[Melian]

Uh, no. If you’ve been reading my posts, you will see that I am saying only Christ can offer the harsh criticism He gave the Pharisees. The rest of us are not perfect and cannot sit in judgment of others.

We are all pharisees in one way or another.

[MHGinTN]

“If you’ve been reading my posts, you will see that I am saying only Christ can offer the harsh criticism He gave the Pharisees.” Is your Bible missing the letters from Paul? ... The Douay Rheims has them don’tchaknow. Paul was at times very harsh regarding the ‘judaisers’, a parallel to Mormonism of today’s culture.

[Colofornian]

If you’ve been reading my posts, you will see that I am saying only Christ can offer the harsh criticism He gave the Pharisees. The rest of us are not perfect and cannot sit in judgment of others.

Melian, I appreciate your spirit, and your ready citation of Scriptures. We always need more scripture citations. But you're unbalanced. You've seemed to cherry pick those Scriptures that only meet with whatever filter you've established -- and rejected the rest -- which would inform your stance. Let me just cite two from the NT (I could go on all day citing OT "imperfect" prophets to underline the exact same point):

So, Melian, what do you do -- or what do you say -- about these words uttered by these imperfect people?

Stephen:
51"You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him— 53you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it." 54When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit... (Acts 7:51-55) [Of course, Stephen went on & got stoned for this...who are you, Melian, to rule out WHO is or isn't speaking under the direction of the Holy Spirit?]

Apostle Paul:
1You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? 3Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? 4Have you suffered so much for nothing—if it really was for nothing? 5Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? (Gal. 3:1-5)

[Elsie]

If you’ve been reading my posts, you will see that I am saying only Christ can offer the harsh criticism He gave the Pharisees.

I've been reading the BOOK, and found that not to be correct...

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KJV Philippians 2:5
  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

 

 

NIV 1 Peter 4:11
   If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

 

 

 

 

NIV Luke 17:3
  So watch yourselves.   "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.

 

 

NIV 1 Timothy 5:20
   Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.

 

 

NIV 2 Timothy 4:2
   Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.

 

 

NIV Titus 1:13
 This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith

 

 

NIV Titus 2:15
  These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.