The Characteristics of a Pharisee

[Least]

Thought it would be interesting to look at some the characteristics of the biblical Pharisees.

1. The Pharisees were occupied with position and their own authority and to be seen as being special in the eyes of men.

How often do you see this today?

Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
Matthew 23:6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
Matthew 23:7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

2. The Pharisees were always looking for ways to accuse Jesus.

How often do you see this today?

Mark 3:1 And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.
Mark 3:2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.

John 8:3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
John 8:4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
John 8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
John 8:6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

3. The Pharisees bound heavy burdens on men.

How often do you see this today?

Matthew 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

The heavy burdens that they bound on others were not the Laws of God. But their own ideas based on their own righteousness and (natural) understanding. Jesus said that they had "omitted the weightier matters of the law, "Judgement, mercy, and faith;, these ought ye have done, and not to leave the other undone." But were they judging rightly? Not by His standards that are written, but by their own...yes natural legalists. And it's not different today among those who speak against any part of anything that God said. Instead, they root themselves in their own standards.

Isaiah 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Isaiah 58:7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

Matthew 23:1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
Matthew 23:2 Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
Matthew 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

The Pharisees "sat in the seat of Moses," Judges they were...even judges of the law.

Jesus said, "whatsoever bid you observe, that observe and do, but do not ye after their works."

It wasn't the Law that Jesus was speaking against, it was the actions, it was the works of the Pharisees that Jesus spoke against.

There's an account in the bible where Jesus healed a young blind man. The Pharisees put him and his family on trial, questioning them.

The parents respond to their questions, "he is of age, ask him," because they were afraid of being put out of the synagog.

They knew the unrighteous judgment that proceeded forth from the Pharisees, and they certainly were not going to walk right into their trap.

So the question is...who are the real Pharisees and legalists?

I submit to you, that it's not the ones that many are pointing at and calling legalists.

Isaiah 65:5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.

 

[GandalfTheWhite]

"The Pharisees "sat in the seat of Moses,"" interesting to know is that this phrase means to follow Moses. They "followed" the law of Moses but with their own twist and that is why Yeshua was angry with them.

 

[Least]

"The Pharisees "sat in the seat of Moses,"" interesting to know is that this phrase means to follow Moses. They "followed" the law of Moses but with their own twist and that is why Yeshua was angry with them.

Yep, This reminds me of the Passage where Moses's father-in-law comes to him and tries to help him ease the strain of sitting as judge over all the people.

Exodus 18:14 And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?
Exodus 18:15 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:
Exodus 18:16 When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.

Notice that Moses said, that they came to him to "enquire of God?"

He was definitely not judging with natural judgment.

 

[GandalfTheWhite]

Yep, This reminds me of the Passage where Moses's father-in-law comes to him and tries to help him ease the strain of sitting as judge over all the people.

Exodus 18:14 And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?
Exodus 18:15 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:
Exodus 18:16 When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.

Notice that Moses said, that they came to him to "enquire of God?"

He was definitely not judging with natural judgment.

Yes, the Bible calls Moses God's friend. What an amazing description.

 

[GandalfTheWhite]

Jer_31:18 I have surely heard Ephraim (the gentiles) bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke (Christians today): turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God.

Yeshua said,

Mat_11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat_11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

We think that the yoke/burden/law is heavy just like Ephraim (“multitude of nations" melo ha-goyim) did, but we can only be turned by God.

 

[john832]

Yes, the Bible calls Moses God's friend. What an amazing description.

Num 12:5 And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.
Num 12:6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.
Num 12:7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.
Num 12:8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

Kinda makes you wonder about these folks who consistently denigrate the Law, calling it the Law of Moses and proclaiming how terrible it is.

 

[JimmieD]

Thought it would be interesting to look at some the characteristics of the biblical Pharisees.

1. The Pharisees were occupied with position and their own authority and to be seen as being special in the eyes of men.

How often do you see this today?

Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
Matthew 23:6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
Matthew 23:7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

2. The Pharisees were always looking for ways to accuse Jesus.

How often do you see this today?

Mark 3:1 And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.
Mark 3:2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.

John 8:3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,
John 8:4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
John 8:5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
John 8:6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

3. The Pharisees bound heavy burdens on men.

How often do you see this today?

Matthew 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

The heavy burdens that they bound on others were not the Laws of God. But their own ideas based on their own righteousness and (natural) understanding. Jesus said that they had "omitted the weightier matters of the law, "Judgement, mercy, and faith;, these ought ye have done, and not to leave the other undone." But were they judging rightly? Not by His standards that are written, but by their own...yes natural legalists. And it's not different today among those who speak against any part of anything that God said. Instead, they root themselves in their own standards.

