We often say that we do not appreciate preachers who tell us that we will go to hell if we do not stop sinning. However, even Jesus took the opportunity to condemn those who were guilty of sin. His messages were not always positive and uplifting. There are times when it is necessary to tell sinners what they are doing wrong in order to bring them to repentance.
In Matthew 23:15-39, Jesus continues to confront the Lawyers and Pharisees with their hypocrisy and lack of integrity before being crucified for our sins. He gives one part out of seven (eight, depending on how you divide it) warning against the practices of the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees. They don’t do what they teach. He attacks us for his lack of integrity!
Integrity in Truth – Matthew 23:15
Jesus accuses the lawyers and the Pharisees of making an effort to evangelize, but perverting them more than they were before their conversion. They will win someone over to their interpretation of Jewish Law regardless of whether it is what Mosaic Law actually teaches or whether what they are teaching is true. Protecting their way of doing things is more important to them than telling the truth and maintaining their integrity. Such an attitude is living a lie and a compromise of your integrity.
As Christians, we are witnesses of Jesus Christ. When we are more concerned with trying to make someone a believer in our denomination instead of simply believing in Jesus as his Lord, we are just as guilty as the Pharisees. Every denomination is man’s attempt to get right with God. These have good intentions, but they are made by man, not by God. Salvation is not found in one Christian denomination and not another. Salvation is found only in the truth of what Jesus did on the cross! Our integrity demands that we seek to discover the truth, not insist that our path is the truth. It is much better to change your beliefs for the truth than to defend a lie.
Integrity in Promises – Matthew 23:16-22
Next, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees because they think they can use (make a promise) in the Temple without consequence, but if they use the gold in it, they are bound by their oath. Therefore, they have easy excuses to pretend to keep their word and then fail to do so on this technicality. There are times when it is appropriate for us to promise to do something. Our integrity demands that we keep our word. It doesn’t matter if we stand for someone or something. If you say you’re going to do it, do it! Your integrity depends on it.
Integrity in caring for others – Matthew 23:23-24
The Pharisees are careful to give God 10% of everything, yet they have neglected the law and compromised their integrity by failing to show justice, mercy, and faithfulness in their dealings with others. God would rather they care more about helping other people than legalistic.
People and worshiping God in their hearts is more important than the amount of money they give. When we begin to think that we are more important than others and that they do not matter, we do not reflect the life or love of Christ. We are here to love God and serve others. Our integrity and testimony is exemplified in how we care about other people. Giving is an expression of worship, but if it is not done with love for God and neighbor, the giver is a hypocrite. People won’t remember you for the money you gave if they don’t see how much you really cared about people.
Integrity in their hearts – Matthew 23:25-26
Woe to the Pharisees and the lawyers, because they think that being clean in their outward behavior makes them clean inside too! Jesus tells them that it is what is inside of us that matters. It is their hearts and attitudes that exemplify or undermine their integrity. Your greed and selfishness does not reflect positively on your relationship with God. For them, money is more important than integrity.
Our outward appearance may be what people see first, but it is our inner character, our integrity, that they will truly remember us by. Does your life reflect the presence of Jesus or are you simply displaying outward behavior and hiding the sinful person you are when you think no one is looking? If you are more concerned with how you appear to others than your needs, then your integrity needs a serious overhaul. If you really love God and care about others, they won’t care about your appearance.
Integrity in Personal Behavior – Matthew 23:27-28
Jesus accuses the Pharisees and the lawyers of presenting themselves as clean and holy on the outside when they are impure sinners on the inside. A hypocrite is one who pretends to be something in the hope of impressing the people around him. They define themselves as having integrity, but their character does not reflect that standard. They are being two faces – hypocrites.
If people could see into your soul, would they see someone who truly loves God and cares about others, or would they see a cheap façade in an empty shell inside? Does your daily life and integrity reflect Jesus within you?
Integrity in Religious Convictions – Matthew 23:29-35
The Pharisees and the lawyers build tombs for the prophets who were killed by their ancestors. This is a testimony against them because they are also guilty of the death of those sent by God to warn them. They will continue to do the same by killing Jesus and those who come after Him. Their integrity is seriously flawed.
How can we continue to do things against God when we claim to be followers of Jesus Christ? What are we when we go to church every SONday, but sin like the devil from Monday to Friday? Is your integrity during the week reflected in your worship on ARE days?
God longs for our integrity – Matthew 23:36-39
Jesus concludes this diatribe with a lament for the city of Jerusalem. For hundreds, even thousands of years, God has sought a relationship with his people only to be rejected again and again. When I look at the state of some of our churches, I can only imagine how God must ache for the lack of respect for God and others in his integrity. God wants to have a relationship with you. You love him?
God bless you and have a great week!