Bible Questions and Answers

Luke 18:9 NKJV Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 ‘I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 "And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." 

The Pharisee’s two problems:

Problem 1 – They were proud, mistakenly thinking themselves to be righteous because they observed carnal ordinances (fasting and tithing).

Psalm 101:5 NKJV Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy; The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, Him I will not endure.

Proverbs 16:5 NKJV Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.

Luke 11:42 NKJV "But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

Isaiah 58:6 NKJV "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?

Problem 2 – They despised their fellow men instead of loving them and praying for them (as required by the Law)

Leviticus 19:18 NKJV ‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

Galatians 5:14 NKJV For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn