These Were The Sins Of The Pharisees

The Pharisees were a religious group in Jesus’ time known for their strict adherence to the Law of Moses. However, despite their outward appearance of righteousness, Jesus often rebuked them for their hypocrisy, legalism, and spiritual blindness. Their mistakes serve as a warning for Christians today, reminding us that faith is about a true relationship with God, not just religious rituals.

They Focused on the Letter of the Law, Not the Spirit

The Pharisees were obsessed with following religious rules but missed the heart of God's commands. Jesus called them out for neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness:

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone." — Matthew 23:23 (NKJV)

God desires obedience from the heart, not just outward conformity. The Pharisees made religion about rules instead of a relationship with Him.

They Were Hypocritical

Jesus frequently called the Pharisees hypocrites because they acted righteous in public but had corrupt hearts.

"These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me." — Matthew 15:8 (NKJV)

They were more concerned with appearances than true holiness. They wanted to be seen as religious leaders but did not truly seek God.

They Burdened Others with Legalism

The Pharisees created extra rules and traditions that made it harder for people to follow God. Instead of helping people find freedom in God's grace, they made faith a heavy burden.

"For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers." — Matthew 23:4 (NKJV)

Jesus, in contrast, offers rest to those who come to Him (Matthew 11:28-30). Faith is not about endless rules but about trusting in God’s grace.

They Rejected Jesus

The greatest mistake of the Pharisees was rejecting Jesus as the Messiah. They were so caught up in their own religious system that they could not see the truth right in front of them.

"You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life." — John 5:39-40 (NKJV)

Even though they knew the Old Testament prophecies, their pride kept them from accepting Jesus as the Son of God.

They Loved Power More Than Truth

The Pharisees enjoyed their status as religious leaders and saw Jesus as a threat. Instead of humbling themselves and recognizing the truth, they plotted to kill Him.

"From that day on, they plotted to put Him to death." — John 11:53 (NKJV)

Their love for power blinded them to the truth of the Gospel.

What Can We Learn from the Pharisees?

The mistakes of the Pharisees serve as a warning for Christians today. We should:

• Focus on a genuine relationship with God, not just religious rituals.
• Live out our faith with humility and sincerity, not hypocrisy.
• Emphasize grace and truth, not legalism.
• Recognize Jesus as our Lord and Savior, not reject Him out of pride.

Conclusion: True Faith Is in Christ Alone

The Pharisees were wrong because they turned faith into a system of rules instead of recognizing Jesus as the fulfillment of the law. Their downfall was their pride and unwillingness to see the truth. As Christians, we must guard our hearts against the same mistakes, remembering that salvation comes not through religious works but through faith in Jesus Christ.

Are you trusting in rules, or are you trusting in Jesus? Let your faith be about knowing and following Christ, not just outward religion.