Today's Favorite Verse: John 18:28

Today's Favorite Verse: John 18:28
"Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover."

This is rathering shocking. The Jewish leaders were concerned that they did not defile themselves before the passover, yet they would falsely accuse Jesus to have him put to death. That's giving the appearance of being religious and righteous, but rotten on the inside.

"The hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders was put on display when they led Jesus to Pilate to be judged. They would not enter into the hall of judgment, which was a Gentile structure, because doing so would make them ritually unclean and they desired to eat the Passover meal the next day. Yet at the same time, they were willing to falsely accuse Jesus before Pilate and seek His death
(New Testament Student Manual, Chapter 27:John 17-19)

Day 4139

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 11:28

Today's Favorite Verse: Mark 11:28
"And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?"

This is something the chief priests, scribes and elders asked of Jesus. Now in this chapter Jesus did not tell them by what authority, because he wanted them to answer him first on if the baptism of John was from heaven or men. The scribes could not say, because they feared either option. In doing so neither would Jesus tell them.

I pondered on how their question was a good one, and similar to a question the Lord would have us ask when faced with false spirits, false teachers, and hypocrites. It is important to know if those trying to lead us actually have the authority and have been ordained to do so.

"Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question—unto what were ye ordained?"
(Doctrine and Covenants 50:13)

Day 4092

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 12:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Doctrine & Covenants 12:8
"And no one can assist in this work except he shall be humble and full of love, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate in all things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to his care."

The word that came to mind is hypocrite. To try and assist in God's work without humility, love, faith, hope, charity, temperance or care, one would smell of hypocrisy. I thought of those that have fallen away because they found such among men in the church of God. It is a sad thing and much will fall upon their heads when the Lord judges them. None of us are perfect and have much to work on, but to be lacking in all areas they would be a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Day 3601

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 17:7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: Mosiah 17:7-8
"And he said unto him: Abinadi, we have found an accusation against thee, and thou art worthy of death.
For thou hast said that God himself should come down among the children of men; and now, for this cause thou shalt be put to death unless thou wilt recall all the words which thou hast spoken evil concerning me and my people."

It took king Noah and his priests three days to come up with a reason they should put Abinadi to death. I pondered on how the stated cause and how he could redeem himself didn't fit. The supposed great offense was because he said God would lower himself to come to earth. That wasn't what bothered them though. It was what he had said about their own wickedness and judgments to come. They were supposed priests, so they had to find something "religious" to make him seem worthy of death, but couldn't state the true cause they wanted to kill him. They were still trying to give the appearance of being priests. If the great offense had been what he said about God they would have had him recall those words. They really were hypocrites.

Day 3432

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 John 1:7-8

Today's Favorite Verse: 2 John 1:7-8
"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward."

This made me think of how its only Tuesday and twice now this week I have had friends tell me stories of how they were approached from seemingly "good" members that are delving into really strange things, and tried to make them join too. As I listened all I could think of is how ignorant these individuals were of what lessons are learned from the Old and New Testaments. God warned his people over and over to not get involved in worshipping these false gods. It's littered with needing to destroy their groves were they worshipped. Just like the early church Satan is working overtime to destroy, and we have to be so careful. Ultimately, Satan did win and the apostasy overcame the primitive church. The difference is this time the entire church will not apostatize, but that doesn't mean everyone survives. We have had warnings in our day.

"Behold, verily I say unto you, there are hypocrites among you, who have deceived some, which has given the adversary power; but behold such shall be reclaimed;
But the hypocrites shall be detected and shall be cut off, either in life or in death, even as I will; and wo unto them who are cut off from my church, for the same are overcome of the world.
Wherefore, let every man beware lest he do that which is not in truth and righteousness before me."
(Doctrine and Covenants 50:7-9)

When someone says they have knowledge to share and it sounds nothing like you've been taught in church you need to do as the Lord advised.

"Wherefore, I the Lord ask you this question—unto what were ye ordained?"
(Doctrine and Covenants 50:13)

If they have not been called by the proper authority and have stewardship over this, then its best to run.

“Let us beware of false prophets and false teachers, both men and women, who are self-appointed declarers of the doctrines of the Church and who seek to spread their false gospel and attract followers by sponsoring symposia, books, and journals whose contents challenge fundamental doctrines of the Church. Beware of those who speak and publish in opposition to God’s true prophets and who actively proselyte others with reckless disregard for the eternal well-being of those whom they seduce. Like Nehor and Korihor in the Book of Mormon, they rely on sophistry to deceive and entice others to their views. …
“Perhaps most damningly, they deny Christ’s Resurrection and Atonement, arguing that no God can save us. They reject the need for a Savior. In short, these detractors attempt to reinterpret the doctrines of the Church to fit their own preconceived views, and in the process deny Christ and His messianic role.”
(M. Russell Ballard, "Beware of False Prophets and False Teachers", Oct 1999 General Conference)

Day 3324

Today's Favorite Verse: Titus 1:16

Today's Favorite Verse: Titus 1:16
"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."

This made me think of this..."Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." (Matthew 7:20)

If you watch, and listen long enough you will find a person cannot hide their fruits. They will show themselves for who they really are. They are basically a hypocrite and someone you do not want to follow.

"Hypocrite: The word generally denotes one who pretends to be religious when he is not (though it is sometimes used to mean simply a bad man). Hypocrisy was the besetting sin of the Pharisees and was severely condemned by the Lord." (Bible Dictionary)

Day 3289

Today's Favorite Verse: Malachi 2:8

Today's Favorite Verse: Malachi 2:8

"But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts."

One of the many dangers of accepting false doctrine, or setting yourself up as a light to others instead of Christ, is you can cause others to stumble and fall. That is something we will be held accountable for.

"But wo unto them that are deceivers and hypocrites, for, thus saith the Lord, I will bring them to judgment.

Behold, verily I say unto you, there are hypocrites among you, who have deceived some, which has given the adversary power; but behold such shall be reclaimed;

But the hypocrites shall be detected and shall be cut off, either in life or in death, even as I will; and wo unto them who are cut off from my church, for the same are overcome of the world.

Wherefore, let every man beware lest he do that which is not in truth and righteousness before me."

(Doctrine and Covenants 50:6-9)

Day 3086

Today's Favorite Verse: John 8:5-7

Today's Favorite Verse: John 8:5-7
"Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.
So when they continues asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."

I read somewhere and then put it in my notes on this scripture that "This was a trap for Jesus, they had not stoned in a long time."  Yes, under the law of Moses someone caught in the act of adultery was punishable by stoning to death, but the Jews were not following God's law. It was not acceptable socially so this is why they thought it such a trap for Jesus.

Would he honor the law of Moses or would he honor the social custom of the day? How inspiring when Jesus puts the decision back on them. Which of course they could not now lift a stone at the woman, for it would go against the people. I guess you could say it wouldn't be politically correct for them.  I find it very interesting, not only does the Savior show such compassion for the woman, he also demonstrates how to handle those that set traps for us. Truly those that set traps for others have no true compassion or righteousness. I think those being "convicted by their own conscience" and leaving were showing they felt the hypocrites that they were. It does not say that they repented. Only to the woman did Christ say "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."


Day 1578