PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 16

What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?

“To guard against… the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:12)
What was dangerous about the teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees?
Jesus challenges the religious leaders for their hypocrisy (Matthew 23:13ff).
That is, they spoke one way but lived another, not practicing what they preached.
“Do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. (Matthew 23:3)
He also challenges them about having rules without heart (Matthew 15:8-9).
In other words, they were not motivated by love, despite their knowing scripture.
“If I can fathom all knowledge but do not have love, I am nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:2)
Their teaching was heartless and hypocritical, and therefore dangerous.
We need to guard against heartless and hypocritical teaching, especially our own.
Are we judging others for things that we ourselves are guilty of (Romans 2:1)?
Are we using scripture in a way that justifies ourselves, why accusing others?
Jesus dealt with many sinners in his time, but the religious ones were the hardest.
They were certain they were right, which is what made them blind (John 9:40-41).
Be on guard against arrogant confidence, it leads to crucifying Jesus.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, the religious leaders were certain they were right, yet they were wrong. Let this thought alone keep me from the arrogant certainty that I am right. May my heart and mind be open and teachable, reading to be convicted and corrected.