There is a tendency to become like the people you surround yourself with. As a Christian—a child of God who desires to live and think the way He wants—being around modern-day Pharisees is unhealthy for your spiritual growth.
So, what is a Pharisee in today’s context? Let’s break this down so you can identify one and stay away from them. Even better, my hope for this article is that it will help us recognize any Pharisaical attitudes in our own lives and encourage us to stop living and thinking that way.
In modern Christianity, “Pharisees” is a metaphor for people or groups who, while appearing devout or religious, often miss the heart of the Gospel. The original Pharisees in the Bible were a Jewish sect known for strict adherence to the law and traditions, but Jesus rebuked them for their hypocrisy, pride, and lack of mercy (Matthew 23).
Here’s how this concept translates today:
Legalism and Lack of Grace
Modern-day Pharisees often focus on rigid rules, rituals, or appearances. They lose sight of the grace and freedom we have in Christ.They may harshly judge others for not meeting their standards of “right living.” For example, they think less of Christians who:
- Don’t use the same Bible version they use
- Don’t sing or listen to the same kind of music
- Don’t belong to their church or denomination
Hypocrisy and Lack of Authenticity
Just like the Pharisees who “cleaned the outside of the cup but left the inside dirty” (Matthew 23:25), modern equivalents often project holiness while struggling with hidden sin or a lack of integrity.
Some display outward piety but still harbor gossip, pride, or unforgiveness. The Christian life becomes a guarded performance rather than an authentic, relatable walk with God.
Others are quick to point out the flaws of those around them while failing to see their own need for repentance and growth. Genuine self-awareness of one’s weaknesses produces humility and grace toward others. When you know how much you still need God’s mercy, you become less critical and more prayerful.
This doesn’t mean we ignore sin or doctrinal error—those must always be addressed. What I’m talking about here is the day-to-day life of faith. There’s no room for offenses against God and His truth, but there should always be room for grace and patience in the gray areas.
Pride and Lack of Love
The more modern Pharisees cling to their self-imposed standards of holiness, the less loving and compassionate they often become.
Instead of instinctively supporting those who are struggling or seeking, their first response is judgment and scolding.
It’s important to understand the difference:
- Rebuke is calling someone’s attention to an error using God’s Word as the foundation.
- Scolding is calling someone out simply because something doesn’t align with your personal opinions.
Misusing Scripture and Lack of Understanding
Another hallmark of modern-day Pharisees is using Scripture as a weapon—to control, shame, or oppress—rather than to point people to Christ.
When Scripture is twisted to enforce personal agendas or preferences, it ceases to reflect God’s heart and starts serving human pride.
- Using Bible verses out of context to win arguments
- Creating man-made rules and presenting them as God’s commands
- Shaming others for sins or struggles while showing no grace or path to restoration
This behavior is nothing new. Even in Jesus’ time, the Pharisees distorted God’s Word to maintain their authority and to burden people with impossible standards (Matthew 23:4). But God never intended His Word to be used as a tool of oppression or manipulation. Instead, His Word brings life, truth, and freedom (John 8:32).
The Apostle Paul warned about this in 2 Timothy 2:15:
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
To avoid falling into this trap, believers are called to study Scripture carefully and humbly, seeking God’s wisdom and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The goal of knowing Scripture should always be to draw people closer to Christ, not to elevate ourselves or to control others.
James 3:17 reminds us of what true wisdom from God looks like:
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
How to Keep From Becoming a Modern-Day Pharisee
The danger of the “Pharisee spirit” is that it can creep into any believer’s heart. If you spend time around someone with that spirit, you might start becoming like them. And if you recognize these traits in yourself, it’s time to make a change.
Here’s a spiritual “heart check” to guard against becoming a modern-day Pharisee:
1. Check Your Beliefs
Are your convictions truly grounded in God’s Word?
Are you handling Scripture accurately and responsibly?
Being a student of the Word ensures that your faith is based on truth, not tradition or preference.
2. Check Your Faith Life
Why do you practice certain habits in your Christian walk?
Are they biblical commands or personal preferences?
Where something is clearly biblical, continue in obedience. But where it’s preferential, don’t impose it on others as though it’s God’s law.
3. Check Your Truth, Grace, Mercy, and Freedom Levels
- Truth: Be unapologetic about clear, biblical truths.
- Grace and Mercy: Always leave room for God’s grace and mercy to work in areas that aren’t foundational to the faith.
- Freedom: Don’t put unnecessary burdens on others—or on yourself—that God never intended.
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