Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

How can we guard our hearts from becoming self-righteous or judgmental like Pharisees?

To guard against becoming self-righteous or judgmental, we can cultivate humility, practice empathy and self-reflection, and focus on grace over legalism.

Follow these examples:

1: Acknowledging our own imperfections, struggles, and need for grace prevents us from adopting a "holier-than-thou" attitude. Recognising that everyone is a work in progress fosters a sense of shared humanity rather than perceived superiority.

2: Actively seeking to understand the experiences, challenges, and perspectives of others can build compassion and break down judgmental barriers. Instead of quickly judging someone's actions, try to understand the potential underlying reasons or pain.

3: Emphasising forgiveness, grace, and mercy, both for ourselves and others, is a powerful antidote to a legalistic, performance-based mindset. This approach values relationships and redemption over rigid adherence to rules.

4: Questions to ask might include: "Am I quick to criticise?" or "Do I focus more on others' sins than my own?"

Sadly, the Pharisees were often more concerned with outward appearances and public perception than with genuine inner transformation. Focusing on personal spiritual growth and a sincere heart prevents the hypocrisy that leads to self-righteousness.

By practising these principles, individuals can foster a more compassionate and understanding heart, avoiding the pitfalls of self-righteousness and judgment.

When Jesus referred to the Pharisees as white washed graves, what did Jesus mean when he said that the scribes and Pharisees resembled "whitewashed graves"?

Recorded in Matthew 23:27, Jesus denounced the scribes and Pharisees as hypocrites and told them: "You resemble whitewashed graves, which outwardly indeed appear beautiful but inside are full of dead men's bones and of every sort of uncleanness."

According to The Jewish Encyclopedia, the marking of graves was done to protect against defilement of "the numerous pilgrims who traversed the roads at the Passover festival." The law recorded in Numbers 19:16 stated that everyone who touched a dead body, a human bone, or a burial place would be unclean for seven days. Ceremonial uncleanness prevented the Israelites from participating in acts of pure worship, on pain of death. (Leviticus 15:31)

Jesus told this illustration just days before the Passover; thus, annual tomb-whitewashing would have been fresh in his listeners' minds. 

Jesus' point was that his religious opponents were not what they outwardly appeared to be and that contact with them was spiritually defiling.

Conclusion:

Guard against becoming self-righteous or judgmental; cultivate humility; practice empathy and self-reflection; and focus on grace rather than strict adherence to rules. Surrounding ourselves with trusted friends or mentors who can gently point out blind spots or judgmental attitudes provides an external check on prideful tendencies.

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