Isaiah 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
Isaiah 58:7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

Matthew 23:1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
Matthew 23:2 Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
Matthew 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

The Pharisees "sat in the seat of Moses," Judges they were...even judges of the law.

Jesus said, "whatsoever bid you observe, that observe and do, but do not ye after their works."

It wasn't the Law that Jesus was speaking against, it was the actions, it was the works of the Pharisees that Jesus spoke against.

There's an account in the bible where Jesus healed a young blind man. The Pharisees put him and his family on trial, questioning them.

The parents respond to their questions, "he is of age, ask him," because they were afraid of being put out of the synagog.

They knew the unrighteous judgment that proceeded forth from the Pharisees, and they certainly were not going to walk right into their trap.

So the question is...who are the real Pharisees and legalists?

I submit to you, that it's not the ones that many are pointing at and calling legalists.

Isaiah 65:5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.

The real Pharisees were a Jewish political-religious sect, and not easily defined as "legalists." Jesus and the Pharisees agreed on many things and even ate meals together. The Pharisees warned Jesus of danger. Some of the Pharisees became believers.
.

Luke7:36 Now one of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table

Luke11:37 As he spoke,a Pharisee invited Jesusto have a meal with him, so he went in and took his place at the table.

Luke13:31 At that time,some Pharisees came up and said to Jesus, “Get away from here,because Herod wants to kill you.”

Acts15:5 But some from the religious party of the Pharisees who had believed stood up and said,....​

.

Jesus and the Pharisees were on the same page on many things, such as divorce. The Pharisees of the House of Shammai would have totally agreed with Jesus:
.

Matt5:31 “It was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a legal document.’ 5:32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Mishnah, Gittin 90a: BETH SHAMMAI SAY: A MAN SHOULD NOT DIVORCE HIS WIFE UNLESS HE HAS FOUND HER GUILTY OF SOME UNSEEMLY CONDUCT, AS IT SAYS, BECAUSE HE HATH FOUND SOME UNSEEMLY THINGIN HER. BETH HILLEL, HOWEVER, SAY [THAT HE MAY DIVORCE HER] EVEN IF SHE HAS MERELY SPOILT HIS FOOD, SINCE IT SAYS, BECAUSE HE HATH FOUND SOME UNSEEMLY THING IN HER. R. AKIBA SAYS, [HE MAY DIVORCE HER] EVEN IF HE FINDS ANOTHER WOMAN MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN SHE IS, AS IT SAYS, IT COMETH TO PASS, IF SHE FIND NO FAVOUR IN HIS EYES
.​

The Hillel Pharisees and Jesus agreed on the two greatest commandments:
.

(Shabbat 31a) On another occasion it happened that a certain heathen came before Shammai and said to him, 'Make me a proselyte, on condition that you teach me the whole Torah while I stand on one foot.' Thereupon he repulsed him with the builder's cubit which was in his hand.When he went before Hillel, he said to him, 'What is hateful to you, do not to your neighbor:that is the whole Torah, while the rest is the commentary thereof; go and learn it.'
.​

They would have agreed on the resurrection of the dead (unlike the Sadducees), life after death, and a host of other things. It's too simplistic to paint the Pharisees as "legalists" and leave it at that. The actual Pharisees were a political-religious party that originated from the days of Hasmonean rule. There's more to be said about them than they were just a bunch of legalists.

 

[DesiredHaven]

We were just posting on this topic this week (6 days ago) here

http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/109147-modern-day-pharisees.html

It was a post started by AuphirahQueen called modern day Pharisees

I spent the majority of the day adding verses which show what the Pharisees did, if it can be helpful to anyone seeking out the same.

 

[Viligant_Warrior]

In reality, the Pharisees were the middle class. The average Pharisee had little education in the interpretation of the Law, so they relied on the scribes, who followed those Pharisees around who followed after Jesus, at first out of curiosity and later out of evil intent.

They were deeply concerned with following after the law and had thus separated themselves from the great mass of the populace, the ~[ #ra (am ha-aretz = people of the land) by their strict adherence to the minutia of their legal tradition. The vast majority of the Pharisees were laymen, yet a small number of the Pharisees were also Priests and Levites, who had committed to the Pharisaic ideals in order to help make pure more of the common people.

The sect of Pharisees is thought to have originated around 310 BC, in days preceding the Maccabean wars, when under Greek domination and the Greek effort to Hellenize the Jews, there was a strong tendency among the Jews to accept Greek culture with its pagan religious customs. The rise of the Pharisees was a reaction and protest against this tendency among their fellow kinsmen. Their aim was to preserve their national integrity and strict conformity to Mosaic law. They later developed into self-righteous and hypocritical formalists. Later they were among those who had condemned Jesus to death.

