Matthew 16:2-3 (KJV) The Hypocrisy of Unbelief

Matthew 16:2-3 (KJV)

He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?

 

I’m calling this the hypocrisy of unbelief.

 

Jesus, speaking to both the Pharisees and Sadducees, called it hypocrisy that they could analyze weather patterns and predict a forecast, yet they refused to examine the evidence of His life and confess Him as the foretold Messiah.

 

This same hypocrisy exists in today’s atheist and agnostic circles. They demand:

         •        “Proof” that God exists.

         •        “Proof” that Jesus rose again.

         •        “Proof” of life after death.

 

Yet, these same people often accept the judgments of others whose views are equally speculative—if not more so—but align with their preconceived opinions.

Creation is proof that God exists. 

Yet, the evolutionist’s agenda appeals more to their preferences, so they accept it over creation.

Documentary evidence proves the resurrection of Christ. 

Yet, they accept the historical documentation of Ancient Greece and Rome—though it is far less substantiated—because it does not offend their sensibilities. They reject the vastly superior documentation supporting Christ’s resurrection.

The resurrection of Christ itself is proof of life after death. 

But because it challenges their prejudices, they refuse to consider it.

 

Hypocrisy.

 

The Bible is affirmed by scientific, archaeological, anthropological, and historical evidence in every logical manner. Yet, because its message contradicts what they wish to believe, they ignore it. They readily accept evidence that aligns with their preferences or leaves their worldview unchallenged. But they refuse to examine the evidence that supports the Bible.

 

Hypocrisy.

 

#HypocrisyOfUnbelief #BiblicalTruth #EvidenceForFaith #CreationAndResurrection #DiscernTheTimes

The Hypocrisy of Unbelief: Ignoring the Evidence of Christ

Do you see evidence of God’s truth in creation and history? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 6600 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

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Matthew 16:2-3 (KJV) The Hypocrisy of Unbelief

Matthew 15:13 (KJV) Offending the Pharisees

Matthew 15:13 (KJV)

But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

 

The disciples were concerned that Jesus had offended the Pharisees. There are several reasons why we might be concerned when others are offended:

It can be a sin to offend.

For example, offending a little one and preventing them from being saved is a serious matter.

It can be viewed as unkind and unchristian to offend. 

This may or may not be true, depending on the situation. Some are so worried about offending others that they refuse to take a stand for anything.

It can create enemies to offend. 

I suspect this was the disciples’ primary concern. The Pharisees were a powerful force at the time and having them as opponents made for uphill struggles.

 

Jesus simply answered, “Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.” The plant not planted by God could represent man-made commandments, wrong ideologies, or heretical doctrines. These things can infiltrate even the best churches and the most conscientious believers. When they spring up, it is proper to correct and uproot them.

 

In this context, I believe the thing to be uprooted was the movement of the Pharisees. Jesus did not come merely to replace false doctrine but to upend the entire system the Jews had developed, including its forms: Pharisees, Sadducees, and even the Temple itself.

 

Before Christ finishes with this world’s system, He will uproot not only the false sense of Judaism[1] but also all man-made religions of the world—Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Mormonism, and etc... Butt it will not stop there.

 

Much, if not most, of modern Christianity is also man-planted. Catholicism, Protestantism, the Reformation, Calvinism, Arminianism, and the denominations that have grown out of those systems will likewise be entirely rooted up.

 

Of course, that’s offensive. People tend to defend vigorously what they have planted.

 

Jesus said, “I will build my church.”[2] A wise person will not assume on this subject. He will diligently seek to learn which church traces its origin to Christ. He will not presume that what he was taught, how his parents raised him, or what most people believe is correct. If there is evidence to suggest otherwise, he would be wise to investigate it.

 

Because not all the plants in the field were planted by God, and every plant He did not plant will one day be rooted up.

 

#BiblicalTruth #RootedInChrist #FaithfulLiving #GodsChurch #SoundDoctrine

Offending the Pharisees: A Biblical Warning for Modern Christianity

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[1] There is a true sense which will one day be restored.

[2] Matthew 16:18

👉 Question for you: What steps are you taking to ensure your beliefs align with Scripture? Share your thoughts in the comments!
👉 Action Step: Open your Bible and read Matthew 15:13 today. Ask yourself if there are any “plants” in your life that need to be uprooted.
👉 Explore More: Visit marvinmckenzie.org for more biblical insights and resources to help you grow in your faith.

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To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 6600 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
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Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
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Matthew 15:13 (KJV) Offending the Pharisees

Matthew 14:20 (KJV) The Power of Giving

Matthew 14:20 (KJV)

And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.

 

If we give what we have to the Lord, He will bless it, so we have enough for others and ourselves.

 

“They need not depart; give ye them to eat.” In such an “each man for himself” world, Jesus’ words seem out of place—impossible even.

 

“We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.” Most of us feel we have so little to give, and even the wealthiest know they cannot meet every need. That’s why they create foundations and offer matching funds during charity drives. They give, but they also attempt to encourage others to give as well.

 

“Bring them hither to me.” The wealthy often prefer to keep their giving grounded in earthly causes, but those of us with the least sometimes understand this principle best: Giving to the Lord is the most effective way to give back to the world.

 

“And he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.” The disciples gave their small offering to the Lord. He blessed it and gave it back to them. In turn, they distributed it to the multitude. 

 

“they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.”

Not only was there enough to feed everyone, but they also ended with more than they had at the beginning.

 

If we give what we have to the Lord, He will bless it, so we have enough for others and ourselves.

 

#FaithfulGiving #BiblicalPrinciples #TrustInGod #BlessingsOverflow #GiveToTheLord

The Power of Giving: From Scarcity to Overflow

 

• Question to Answer:
  Are you willing to trust God with what you have, no matter how little it may seem? Take a moment today to offer your gifts—whether time, resources, or talents—to the Lord, and ask Him to bless them for His purpose. For more encouragement on living a life of faithful giving, visit marvinmckenzie.org and discover resources to help you grow in your walk with God.

👉 Join our community in studying God’s Word and strengthening your faith.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 6600 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Matthew 14:20 (KJV) The Power of Giving

Matthew 13:3 (KJV) Seeing and Hearing

Matthew 13:3 (KJV)

And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow.

 

The Bible says Jesus “spake many things unto them in parables.” What follows is a series of parables, all designed to teach profound truths while keeping them concealed from some.

 

There would be eyes that see but do not see the truth.

There would be ears that hear but do not hear the truth.

 

Jesus even said that there were prophets and righteous men who had desired to see and hear these things but had not. It’s not just the hard-hearted and wicked who cannot grasp the truths of the Bible—it’s all of us. We can’t understand the Word of God unless the Lord Himself reveals it to us.

 

Talk about an incredible concept to the unbeliever. They just can’t accept that their unbelief is the very reason they don’t agree with the preacher and proclaimer of the Bible. They think they have outsmarted the outdated ideas of the Christian. They believe they have outgrown the so-called superstitious nature of the Bible believer. To tell them they can’t see these things because God has hidden them from them feels like an insult. And so, they throw insults back.

But sometimes, the Christian forgets that he can’t see these things on his own either. We can present ourselves in self-righteous and arrogant tones, as if we had something to do with our limited comprehension of things too wonderful for us.

 

My point is, there is no reason for insults to be thrown either way. If only we could learn to patiently talk with one another, to hear one another’s ideas, and, at least from the Christian’s perspective, to pray for the other.

 

The result would be so much more productive than insults, anger, and fighting.

 

#ParablesOfChrist #TruthRevealedByGod #SpiritualBlindness #HumbleFaith #PrayForUnderstanding

Seeing and Hearing: Why Some Understand and Others Don’t

 

 

• What truth from Jesus’ parables has impacted your life the most? Share your thoughts in the comments. For more biblical insights and resources, visit marvinmckenzie.org.

👉 Join our community in studying God’s Word and strengthening your faith.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 6600 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Matthew 13:3 (KJV) Seeing and Hearing