July 8, 2024 Daily Dose of Discernment

"The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So be careful to do everything they tell you. But don’t follow their example, because they don’t practice what they preach." (Matthew 23:2-3)

Thank God for faithful spiritual shepherds. But there are also unscrupulous ones. They are nothing new; they have been around since Jesus' time. Notice His command about our attitude toward them. He instructs us to carefully observe what they tell us, but don't do as they do.

God knows the weaknesses even of church leaders. He still uses them despite their sinfulness, just like us. But we should not make their flaw an excuse for disobeying them. Because they are in authority, we should follow them; but because they are not good examples, we should learn from their error. That is how the Lord wants us to conduct ourselves.