False Leaders (long article, but worth the read)

JESUS' RESPONSE TO FALSE LEADERS

Read Matthew 23:1-33

v2 "Pharisees sit in Moses' seat", assuming his authority, and demanding similar respect and obedience which they don't deserve.

v3 "for they say, and do not." They don't practice what they preach.

v4 They burden the people with legalism.

v5 "But all their works they do for to be seen of men." They are hypocrites.

v6 "And love . . . the chief seats in the synagogues," Some churches have unwisely adopted the policy to seat the leaders above the other members (James 2:1-4).

v7 "to be called of men, Rabbi" Run from anyone demanding to be called apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher, or any other title.

8-10 Jesus explains that only God is to be exalted; and we are brethren.

v11 "But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant."

v12 "And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."

v13 "But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!" They aren't going to heaven, and they block the way of those who would.

v14 "Woe hypocrites! . . . ye shall receive the greater damnation."

v15 "Woe hypocrites! . . . ye child of hell"

v16-22 "Woe blind guides" who don't recognize it is God's presence which sanctifies the temple and the gifts offered therein.

v23-24 "Woe hypocrites!" who legalistically tithe spices (the only time Jesus mentions tithes) but omit the rest of the Law: judgment, mercy, and faith.

v25-28 "Woe hypocrites!" who put on an outward showing of righteousness without first being cleansed within.

v29-32 "Woe hypocrites!" who say you would not have killed the prophets, yet you are truly the offspring of those who did.

v33 "Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?" Answer: they won't. Jesus was not a member of the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem, yet he boldly confronted them. He is our example of how to confront hypocritical leadership in the church. Even though Jesus was sinless, they accused him of being a glutton and a drunkard by association, and of being insane and demon-possessed. If we are standing against lies with the truth, we should expect all our sins to be paraded before us as well as false accusations. We must be assured of our forgiveness and boldly confront the hypocrisy of false leaders.