Dr Paul Allen

Curses Against the Pharisees (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees , hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.” ( Matthew23:27 ) “Beauty is only skin deep” seems to be the modern secular equivalent of this “woe” in Matthew 23 . The corresponding Old Testament statement is probably this: “As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion” ( Proverbs 11:22 ). This principle has lasted for millennia simply because it is easily observed in all cultures. Our Lord ’s application to the scribes and Pharisees was particularly pointed: “Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” ( Matthew 23:28 ). God is not interested in the “pretty outside” but in what’s on the inside. “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his s...

Matthew 7:15-20 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits " ( vv. 15-16a ). Following His call for us to pursue the narrow way that leads to salvation ( Matt. 7:13-14 ), Jesus warns us to beware of false prophets in today's passage ( vv. 15-20 ). Just as there are two ways, one of salvation and another of damnation, so too are there only two kinds of teachers: true ones and false ones. Being able to distinguish these teachers from one another is vital if we want to promote our spiritual well-being. Otherwise, false prophets will lead us to destruction. Recognizing prophetic impostors is not always easy, but Jesus says the fruit of their teaching helps us evaluate our instructors ( vv. 15-16a ). Some buckthorn bushes in Palestine produce black berries that look like grapes from a distance, and certain thistles have flowers that appear to be figs. However, a close inspec...