Jesus and the religious leaders | Calling a spade a spade

Calling A Spade A Spade

Some think that it is wrong to point out false teachings and other kinds of evil and to call names, let alone to name who these false teachers are! Is this what we read in the scriptures?

In the scriptures, Jesus many, many times had serious confrontations with the religious leaders of his time. In fact it was the religious leaders who ultimately called for his death. (As mostly is the case......same is true for today) All through His life, they were waiting for the right moment.

“…For this cause therefore the Jews sought the more to kill Him,

because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also called God

His own Father, making Himself equal with God. John 5:18

“Some therefore of Jerusalem said, Is not this He who they

seek to kill? And lo, He speaks openly, and they say nothing

to Him…” John 7:25-26

“And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might

put Him to death; for they feared the people. Luke 22:2

“Now after two days was the feast of the Passover and the

unleavened bread: and the chief priests and scribes sought

how they might take Him with subtlety and kill Him…” Mark 14:1

“But the Pharisees went out, and took counsel against Him,

how they might destroy Him Matt12:14

“So from that day forth, they (the chief priests and Pharisees

and council) took counsel that they might put Him to death. John 11:53.

Jesus called the religious leaders of His day "whited sepulchers", "fools", "blind guides", "hypocrites", "serpents", "murderers", "a generation of vipers," and many such names. Jesus spoke this way to the religious leaders throughout His ministry. He virtually had nothing nice to say about them. But yet there are many in the church today who say that Jesus never spoke this way.

Read Matthew Chapter 23 again and see what it says. Jesus’ words, in practically the entire chapter, are directed at the scribes and Pharisees.

Do you think that Jesus would speak to the church leaders today in the same way?

Does Jesus change? Have the church leaders changed? Yes indeed. They’ve gotten worse!

You know as well as I, that if Jesus were to return today, there is not one church on the face of the earth who would hire Him to be their “Pastor”. Not one! And why is that? Because people today do not want to hear the truth. Their church leaders are fine outstanding men who deserve to be followed, thank you!

The scriptures speak of things getting worse and worse, and if you read carefully, it’s not talking about the world, but the church and the leaders in the church!

To be sure, when it came to the common people, Jesus was the "Humble Servant.” His ministry to them was marked with compassion. He “was moved with compassion for them.”

He gave the gospel to them.

He fed them.

He healed them.

He wept with them.

He spoke gently and mildly to them. “Martha, Martha,"………"Simon, Simon."

He identified with the people and knew many were distressed,

as sheep not having a shepherd.

When it came to the common people, Jesus ministered to them in meekness and gentleness, as His words showed.

But when it came to those in the church; when it came to the “great ones”; when it came to the church leaders and so-called experts in the law, something changed.

His ways, His mannerisms, His countenance, His words “EXPLODED.”

In all of His confrontations with the church leaders, you could see the difference in His whole attitude, especially in His words. Jesus was exposing their evils. He was exposing their false teachings and hypocrisy like no one ever did before. And in so doing, many others were starting to “see the light.”

His words were as the voice of a trumpet.

Likewise today, there is much evil lurking in many churches and in those in positions of “church leadership.” The unbiblical authoritarianism and spiritual abuse within the ranks of the so-called “eldership” is rampant.

The hijacking of many marriages by these wolves in sheep’s clothing resulting in the destruction of many lives is evil beyond words.

To speak of these atrocities in anything less than an angry, forceful tone would be almost impossible. Anger doesn’t have to be sin, just like God’s anger that is mentioned probably hundreds of times in the scriptures, is not sin.

Perhaps the time has come for some others to express a little anger at what is going on with these wicked shepherds who are killing and scattering God's flock for their own power and glory and ego!

Perhaps the time has come for some others to express a little anger at these spiritual monsters who deliver their poisonous and blasphemous theology to so many unsuspecting souls, parents, and innocent children.

Yes, as we speak, there are many WHO KNOW what is going on.

As we speak, there are those in the church today who would readily stand up and say “NO” to the spiritual bullies and to flee from them and to deny them their control over them! Yet, for some, they also know that to do this would only invite persecution and a living death. So they remain.

But wouldn’t you rather suffer the former than to lose your soul and deny your Savior and Heavenly Father?

Many choose serving their spiritual bullies, thinking all the while they are serving their Lord.

Some also think that it’s wrong to name these people. They call it “spreading evil” or "trying to restrict this evil to only certain individuals and places." As has been said over and over on this website, this is a world wide evil that is taking place.

And what do the Scriptures say of this anyway?

Look through the letters of the Apostle Paul. Many times he mentions specific individuals by name.

Galatians 2:11ff “But when Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him

to his face, because he was to be blamed……and I said to Peter before them all….”

1 Timothy 1;19ff “…which some made ship wreck concerning the faith, of whom are Hymeneus and Alexander…..”

2 Timothy 2:17ff “…and their word will have growth like gangrene – of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus, who missed the mark concerning the truth…”

2 Timothy 4:10 “…for Demas deserted me, loving the present age…”

2 Timothy 4:14-15 “Alexander the coppersmith showed many

evil things to me. The Lord will give to him according to his works.

You also guard against him, for he greatly resisted our words.”

In 3 John verse 9, John named Diotrephes as one who does not receive the brothers, but throws them out of the assembly.

Jude exposes the errors of Balaam in verse 11.

In Revelation Chapter 2, twice the Nicolaitans are singled out and the warning is given concerning their works and their teaching.

And there are many from the Old Testament too.

We are living in a day when false teachers and their dastardly deeds abound. A faithful messenger will warn those in the churches. They will identify these churches by name, as well as their "leaders," calling a spade a spade. Just like the Lord Jesus did; just like the Apostle Paul did, and others as well.

People’s lives are being destroyed. Marriages are being destroyed. It’s not enough to just “generalize” a situation or play games and “hint” at what is being said. Are there any faithful messengers around anymore?

Ken Cascio

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