Characteristics of Men of God who do not Know God

The HARD TRUTH with Dr. Kennedy Musonda, Ph.D.

It is absolutely clear when you read Matthew 23 that Jesus was very harsh to the Scribes and Pharisees. These were men who were highly revered and respected in society. From society’s perspective, these men were the epitome of what it meant to be Men of God. They maintained the highest standard of the Law. Everything they did was up and above the required standards. They made their phylacteries wide (Phylactery are small leather boxes containing Hebrew Scriptures that Jewish men wore during morning prayer). Not only did they make their garments long, but they also made their prayers long (Matthew 23:5, 14; 6:5).

When Scribes and Pharisees fasted, they surely made it evident to everyone that they were fasting. They looked miserable and disfigured their faces for observers to admire them for their fasting (Matthew 6:16). They loved to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called by others “Rabbi” or “Papa.” They also liked to walk around in flowing robes. They loved the most important seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets (Matthew 23:7; Luke 20:46). Looking at the behavior of some Men/Women of God today, the hard truth is that it is like the days of the Scribes and Pharisees are back. Where is the servant leadership that Jesus instituted?

Jesus exposed and rebuked Scribes and Pharisees for the wrong perception of themselves, hypocritical behavior, negative attitude towards others, and misuse of the Law. Jesus used harsh language against them in the presence of people in whose eyes they wanted to show off. In Matthew 23:13-35, Jesus called them blind guides, blind fools, hypocrites, children of murderers and murderers, white-washed tombs or graves, serpents, and a generation of vipers (inkulo ya nsoka). How could Jesus, who was so approachable by everyone, including the rejects of society: prostitutes, thieves, tax collectors, and other sinners (Luke 5:29; Mark 2:15; Matthew 21:31), use such strong language? It was because the Scribes and Pharisees were hypocrites, whose only medicine was an open rebuke.

One of the reasons Jesus rebuked Scribes and Pharisees was their wrong perception of themselves. Jesus said that “Scribes and Pharisees sit in the Moses’ seat” (Matthew 23:2).  In other words, they claimed to be Moses’s successors and authoritative proponents of God’s Law. It is like they deserved the same respect as Moses had. They assumed authority over men as if they were to depend on them. They claimed titles that denoted power, eminence, superiority, a right to command, and a claim to respect, which only belong to God. Many of today’s clergy are preoccupied with titles of honor.

As Servants of God, we should not demand respect but instead, earn it. Even though the Bible commands believers to obey and submit to their leaders because they watch their souls (Hebrews 13:17), it does give leaders the right to take the place of God. Today, there are tendencies in some Charismatic and Prophetic ministries and in some Pentecostal churches to take the place of God directly or indirectly. Some religious leaders have taken the Old Testament prophetic ministry model and have made their members dependent on them as if they cannot hear from God independently since they also have the Holy Spirit. Some members even pray in the name of God of their prophets as if they are also not children of God. Like the Scribes and Pharisees, some leaders have made themselves indispensable to people like they, and not Jesus, the way to God. It is like blessings reside in them and that without such leaders, God cannot bless them. Not every person who is in ministry has done for the right reasons. Some are in church to serve their selfish interest while others are there for the money (Philippians 1:15-16; Romans 16:18). A Christian should not blindly follow every preacher because he or she has performed a miracle because not every miracle is performed by God’s power. Believers are not supposed to follow after miracles, but miracles should follow after them (Mark 16:15-17).

Author: Dr. Kennedy Musonda an international development consultant holds a Bachelor and Master of Social Work, a Bachelor of Arts in Theology, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies, a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and a Ph.D. in Business Administration.

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