Do you realize that many of the Pharisees were God-loving, God-fearing, honest and honorable men? Paul was a Pharisee. So was Nicodemus.
Other Pharisees, however, got caught up in power and in enforcing traditions that had developed through the ages as though they were the Word of God.
If you will read the Gospels, you will see time and again that Jesus spent much of his ministry setting them straight, showing them that a believer’s obedient heart trumps man-made rules and regulations.
Matthew 15: 8-9 — “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
Those to whom I referred as modern-day Pharisees are those who clutter the simple truth of God’s Word with man-made rules, imposing them on believers as did those religious rulers in the time of Christ. Since it didn’t occur to me that you might be one of them, I was not referring to you.
Your meaning was very clear in your usage. It was a slur.
“Matthew 15: 8-9 — “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
Thank goodness the Catholic does not do that. Goodnight.