We have to be more righteous than the Pharisees?

Matthew 5:17-18 NLT
[17]  “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.

🌟[18] I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.

– Jesus takes everything to a higher standard.-

Matthew 5:19-22 NLT

[19] So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. [20]  “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven! [21]  “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’

➡️[22] But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell. 🔥


I love how Jesus addresses the beholder of the eye. Not the one being lusted after in this instance. It’s up to each individual to keep their eye gates pure. It is not other peoples responsibility to keep your heart and mind pure. We live in this world and WILL see plenty. It’s what we meditate on is what matters. Not judging others but keeping ourselves in check. We are the LIGHT of the WORLD what good is that light if we hide it. No instead its to be placed on a hill top for ALL to see. It doesn’t say instead hide away from the world. No. We live in this world but we understand our eternity is with Jesus in the heavenly places.


Matthew 5:27-29 NLT
➡️[27]  “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’

👀 [28] But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

👁[29] So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.


Jesus goes on to say that UNLESS our righteousness is BETTER than the righteousness of the Pharisees we will never enter heaven. (5:20) but we understand that we are counted righteous BY FAITH. Not by works. This is where it’s easy to get tripped up. Understanding BY faith we have been saved not by works that any man shall boast. The works will be evident in our lives just as the fruit of the spirit will be. So if we are trying to work our way to heaven then we must be BETTER then the religious Pharisees. And we know we can’t be. This is by GRACE we have been saved. This is why motives of the heart matters and only God knows a man’s hearts and thoughts.


Matthew 5:37 NLT
[37] Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.