I guess the question is, aren't we all Pharisees to one degree or another?

As I browse the boards, there is understanding of the Word and there is misunderstandings. In all of this, we incite the "knowledge" we possess with great exuberance. We diligently try to get our "point" across to anyone who will listen. Isn't there a touch of, "I want people to know my understanding of the Word"?

Even though that may not be the initial reason why we post, but doesn't it seem like it could be deep within us to have recognition?

Just an observation.

There are some misunderstandings; there are also some interpretations that could be seen by any one person as a good understanding of the verse/passage/Bible as a whole or as a slight or large misunderstanding. There is no way any one of us as a human can completely know all of the absolute truth of God... there are some things we can't fully understand, and those things we have to pick apart to understand for ourselves as best we can.

On that note, yes, we are all guilty of fighting a bit too much over some unimportant issues. But at the same time discussion is not a bad thing... it spurs growth, inspires rethought, and for those who fortunately have enough of a mind to take into consideration anything said and test it not against "what seems/feels right" but against what the Bible says and what God's character is, it could change some minds in the right direction.

Plus, since none of us has a direct line to God's mind and doesn't know absolutely for sure that all their opinions are Truth, there's going to be some discussion on some issues. Nothing wrong with that... it doesn't always have to be "changing someone else's mind to conform to mine;" it can be simply trying to understand another view. :)

Good point. I have to catch myself sometimes to make sure I'm commenting for the right reasons etc. I know I have not completely held fast to every comment I've made, since some have made valid points that led to a deeper diving into the word.

We diligently try to get our "point" across to anyone who will listen. Isn't there a touch of, "I want people to know my understanding of the Word"?


I can't speak for everyone, but I know that I don't post to show off my "spiritual muscle". I know that there are things I don't know, and I know that what I know may not be complete. As I grow spiritually, I know that there is still alot for me to learn. But at the same time, I have a good knowledge of the scriptures. I can discuss a point and not be a pharisee, and just because I stand firmly on my point doesn't mean that I am a pharisee either.

I also don't post so that people will just read my words, but that people will listen to a spiritual insight that God may have given me, either through spiritual thought, education, or experience. I know that I may also be incorrect, after all I am a human cursed with a sin nature. Are my words divine, nope but God might use me (or Xon, or Unshackable, or Skynes...) to deliver his message.

I'm not saying that anyone who posts is a pharisee. I was just going deeper into the "inner recess" of our hearts and minds.

There has to be some issues of pride. I think we all deal with it. Whether it's great or small.

I have different reasonings for different posts. Some posts are made out of curiosuty to hear other people's views, some is for me to learn, some is just for to tell people what I think of something (sometimes waaay off too but, mweh. I'm not perfect :P)

I probably do have a bit of pride here and there, I don't notice it if I do though. I tend to have an intense dislike of pride, I know for certain that I did have pride before and it all it caused was alot of destruction and almost lost me friends.

I don't really wanna be a loveless, arrogant, self righteous, God disobeying, rule breaking sack of filth anyway. Pharisees aren't very nice... :P lol

Consciously, I post because I like debate. Unconsciously, I like to exercise, and sometimes show off, my "intellectual muscle". I know that if anybody is impressed with my intelectual brain, then the'll forget about it very soon. And then in a couple years the bords will get closed down, and all will be forgotten... and as I get older I am no longer proud of what I wrote in the past, because I realise it wasn't all that great...

But "spiritual muscle" is not measured by how well we debate. I think we can all agree on that.

We are all hypocrites any way if that is what we mean by pharisees.

well the simple answer to your first question is i think yes. i dont know about me personaly on the message board being a pharisee,but i can say when i put my two cents in if i have or am struggling with the same thing i confess to the same fault,but beyond the message board i can say we all to some extent as you would say do tend to act in the manner of a pharisee wich i belive is just a result of not continualy asking ourselves WWJD now that i read my bible more i see that my first reaction to a situation might seem like the right and logical thing to do but then i realize that its the total opposite of what jesus would do.so i admit sometimes i can be a bit of a pharisee.

I don't know bout any of you but personally I don't like this WWJD thing... In my mind its implying the question "What would Jesus do if he was here right now" but since he IS here in our hearts shouldn't the question more be "What DOES Jesus do?" :P

Anyway back to the topic, sometimes when I read my older posts I say to myself - What on earth was I thinking!? I sooo do not agree with that anymore. I think it's good to look over old posts and old prayer requests to see how much God has done and how much you have learnt since then.

Good point about WWJD. The way I felt the Lord lead me to this was, if Jesus where in this exact situation, then What would Jesus do?

I still live by this, but now in a different perspective. Now it's more like, do what Jesus is doing. In order to know what Jesus is doing, we have to walk like He did on this earth. He was in consistent prayer and fasting. This drew Him closer to the Father. This allowed Him to always do what the Father was doing.

I don't post out of pride cuz I realize how small I am.
When I post in the Hill I usually try and just look up what the bible says and stick with that. We all need to examine ourselves. I'm sure that it is completely unitentional on your part but you have started only 2 threads in the Hill both with the same idea "what are we doing wrong". One thing my pastor says that I try and keep in mind when posting is "when you point your finger at someone remember that you have 3 fingers pointing back at you".

After the fiasco and confusion of the last thread I don't blame Jerid for starting a new one ;)

when you point your finger at someone remember that you have 3 fingers pointing back at you
Both my church and I are well aware of my faults and slip ups. Alot of them happened within the church building. If I were to point fingers, I'd get decimated. :P

I don't mind ppl pointing out mistakes and errors in things I've said and posted, just as long as its not an attack on me. I think it's good to have Christians of different areas of the world comment on the things I've said. I've learned alot since joining these boards, alot of which has been due to little debates and discussions etc.

I agree bout the confusion in the other thread. My post is just an observation. And if fingers were pointing they would be in my direction for sure. I don't know that I've learned alot from the boards. Some things I already knew and others if I'm unfamiliar with the verse I'll look it up. It's nice to be pointed in the right direction to look. What's really interesting is I have learned that you can sometimes tell what denomination or leaders different people on the boards follow(I know I've stated that before). I do like the Hill, I'm in here more than any other section.

What denom do u think I am then?

I seem to spend alot more time in here too. Easier to follow than the arcade! That place can change every 5 secs.

skynes with you I don't know. so far your posts sound well thought out and biblically based. Generaly when it comes to reading posts you can get an impression of what denom or leaders someone follows. It's an interesting observation, nothing more, but not something that I would want to post speculations on. That would be on the border of beginning gossip. And I don't want to go there. I don't mind if someone guesses about me but I wouldn't take it any further than that....

I'm a bit to long winded for the Arcade!!!!!!! lolol

skynes with you I don't know.

Muhahahaha. I am just a freak of nature ;D

so far your posts sound well thought out and biblically based.
Thanks for that.

That would be on the border of beginning gossip.
Wouldn't be gossip with me since I actually asked you to guess.

Actually I don't have a denomination. I just see no point. It puts up instant barriers between you and ppl who disagree with that denom or the whole idea of denoms. I just stick with Christian and no more.

Wouldn't be gossip with me since I actually asked you to guess.


Tis cool. I know what ya mean I just didn't want anyone to get the idea of starting a thread about it. I would worry about where that would go and would not want to be responsible for it.

Prolly cud turn out quite nasty... :P