the Spirit, they instead sterilize the Gospel and seek to make it lifeless. Their point of view is harsh, and methodical, without grace and mercy. Of course it would be, for mercy and grace are characteristics of the Holy Spirit, whom they deny. These “guardians” are prideful in the worst way, for their arrogance keeps them from comprehending a mysterious work of God’s Spirit. These people have no concept of a love relationship with Jesus Christ, for they process life through the Jesus of history, rather than the One who lives today. They will fault those Christians who do have a love connection with Christ and will call them emotional, irrational, and theologically incorrect. Although they say they know Jesus, they look, sound, and smell like the Pharisee of old. My suggestion for those “experts” who think they know, and say they know, but really don’t know is this: You need to get to know God and the way He works before you attack the work He does in other lives. You might know Him fundamentally and theoretically, but you need to get to know Him relationally. In your relationship with Him, you need to seek to know the work of His Spirit before you condemn it. Until you do, it would be best not to spread your perspective around, for you are doing more harm than good. The reason I share these things with you men is to forewarn you that this mean spirit exists, and if any of us stand for Christ, and live for Him, and are led by Him, we will be misunderstood. We will be accused of being off the “right path.” Expect this spirit of the Pharisee to come at you, for it came at Jesus, as well. When these people rise up against you, the best thing you can do for them is turn them over to the Holy Spirit. Allow God to defend you and deal with your critic. Do not seek to hurt or harm them. Simply dust your shoes of them, turn a deaf ear, and keep laboring in the harvest that you labor in. Perhaps one day these critics will come to understand that their work should be to become a “laborer” rather than attack those who labor. Unfortunately, for these foolish people, “who know not and do not know that they know not,” the only way they will come to understand this will be from the Spirit whom they deny. Reply: Father, I ask You to strengthen Your grip on Your man who is attacked by the modern- day Pharisee. Help him to remember that it was the same spirit that attacked You. As he walks the same path You did, help him remember that it was promised that evil would come against him as it did You. Keep him mindful that his battle is not against flesh, but rather with strongholds of evil and principalities of darkness. Evil is his enemy and not the people it uses. Help him to remember this, so that he will be quick to battle his true enemy, and not his instrument. Lord, I ask You to break through the arrogance in all of us, and allow us to see life through Your eyes. Then we might better understand the way Your children can be led astray and the true need of mankind. Help us remember the privilege that is ours to share in Your sufferings, for this reminds us of the great price You paid to redeem us. Savior, honor Yourself through our lives, and bring glory to Yourself, as You deliver us from evil. In Jesus name, I pray. Rocky TO DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THIS DEVOTIONAL, CLICK HERE