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

Monday, August 7, 2023

[Jesus continued,] "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 new to Christianity 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 seeking superiority turn faith into legalism and corrupt the Good News message of Jesus. The way they live their religion drives away people who are seeking God and breaks the Good News message 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 have areas where they need to grow in their obedience to God, let's be there to help, not to 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 their struggles 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

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 11:52 NLT — [Jesus continued,] "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."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, August 7, 2023

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'The Good News' (1 Co. 15:1-4)
"Dear Father, God of the living, Thank you for the Good News that Jesus Christ, your Son, is risen from the dead. Thank you that by it I am saved and...."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Lies Disguised as Truth' (1 Ti. 4:1-2)
"The Spirit says clearly that in later times some believers will desert the Christian faith. They will follow spirits that deceive, and they will..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'The Commission, the Promise' (Mt. 28:18-20)
"Then Jesus came to [the eleven disciples] and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,...."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
1 John 5:14-15
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask..."

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!