How to Spot a Pharisee

Handling Toxic Religious People

May 4th, 2008

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Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees. -Luke 12:1

Part 1 - Toxic Traits or How to spot a Pharisee

1. Legalism – living by rules instead of relationships
   The Pharisee was shocked and somewhat offended when he saw that Jesus didn’t wash up before the meal. -Luke 11:38
2. Hypocrisy
   They don’t practice what they preach. –Matthew 23:3
3. Guilt-Trips
   They pile up back-breaking burdens and lay them on other people’s shoulders – yet they themselves will not raise a finger to move them. -Matthew 23:4
4. Nit-Picking – Pointing out people’s mistakes
   The Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap Him in His words. -Matthew 22:15
5. Guilt by association
   The Pharisees complained that Jesus was associating with despicable people—even eating with them! -Luke 15:2
6. Insulting
   He who belittles and despises his neighbor lacks sense. -Proverbs 11:12
7. Flattery
   Flattery is a form of hatred and wounds cruelly. -Proverbs 26:28
   Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive innocent people. -Romans 16:18
8. Intimidation
   The Pharisees were on Jesus again, pressing Him to prove Himself to them. -Matthew 16:1
9. Gossip
   Anyone who spreads gossip is a fool. -Proverbs 10:18

Part 2 – What turns people toxic?

1. Envy
   It was out of envy that they handed Jesus over to Pilate.-Mark 15:10
2. Love of Money
   When the Pharisees heard this, they made fun of Jesus, because they loved money. -Luke 16:14
3. Bitterness
   Be careful that no one misses the grace of God so that no root of bitterness grows among you and makes trouble, because it can poison a large number of people.” -Hebrews 12:15

Part 3 – How to Handle Toxic Religious People

1. Realize it’s not about you
   If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. -Romans 12:18
2. Disconnect and let go
   The Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. -Matthew 12:14-15
   The disciples came and asked, “Do You realize You offended the Pharisees by what You just said?” Jesus replied, “Ignore them. They’re blind guides leading the blind.” -Matthew 15:12-14
3. Refuse to play their game
   “Then the Pharisees met together to think of a way to trap Jesus into saying something for which they could accuse Him. But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” He said. “Whom are you trying to fool with your trick questions?” Matthew 22:15-18
4. Set boundaries
   Freedom is what we have—Christ has set us free! Stand, then, as free people, and do not allow yourselves to become slaves again. -Galatians 5:1
5. Live for an audience of one
   We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. -1 Thesslonians 2:4