They formed communities in which they separated themselves from the ~[ #ra, each such commune led by a scribe who helped them interpret the Law. Apparently several of these "holy communities" existed within Jerusalem, where they could be seen by the masses and thus made their influence much more effective. Admission into these communities was strictly regulated. It was not easy getting into one of these communities, the prospect being first placed on a probationary period so his actions and commitment to vows of obedience could be observed and approved before full membership was granted.

The Pharisees were the most numerous and influential of the religious sects of Jesus’ day. The were strict legalists. They stood for the rigid observance of the letter and forms of the Law, and also for the Traditions. There were undoubtedly some good men among them, men who would be considered good neighbors and good friends by us today, had we the chance to know them But for the most part they were known for their covetousness, self-righteousness and hypocrisy.

Scribes were copyists of the Scriptures and because of their minute acquaintance with the Law they became recognized authorities. They were sometimes called "lawyers." Scribes and Pharisees were the religious leaders of the nation. The incredible influence of the Pharisees among the masses cannot be mistaken. They were the most honored in Judaism at the time of Christ, at the very time Christ won the favor of the people. All the more reason for the Pharisees to want Him dead.

 

[GracethroughfaithinChrist]

Trying to separate legalism from a Pharisee ....... is likened to trying to separate yeast from the dough.

"A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump."

 

[DesiredHaven]

Says purge out the old leaven

1 Cr 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

Paul was a Pharisee

1 Cr 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

1 Peter 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Become like little children, however,

1 Cr 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

 

[michael56]

A characteristic of a Pharisee?

Demanding of others what you do not attain to in your own life

 

[GracethroughfaithinChrist]

Trying to separate legalism from a Pharisee ....... is likened to trying to separate yeast from the dough.

"A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump."

Somehow the verse quoted here got mixed up with the epistle to the Corinthians.......dang how'd that happen

Says purge out the old leaven

1 Cr 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

Paul was a Pharisee

1 Cr 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

1 Peter 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Become like little children, however,

1 Cr 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

Oh that's good stuff to know too, thanks....... Btw the quoted verse was a reference to brother Paul's epistle to the Galatians seen here........

Galatians 5:3-10
3For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. 7Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. 9A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. 10I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

Talkin bout characteristics of Pharisees.......they sure did know how to twist things huh?

 

[Joshua_Generation]

Jesus gave us the definition of the pharisee's and religion in John 10.10

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Many beleive the thief here is Satan or the devil, but Jesus was not talking to his disciples here.
In John 9 & 10 Jesus was talking to the pharisee's and as such was describing religion and the pharisee.

We could re-write John 10.10 to say the below and it hits hard today as well.


Religion cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

 

[JimmieD]

The average Pharisee had little education in the interpretation of the Law,

Source?

The sect of Pharisees is thought to have originated around 310 BC, in days preceding the Maccabean wars, when under Greek domination and the Greek effort to Hellenize the Jews, there was a strong tendency among the Jews to accept Greek culture with its pagan religious customs.

The first time they are ever mentioned was in connection with Jonathan Maccabee. The Pharisees may have originated either from a dispute over the legitimacy of the Hasmonean High Priest or earlier from the murder of Onias III and the legitimacy of the high priesthood of his replacement, Jason. I don't think they originate from before the Maccabean war.

They formed communities in which they separated themselves from the ~[ #ra, each such commune led by a scribe who helped them interpret the Law.

They were in communes led by scribes? Source?

Apparently several of these "holy communities" existed within Jerusalem, where they could be seen by the masses and thus made their influence much more effective. Admission into these communities was strictly regulated. It was not easy getting into one of these communities, the prospect being first placed on a probationary period so his actions and commitment to vows of obedience could be observed and approved before full membership was granted.

Source?

The Pharisees were the most numerous and influential of the religious sects of Jesus’ day. The were strict legalists. They stood for the rigid observance of the letter and forms of the Law, and also for the Traditions. There were undoubtedly some good men among them, men who would be considered good neighbors and good friends by us today, had we the chance to know them But for the most part they were known for their covetousness, self-righteousness and hypocrisy.

Known by whom? Josephus speaks very highly of them. I don't think they were widely known for covetousness, self-righteousness, and hypocrisy. There were undoubtedly some who thought of them this way though.

Scribes and Pharisees were the religious leaders of the nation.

Technically the Sadducees were the religious/political leaders of the nation. The Sadducees were the majority of the priests (including the High Priestly family in Jesus' day) and Sanhedrin. The Pharisees hadn't really had power since the days of Alexander Jannaeus when the Pharisees demanded he abandon the High Priesthood, ultimately resulting in a mass slaughter of Pharisees. In any case, they didn't really hold power since that point, but they did retain influence among the masses of people.

The incredible influence of the Pharisees among the masses cannot be mistaken. They were the most honored in Judaism at the time of Christ, at the very time Christ won the favor of the people. All the more reason for the Pharisees to want Him dead.

