What Jesus Did! 'Religious Superiority Before Spiritual Encouragement?' — Luke 11:52

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

[Jesus said,] "What sorrow awaits you experts in religious law! For you remove the key to knowledge from the people. You don't enter the Kingdom yourselves, and you prevent others from entering."
— Luke 11:52 NLT

Key Thought

Unfortunately, some who are caught up in a religious movement have the genuineness of their faith squelched by a group desire to be religiously superior. Rather than encouraging, helping, and blessing those who are newer in the faith, these folks who are seeking superiority turn faith into legalism and corrupt the hopeful message of the gospel. The way they live their religion drives away people who are seeking God and breaks the spirit of those who are new to the faith. Let's always make sure that we don't impose demands God doesn't require. Even more, when folks find areas where they need to grow in their obedience to God, let's be there to help and not criticize.

Today's Prayer

Father, please forgive me for the times I've not stuck close enough to new Christians. Give me eyes to see and a heart that is willing to help those who are new in the faith. Use me to be a load-lifter and load-bearer for these new disciples, not a load-imposer. In the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Colossians 1:28-29
  • Galatians 4:19
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8

Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Enemies into Friends' (1 Ti. 1:16-17)
"Dear Father, king of the ages, Thank you for the cleansing of our sins through Christ. Thank you that you take people who are in outright opposition...."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'We Are Family!'
"Dear Brothers and Sisters, While there are many things you can learn from Paul's message to the Thessalonians, today I want you to notice the warm..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'God's Guarantee Bring Us to Praise Him!'
"The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God Speaks, and Doors Open at His Command'
"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one..."

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 11:52 NLT — [Jesus said,] "What sorrow awaits you experts in religious law! For you remove the key to knowledge from the people. You don't enter the Kingdom yourselves, and you prevent others from entering."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!