You Might Be A Pharisee If ...

You Might Be a Pharisee If ...


"The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector." Luke 18:11 (New International Version)

If you are on the journey of preaching the GOSPEL to yourself, one of the things you will find yourself wanting to be is a "recovering Pharisee!"

It is amazing how easy it is for me to fit into that mold and not even be aware of it. In 2010 we will be having Dr. Harold Vaughn, President of Christ Life Ministries as one of our speakers for the summer THINK VICTORY weeks. He has a great list of characteristics to determine if ...

YOU MIGHT BE A PHARISEE IF:

1. You are glad you are better than others.

2. Your prayers are more like "self-talk" than speaking to God.

3. Your sins seem so small when placed beside the really BIG sins of others.

4. You rationalize that Christians who don't agree with you are all "compromisers."

5. You routinely dismiss anyone who would dare to point out a "blind spot."

6. You verbally rip apart the people who you disagree with.

7. You rehearse your virtues when you should be confessing your sin.

8. You take delight in checking off your religious "to do" list.

9. The standard you use to judge others is "you!"

10. Prayer is more about you and your perception than about God and His praise.

11. You assume your discipline and "preciseness" indicates true spirituality.

12. Your memory is excellent when it comes to remembering your good works.

13. You glory more in appearance than heart.

14. You are obsessed with externals, but blind to the internal reality of your own soul.

15. Outward righteousness is more important that heart holiness.

Well ... how are you doing? I will share more tomorrow. -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK and a recovering Pharisee.

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 8; Deuteronomy 4-6; Mark 11: 1-8

Great Quote: Do deeds of love for Him, to Him, following His steps. Believest thou in Christ? Do the works of Christ, that thy faith may live. Thou who sayest thou abidest in Christ, oughtest so to walk as He walked. If thou seekest thine own glory, enviest the prosperous, speakest ill of the absent, renderest evil to him who injureth thee, this did not Christ. Edward B. Pusey