We continue our consideration of what it is the Bible tells us about the 'Pharisee'.
We have looked at the meaning of the name and also how the Pharisees were taken up with how they appeared unto men.

Now we will consider their links with the Saviour during His ministry.

Earliest mention in connection with the Saviour. Matthew 5:20. "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."

This is condemnation indeed! The Saviour states in this verse that the Pharisee, because of what he believed and practised, was going to hell. Yet no one believed that he was for heaven more than the Pharisee for he had complete faith in his works and religious acts.

Consider their continual and vehement opposition to Christ. They slandered Him most wickedly. "As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils," Matt 9:32-34. This was a most evil slander. They were saying that the Lord Jesus was in league with the devil and wrought miracles by the devil's power. This is a sin for which there is no forgiveness since repentance and faith in Christ come through the grace of the Holy Ghost. Therefore, if we offend Him then we deprive ourselves of the help of the only One Who can point us to the Saviour.

Oh beware of sinning against the Holy Ghost today and quenching His strivings with you.