How do you explain the conversion of Pharisees to Jesus if they wanted him dead?

Acts15:5 But some from the religious party of the Pharisees[SUP] [/SUP]who had believed stood up and said...

 

[DesiredHaven]

Somehow the verse quoted here got mixed up with the epistle to the Corinthians.......dang how'd that happen

You can mix the verses up as long as it speaks in accord with the topic of leaven (as it is defined) because leaven is addressed by Paul throughout most of his epistles.

For example, here, where they (together) are the lump, Paul says,

1 Cr 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

To here (its conclusion)

1 Cr 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Whereas the other one is found here (the one you quote) here...

Gal 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Gal 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

Gal 5:8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.

Gal 5:9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.


So both 1 Cr 5:6 and Gal 5:9 apply to the leaven, as would the natural characteristics of malice, and hypocricies, and the like in respects to the purging out of that within you as well as the judging those within and the putting the same away (and even from among) yourselves that wicked person. 1 Cr 5:13)

Oh that's good stuff to know too, thanks....... Btw the quoted verse was a reference to brother Paul's epistle to the Galatians seen here........

Galatians 5:3-10
3For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. 7Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. 9A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. 10I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

Talkin bout characteristics of Pharisees.......they sure did know how to twist things huh?

See above, in the one thing it doesnt matter because Paul is using the same exact saying in both places.

And yes, I agree, Jesus shows how they twist the law of Moses

Mark 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

Mark 7:10 For Moses said,
Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:

Mark 7:11 But ye say,
If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.

Mark 7:12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;

Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered:and many such like things do ye.

Paul didnt preach circumcision, the offense of the cross would cease if he did. Jesus said believe and be baptized not believe and be circumcised by the hands of men.

But you can see how in the same place both in 1 Cr and Gal (like in the above) it can say the same thing differently

For example, circumcision and uncircumcision shown this way...

Gal 5:11 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

And again this way...

1Cr 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

And shown here both in combination...

Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

 

[Least]

Jesus gave us the definition of the pharisee's and religion in John 10.10

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Many beleive the thief here is Satan or the devil, but Jesus was not talking to his disciples here.
In John 9 & 10 Jesus was talking to the pharisee's and as such was describing religion and the pharisee.

We could re-write John 10.10 to say the below and it hits hard today as well.


Religion cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

You got it! Exactlyyyy. And this religion...that is out to steal, kill and destroy has nothing to do with what the bible actually says is acceptable in the sight of God! But it's shown throughout the scriptures as well.

Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Matthew 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Matthew 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Matthew 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

A person couldn't even grasp these things really without knowing what they are referring to, and seeking it out prayerfully with Jesus who is the one who "opens what no man can close, and closes what no man can open."

John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

John 5:45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.
John 5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me.

Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

In a nutshell, the main characteristic in a modern day Pharisee is........HYPOCRISY!

Luke 12:1
In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

 

[DesiredHaven]

Luke 8:11 Now the parable is this:

The seed is the word of God.

Mark 4:14 The sower soweth the word.

Whereas it says,

Psalm 19:30 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

He says here,

Jerm 23:28 The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully.

What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.

But here it says,

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal....

Stealing his words is shown

Jerm 23:30 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.

Which is really the lust of your father ye will do likewise as Jesus says

Mark 4:15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

He appears as a angel of light, no marvel then that his ministers also be transformed into ministers of righteousness

John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

If you take Jerm 23:30 from that first verse unto the second after it it shows this...

Jerm 23:30 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.

Likewise, therefore...

Jerm 23:31 Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.

Which here, in a similtude of they which say "He saith"

Gen 3:1 Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

Which is in accord with the working of Satan (speaking a lie)

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal....

Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

Gen 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

Prov 30:6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

John 8:44.... When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Or like here, same paterns everywhere

Jerm 23:32 Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.

Jerm 3:16 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.

Prov 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Same picture can be seen going back and reading what happened here...

Jerm 28:15 Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie. (2 Peter 2:1)

2Cr 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

John 8:47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

2Cr 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

I tried to cut this a little shorter then it was in comparisons, but Satan is always standing before the woman, whether in the garden (after the word is sown) or in revelation before the woman ready to deliver, or ready to take the word sown in your heart, its the working of Satan to do that. Jesus said he abideth not in the truth no more then his ministers who do the same thing he does, which is to steal kill and destroy.

Word stealers

 

[popeye]

Traits are just traits.

The overall picture of endtimes is the spirit that they possessed back then is the same today.

THEY STALKED AND HATED THE POWER OF GOD. Namely the Holy Spirit.

These same people are here now on the planet. They are "men of God" that stalk and persecute those moving in the gifts.

They are in fact ANT-CHRIST.