LOOKIN' GOOOOD! (AND THAT'S THE PROBLEM)
- Key Verse
Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (Matthew 16:12)
READ TODAY'S PASSAGE-
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
We need to examine carefully the teaching of those in spiritual authority to see if it lines up with the Word of God and the heart of God. Just because people have a platform and a microphone doesn't mean they're right.
Reflections
The problem with what the Pharisees and Sadducees taught wasn’t just about their religious statements, but rather the even deeper difficulty of what their words and actions taught about what a Yahweh-follower looked like. The dark, self-centered hearts of the Pharisees and Sadducees produced dangerous teachings and examples. Their hearts were focused on external appearances, ranging from the Pharisees’ legalistic rule-keeping that made them feel justified in judging anyone else who didn’t follow the unwritten “tradition of the elders” (Matthew 15:2), to the Sadducees’ focus on the worldly and political influence they wielded.
That “leaven” is just as present today. My heart is heavy with the newly shared burden of a friend who grew up as an MK (missionary kid) in South America. Her best friends were other MKs, but several of them disappeared from the mission field with no good-byes and no explanations (and no Internet for maintaining contact) because someone in the family had fallen; a teenager got pregnant, or a dad fell in adultery. There was no room for repentance and restoration because “the ministry” (code for “external appearance”) was more important than the people.
Another friend’s marriage was severely strained by his mean, controlling, verbally abusive behavior. When his wife insisted on counseling, the counselor told this seminary graduate, “You’re a 24-karat gold-plated Pharisee. All show on the outside, but your heart is dark, angry, and hurtful.” Those were words of life to my friend, who wanted his heart to be solid gold, not just the outside plating.
In our family we are still healing from the wounds of someone in ministry who used other people and devious means to inflict great pain while continuing to look innocent and godly on the outside. We heard from a stream of others who had experienced the same knife in the back. This is why I deeply appreciate Watermark’s values of transparency, authenticity, and commitment to leading Christ-followers to submit our hearts to the Lordship of Jesus instead of just looking good on the outside. Because leaven stinks—and it hurts.
Discussion Questions
1. If you submitted to a moral x-ray, would the films reveal a disturbing darkness in your heart? Where should your heart be?2. If others look at you and think, "Oooh! Shiny!," is that because of lookin' gooood on the outside, or because Jesus is shining out from the inside?
3. Have you been wounded by someone who continued to look great to everyone else while inflicting pain on you? Would you be willing to submit that wound to the healing of the Great Physician and allow Him to help you forgive the offender?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Jesus warned His disciples about people who would teach them wrong things. How can you decide if something is wrong teaching?
brandy kilpatrick-patterson
February 24, 2010 10:27 AM
Wow Sue! That was an OUTSTANDING devo...and probably very much needed to read by many who have been wounded by the shiny...we are all so tarnished. I'm humbeled that God loves me enough and continues to strip the shiny from me that's not of Him. The refining is so hard. Makes me stop and think before we're careless with words and actions. It does hurt. # 3 got me...and yes I have and It sometimes is a daily surrender. But that keeps me close to Him. Te
brett
February 24, 2010 11:20 AM
I am the newest member of the Sue Bohlin fan club. I am truly humbled by our time together in Burundi. You are my new hero of the faith. Loved watching you and Ray during this very hard trip. Love the devo too. I am too quickly attracted to the "shiny" things of this world. Thanks for the great reminder. "Amahora" my friend.
John Cox (no the other one)
February 25, 2010 06:34 AM
Well said.
Shannon Saunders
February 25, 2010 06:38 AM
Thank you Sue for a wonderful devotional this morning.
