A Daily Purpose

Bible Study & Devotional Day 162

Written by: Torrie Slaughter

Guiding Scriptures: Acts 8:3, ‘But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.’

Proverbs 17:1, ‘Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.’

🔴Better Than

Is it possible we still have pharisaic attitudes leading in the church today?

Yes. 

Before Saul’s conversion, he attempted to destroy churches and the spread of the Gospel with great uproar. I believe these invasions were loud, showy, and terrorized the hearts of those weak in their faith. How could a man who claimed to love God hate His Son, Jesus? 

Educated by Gamaliel, a well-respected Pharisee leader in the Jewish Sanhedrin, Saul’s plight to rebel against God is a manifestation of his training.

When we don’t value the different options, we have we may fall to Satan’s schemes.

He is here but to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). How do we identify the modern-day Pharisees in our church? By their fruit. While Jesus eventually transformed Saul, it did not come without pain, division, and destruction. Pay attention to attitudes within leadership and go to the Lord in prayer. 

The wisdom literature of King Solomon’s Proverbs was the direct contrast between wealth and poverty- promoting contentment over material wealth. As José Ortega y Gasset accurately teaches, “Tell me to what you pay attention and I will tell you who you are.” –This informs us to listen to the patterns within the conversation; it will indicate what a person’s heart desires.  

‘No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.’ Matthew 6:24

Rebellion is loud, stubborn, selfish, and destructive. If you are the villain or the victim, seek God’s guidance and ask the Holy Spirit to speak directly to your heart. It is better than the alternative. 

Prayer: Lord, there is no God like you in all the heaven and earth. Thank you for keeping your covenant of love with your servants. Lord, please help us to worship You in love and truth wholeheartedly. Keep us close to your Word. Teach us to recognize internal threats that destroy the power of your Kingdom. No weapon formed will prosper, for You have the ultimate authority. Increase our faith that we may stand firm and move to swift action to protect those you have called unto You. Amen