Something Wrong Going On In Our Lives (Cont)
(2) JESUS’ love for the honour of His Father and the integrity of God’s word and His righteous indignation against those who dishonoured God and distorted His word by their practices (cf. 15:3-9; 23:13,15) was so great that it caused Him to use words like “hypocrites” (v.15), “child of hell” (v.15), “blind guides” (v.16), “fools” (v.17), “extortion and excess” (v.25), “whited sepulchers …uncleanness” (v.27), “full of… iniquity”(v.28), “serpents,…generation of vipers” (v.33) and murderers (v.34).
These words, though severe and condemning, were spoken with a broken heart (v.37) by one who died for those to whom they were addressed (cf. John 3:16; Rom 5:6,8).
(3) Jesus describes the character of hypocritical religious leaders and teachers as those who seek to be popular, important and noticed by others (v.5), who love honour (v.6) and titles (v.7) and who keep people out of heaven by their distorted gospel (v.13). They are professional religionists who appear spiritual and godly, but are really unrighteous (vv. 14:25-27). They speak well of godly spiritual leaders of the past, but do not follow their practices or their commitment to God and His word and righteousness (vv.29-30).
(4) The Bible commands believers to beware of such false religious leaders (7:15; 24:11), consider them to be unbelievers (see Gal 1:9) and refuse to support their ministry or have fellowship with them (2 Jn 9-11).
(5) Those in the church, who in the name of love, toleration or unity, refuse to share Jesus’ attitude toward those who distort the original teaching of Christ and the scriptures (7:15; Gal 1:6-7; 2 John 9) are participating in the evil deeds of false prophets and teachers (2John 10-11).
Conclusion
God hears the prayers of the righteous—His covenant people. A righteous person is one who is in right standing with God because he fears God, respects, worships, obeys, love and pleases him, and at the same time shuns evil.
Some reasons for unanswered prayers are unsprayed prayers, un-confessed sin, unbelieving mind, unrighteous motives, unresolved conflicts, unmerciful to the poor, husband ill-treating his wife, when the request is wrong, when the timing is wrong, and when something wrong is going on in our lives.
Prayer in Jesus’ name involves at least two things:
• Praying in harmony with His nature, character and will.
• Praying with faith in Him and His authority, and with the desire to glorify both the Father and the Son.
• Email: [email protected]. Facebook: Yetunde Mercy Olumide
