Like 12:1 Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
After reading the Bible and studying the Pharisees, I have decided that today we are strongly infected with the Pharisee Syndrome. It’s a scary Syndrome because it affects the Christian community–those that love the Lord but fall captive at the feet of worldliness. Before the victim knows what’s happening, they are full of hypocrisy, selfishness, and conceit.
“The Lord’s prophets have ever raised a warning voice against those who “draw near [to the Lord] with their mouth, and with their lips do honour [Him], but have removed their heart far from [Him].”
The Savior was understanding and compassionate with sinners whose hearts were humble and sincere. But He rose up in righteous anger against hypocrites like the scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees—those who tried to appear righteous in order to win the praise, influence, and wealth of the world, all the while oppressing the people they should have been blessing. The Savior compared them to “whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.”
In our day, the Lord has similarly strong words for priesthood holders who try to “cover [their] sins, or to gratify [their] pride, [or their] vain ambition.” When they do this, He said, “the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.”
Why does this happen? Why do we sometimes try to appear active, prosperous, and dedicated outwardly when on the inside—as the Revelator said of the Ephesians—we have “left [our] first love”?
In some cases, we may simply have lost our focus on the essence of the gospel, mistaking the “form of godliness” for the “power thereof.” This is especially dangerous when we direct our outward expressions of discipleship to impress others for personal gain or influence. It is then that we are at risk of entering into Pharisee territory, and it is high time to examine our hearts to make immediate course corrections.” -Dieter F. Uchtdorf
A few warning signs to look for if you have been affected by the Pharisee Syndrome:
Always looking for miracles and can’t see them in your own life.
What you say is contrary to how you act.
Judging others according to a check list, ignoring the purpose of the list.
Too busy to help others .
Too good to help others.
Your way is better than the Lord’s way.
Look down at others for their misfortunes.
Pick and choose what to believe according to what fits your life.
Can’t feel the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
Can see other’s wrongs but not your own.
Lessons and talks apply to others but you’ve already mastered it.
Spencer W. Kimball gives a great description of the Pharisee Syndrome. Those “who not only dispossessed him, but never understands. Stands above, who goes into the temple to pray “Lord I thank thee that I am not as other men are” worried about unwashed hands, to few Galileans who heal palsy hands and tutored minds and comfort broken hearts. Too many superior ones calling “ unclean unclean” as they pass by the deprived and leave them to suffer and there are too few will humble themselves and will ease the ways and give opportunity. Too many who strain at an atom and swallow a camel and too few who have judgement , faith, mercy and kindness for the unfortunate. There are too many who pray on their knees for a fulfilled periphery, and too few who let their hearts be softened and become nursing fathers and mothers to these down trodden people. Too many who subscribe conditions as just deserved too few willing to remove the curse, and to lift the struggler and forgive them. Too many priests who pass by in the other side of the road, too few good samaritans to bind up the wounds and pour in healing oil. Too many Levite’s who pull their robes about them and pass by away, too few who take them to the inn and get them tender treatment and care. Too many curiosity seekers and too few neighbors. Too many who push down and tread under, too few who lift, encourage and help. Too many goats and too few sheep. To many who exploit and profit by their misfortune and too few give the stranger their meat and drink and clothe his nakedness and visit him in prison.” ( I couldn’t find the text so I did my best to paraphrased from a talk by Spence W. Kimball 1953 called “Lamanites”)
A shameful example of unrighteous judgment comes from the parable of the lost sheep, when the Pharisees and scribes ill-judged both the Savior and His dinner company, saying, “This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them” (Luke 15:2)–they were oblivious to the fact that they were sinners themselves. Possessed of condemning hearts, the scribes and Pharisees never knew the joy of rescuing lost sheep. (The Righteous Judge. – Elder Lynn G. Robbins October 2016)
The closer we are to Jesus Christ in the thoughts and intents of our hearts, the more we appreciate His innocent suffering, the more grateful we are for grace and forgiveness, and the more we want to repent and become like Him. Our absolute distance from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ is important, but the direction we are heading is even more crucial. God is more pleased with repentant sinners who are trying to draw closer to Him than with self-righteous, faultfinding individuals who, like the Pharisees and scribes of old, do not realize how badly they need to repent. (That I Might Draw All Men unto Me”. -Elder Dale G. Renlund (April 2016)
The Pharisee Syndrome is common and spiritually dangerous, but easily remedied once discovered. The quickest way to heal from this soul darkening dysfunction is REPENTANCE. The first step of repentance is recognizing error, and having the desire to change. The Lord wants more than anything for hearts to soften, so he is very responsive to the desire for such repair. As you seek his help, pray to know what to do, and then make those adjustments immediately. If you fall back into old habits, don’t worry, God is still there ready to help. Just get back on your knees! Repent again, and continue the process change.
This week let’s see the hypocrisy in our own lives and work hard with the help of Christ to follow Him.
-Sherri Jorgensen
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