In today’s study, Selwyn discusses Pharisaism – perhaps, if I can first say a few things about Pharisees. At the time of Jesus, and while the temple in Jerusalem was still standing; we know from historians like Josephus that ‘the Pharisees were considered the most expert and accurate expositors of Jewish law’.  A point to keep in mind is that debate about the interpretation of Jewish law within the group, was active and there were often different schools of thought within their ranks – usually centred on the leading rabbis (e.g Hillel, Shammai), of that era. The point I’m making, is that there were a range of views held within the group – Jesus was highlighting the problems with some views; and, a number of scholars now agree, that some Pharisees would not have had a major concern regarding Jesus’ viewpoint, on Jewish law.

In discussing issues like this one, it’s important that we don’t become legalistic ourselves. [As an aside, I find it hard to understand why there are still pockets of people who dislike Jews, or for that matter, different Christian denominations. People, who express a general 'dislike' against members of groups that are different to theirs - are doing the work of Satan.]

Selwyn writes: “Those who take the escape route of superior attitudes are in essence really no different from (those) Pharisees whom Jesus so roundly challenged. It is interesting to note that many secular training manuals on counselling refer to a defence mechanism – what we call an escape route – which they term ‘Pharisaism’. This is how one such manual describes it: ‘Pharisaism occurs when an individual becomes increasingly self-righteous (thinking themselves better than others because of what they do or don’t do religiously) to avoid becoming aware of their own feelings of inadequacy or inferiority.’

These words from Luke 11:39-42,52 (NIV), provide an excellent summary of what Jesus was condemning: ‘Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But now as for what is inside you – be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you. Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. … Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering. … “

These people were keen to parade their ’purity’ in public, while their hearts were full of greed and wickedness. I think, it’s exactly the same today; people are very keen to demonstrate their ‘political correctness’, but their hearts are full of anger, greed and lust.

Do you agree?

I thought that this was an interesting study, Selwyn writes: “Next we consider a rather more subtle escape route down which we may run when faced with unpleasant reality – the adoption of superior attitudes. Since we will inevitably feel inferior and inadequate whenever we avoid facing up to an issue, the personality helps us compensate for these feelings by assisting us to develop an aloofness and superior disposition.

One of the characteristics of those who have extravagant notions about themselves is they go around regarding others as foolish.

… we need to be willing regularly to open our beings to God, and pray the prayer that is before us today: ‘Search me, O God, and know my heart … See if there is any offensive way in me’.”

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians 2:1-3 (NIV), we read: “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, … “

We also see, something similar, in Peter’s first letter (5:5b-6, NIV): ” … All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

I think that the development of superior attitudes can be controlled by cultivating, with God’s help, an attitude of valuing others above yourself. Perhaps a good way of keeping this issue in focus, is to have a time of reflection set aside – say, once a week, where you examine your feelings towards those people with whom you have had some interaction during the previous week. The idea is to catch and control, the development of superior attitudes, before they grow to become a permanent part of our personality.

Any comments?

Selwyn starts today’s study with: “Three days ago we said that denial is one of the most popular escape routes down which people run when they are confronted by difficult or unpleasant reality. … Sadly, denial keeps us away from God, for whatever is true must be accepted, integrity means having a system of living that never requires us to deny what is before us. We need not exaggerate what is before us, we need not minimise what is before us, but we need to acknowledge frankly and honestly what is before us.”

Later on, in the study, Selwyn makes a connection between those Christians who deny reality and those who hold, strong dogmatic views. [From an on-line dictionary: dog·ma·tism (noun): Arrogant, stubborn assertion of opinion or belief.] I’m not so sure that such a generalisation is useful – sure, there would be some Christians who are caught in a trap of denial, and are also very dogmatic, regarding their views. However, as mentioned on previous days, I think fear has a lot to do with people wanting to avoid the realities of bad things happening to ‘good‘ people. People, who are driven by fear can lack the confidence to express any definite views, so I think both outcomes are possible – dogmatic stubbornness in some; and timidity, in others. What do you think?

I liked the key verse for today, (Psalm 86:11), ‘Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth … ‘.  It’s good because it illustrates, once again, that to take this sort of issue – dealing with reality – to God in prayer; opens up our heart to God’s teaching. Jesus loves us and you can trust that He will lead us along the narrow path.

Any comments?

Selwyn continues to focus on denial. He writes in today’s study: “We are still thinking about denial – the escape route we take when we distort, disguise or disown a situation or refuse to recognise its existence. In denial, we persuade ourselves that the particular stress or whatever we are facing does not exist and, as a consequence, there is nothing to cope with in that area. Denial, like most escape mechanisms, is a defence against fear – the fear of not being able to deal with a situation that has occurred or is likely to occur. …

Another form of denial, or a rather more extreme form, is the refusal to acknowledge what others say or do. … “

In the cases mentioned above, fear arises when we have doubts about the strength of God’s love. We know from Scripture that we will never be tested, in any way, that’s greater than what we can bear. The reality is that troubles will come our way; we cannot live like young children with no sense of the difficulties that life will bring. We should never entertain the thought that if God loves me then nothing bad will never happen to me. Because, in the Bible we are told that we will suffer in various ways: we will suffer because of the consequence of living in a fallen world, where sickness and disasters always occur; and, we will suffer in varying degrees because we follow Jesus.

Psalm 25, is simply a beautiful Psalm, here are the first 11 verses (NIV): “In you, LORD my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.

Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, LORD, are good.

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant. For the sake of your name, LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great. … “

In prayer, we can ask Jesus to clearly show us the issues that we are trying to avoid and to seek His guidance on how we can manage these difficult times, which we will all face.

Any comments?

Selwyn continues to examine the escape mechanism of denial.

In today’s study, he draws specific attention to the issue of failed prophecy.

He writes: “I know of whole communities of Christians who are dazed and confused because prophecies made by seemingly reliable and mature Christians clearly have not come to pass.

I am convinced there is a pure stream of prophecy and healing flowing through the Church, but I have to say that some of the statements I have heard coming from the lips of Christians in the guise of prophecy appear to me to be immature and irresponsible.

Many things can contribute to this: a failure to discern between God’s voice and their own inner feelings; a desire for impact or prominence; or, even a longing to exercise greater faith. But the one common denominator in the extremism I am here describing is, in my opinion, a failure to recognise and deal with reality. Appearances mean nothing if they are not undergirded by truth.”

I’m not too sure how this topic of failed prophecy and the escape mechanism of denial – actually come together; either human prophecy comes to pass – or it does not, happen!

First off, I must say that I entirely agree with Selwyn when he states that there is a pure stream of prophecy and healing flowing through the Church. This ministry of the ‘Holy Spirit’; especially, in regard to healing - did not end with the death of the apostles.

I also agree with his statement that one of the main reasons for failed prophecy is a person inability to discern between God’s voice and their own inner feelings; it often appears a naturally good thing for God to do – to restore an ill person’s health. Usually, we want this outcome so much that we adopt this desire to the extent, we start to believe that God will do it – even though He has not said that He would.

I believe that God’s voice in the area of prophecy is clearly heard by His intended audience – that is, when He speaks directly to our spirit, there’s no doubt that it’s God, who has spoken. The Holy Spirit, through prayer helps us to discern the truth. Jesus loves us too much to leave us in a state of guessing about if we’ve heard His voice; or if what we heard, was a creation of our imagination. Our God in not One, who plays guessing games.

The verses, 1 Peter 4:12-19, set for reading and meditation were good, but I really enjoyed the previous 5 verses (1 Peter 4:7-11, NIV): “The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

It’s interesting, in regard to prophecy: I do believe that the end of all things is very, very near. Yet, really – this should not change how we live our life – we should already be living, as if it was the last day.

Your views?

I think Selwyn introduction, sums up today’s study, in a very concise way; he writes: “Now we start to examine what I consider to be the most popular escape route that Christians run down when they are confronted by harsh or unpleasant reality – the escape route of denial. We duck down this escape route whenever we disguise or disown an unpleasant situation and persuade ourselves it does not exist.”

When we deny the existence of an unpleasant reality – it removes from our mind,  the pressure, to do something about it. In the end, it doesn’t solve anything – the problem is still there and will make its presence felt in a variety of ways. More importantly, Jesus loves us so much that He will always find a way for our attention to be brought back into focus – so that we can see the issue, and then seek His assistance in dealing with the problem.

In many cases, the unpleasant reality has something to do with relationships between family or friends – there is often, a fear that if anything is done to resolve the issue then ‘it would only make matters worse’. And, perhaps there is some sense in that position if we were only operating with our own strength and discernment – but we have a God who is continuously working to turn our unpleasant issues into life-changing events – events, that can mould us into His image. So, we can face these difficulties – knowing that we have Jesus preparing a  worthwhile path for us to follow. To act – however, requires a strong trust in God’s perfect love.

In Matthew 16:21-27 (NIV), we read: ‘From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. … ” ‘

These verses illustrate that sometimes the unpleasant realities of life, must be faced – to do nothing at these times, is really allowing Satan, an entry point.

In a very real way – we may be asked, to risk exposure to embarrassment and shame, in the eyes of other humans; to undertake what God wants us to do, for His Name.

Any comments?

In today’s study Selwyn talks about how God works in replacing our bad feelings with better ones. His main point is that while God will answer our prayers, but we often do not see a complete and instantaneous response from God.

He writes: “God is not a quick fix that immediately cancels out any unpleasant feelings that arise within us. Instead God supports us to bear those unpleasant feelings and brings along side them more acceptable and pleasant ones. Facing harsh and unpleasant reality can and will hurt – never forget that. In time, however, the presence and power of the Holy Spirit who resides in your heart will bring you comfort and control.

God’s solutions to life’s problems are sure solutions, but they are not always instant solutions.

Let us be clear on this issue lest we present to others a faith that is not consistent with reality.”

We should always be mindful that God does not ‘think’ in the same way as we do; in addition, our intellect is flawed and our ability to analyse our situation and act in accordance with God’s will, is hampered by our sinful nature. However, we can depend totally on God’s love – when His help is urgent, as seen through His eyes, He will immediately act. Nothing catches God by surprise – He knows in advance – what sort of help you will require and when it’s the best and perfect time to deliver assistance.

I like the following verses from Isaiah 55:8-13 (NIV): ‘ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.

This will be for the LORD’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.” ‘

These verses are fantastic in that they tell us that God’s Word (His actions in our world), will never fail – they will always achieve His intended purpose. It is God’s nature – to love us – and He loves us – with a love that endures forever. How great is that?

There will never be a time in your life – when God’s love is not focused on you. I find that thought, to be an amazing comfort while on this journey of following Jesus. Do you agree?