Christman
February 25, 2010 07:00 AM
Mrs. Bohlin you are infectious and I am a fan of your club - the club of "Christ!" Thank you for your honesty and insight this morning. It is refreshing. I'm praying that God removes the pain from the "knife in your back" as well as all persons reading this hear not only your words but the "heart" behind them. Christman
Ray Bohlin
February 25, 2010 07:28 AM
Great devo as always. Your perspective is always enlightening and propvacative, even after 35 years together. As you rightly point out, the leaven of the Pharisees must be discerned in our own hearts as well as in those around us. Submitting the hurt to him (#3) is a daily process indeed and the journey is sometimes long. But I "press on" as Paul affirms in Philippians 3 getting closer day by day.
patti Jones
February 25, 2010 07:43 AM
Wow, Sue! Powerful!!! you could be president of ...Geeks who love the Lord, write good stuff!!! thank you! this "journey" today, touched my heart!
Susan Coy
February 25, 2010 08:21 AM
Powerful my friend...solid gold stuff. Miss seeing your smiling face on a regular basis and your shiny-self....inside and out. Welcome home!
Bill Simmons
February 25, 2010 08:26 AM
I am a Ray and Sue Bohlin fan club memeber. Great lesson Sue and I am glad you both or back home.
Lisa
February 25, 2010 08:53 AM
Hi Sue. I don't know you at all, but you hit the nail on the head this morning!! I "grew up" in the Lord in a ministry very much like what you described. My husband and I were even in "minsitry". It was devastating to our family. I am so grateful that we are out of that now and at Watermark. Thank you, God, and thank you, Sue, for your honesty and courage to say what was scary for me to say for almost 30 years!!! I'm not crazy after all!! (Well, maybe just a little.)Again, great message.
Jan Hankinson
February 25, 2010 08:54 AM
Imagine my smile when I opened my computer this morning to the Journey to find your picture before me. I needed a few words from "home." As usual, you get right to the meat of the message. I know you, as well as many others have been hurt by pharisee - like people. How that must sadden our Father. Thank you that in your position at Probe, you are always humble of heart and willingly submit to your Father, even though I'm sure it would be easy to just be "shiny" in your role. Love you, sister! Glad you're back from Africa!
Valerie Davis
February 25, 2010 09:47 AM
Such a great devo Sue - thanks! And I'm so thankful you came to Watermark! You are a blessing to so many and I'm glad I know you.
PJ
February 25, 2010 09:50 AM
Hi Sue, This was very insightful and spoke straight to the heart. For me this just a great reminder of how we should always live our lives where we walk the talk in our Lord. And before we go to correct others look into our own hearts first on where we stand in our true relationship with our Saviour. Thanks for sharing.
Blake
February 25, 2010 10:20 AM
Sue, I love that you and Ray are at Watermark. I have learned a ton from both of you and am encouraged through your ministry and example.
Aaron Graft
February 25, 2010 10:21 AM
Add me as another member of the Sue Bohlin fan club! It's always a pleasure to see you. Your smile and loving heart always encourage me. Thanks for the great devo this morning.
Robert White
February 25, 2010 10:23 AM
Sue Bohlin is not just a geek, but a spiritually sensitive one! Thanks for the adrenaline shot to my "heart." I hope your attempt causes a pride purge.
Patricia Simmons
February 25, 2010 12:25 PM
I love me some Sue Bohlin! I get to share life with you through our community group and Phase 2...how blessed am I? Thanks as always for being a "light" in a sometimes dark world. Your wisdom and insight make me a better person. God is using you in a mighty way, my sweet sister.
Ann Piper
February 25, 2010 12:30 PM
Great devo, Sue -- at least until you got to question #3 on forgiveness. Ouch! Thanks for the great reminder to pray for greater willingness to let God shape the inside of my life and make my desires consistent with His Word. And to forgive others for being just as inconsistent as I have been at times. Thanks a wonderful reminder of Truth. Your devoted fan club member, Ann Piper.
Sherry Rabinek
February 25, 2010 12:40 PM
Sue, not only your words, but your life models before me, an authentic follower of Christ, a woman of "great faith". Thank you for telling it like it is and spurring us on with the truth.
Ann Holford
February 25, 2010 01:23 PM
Sue-Loved your Journey entry this morning! Thanks for being transparent instead of trying to be "shiny!"
Brian Bellanger
July 15, 2010 11:10 AM
Just what I needed to hear. Thank you