Have you noticed that it’s possible to gain a lot of knowledge without having any wisdom? The criticism Jesus levels at the Pharisees in the “antithesis” section of the Sermon on the Mount has been driving that point home to me. The Pharisees approached the law seeking what they could get away with rather than seeking to love and obey God.

We can have all the knowledge in the universe, but if we don’t fear the Lord, the Bible calls us fools. The fear of the Lord is the necessary ingredient that turns knowledge into wisdom. In that way, our righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and the Pharisees.

Plus 10 rules for interpreting the Bible. The first 3 are the most important.

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September Podcasts

24 Matthew 5:17-20 Surpassing the Pharisees

In the second section of this sermon Jesus warns that our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. Unlike them, we must have a genuine commitment to the Scriptures and what they teach if we want to find life in the kingdom of God. We must seek to understand the full demands of the Law and want to obey it.

25 Matthew 5:21-26 Anger & murder

The Pharisees believe they are righteous because no court can convict them of murder. But Jesus warns that if courts were in charge of judging righteousness, then responding to others with unloving anger would get you arrested; and calling people insulting names would get you thrown into the fires of judgment.

26 Matthew 5:27-30 Adultery & Lust

The Pharisees consider themselves blameless before the law if they have refrained from physically committing adultery. But Jesus says righteousness requires more. It requires inward submission to the will of God and accepting the boundaries He has placed on your life, including your sexuality.

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