Are there ways in which we resist God’s truth in our own life?

[TangWeiPing]

Matthew 23:32: Go ahead, then, and complete what your ancestors started!
Extended Explanation: In this verse, Jesus issues a stinging rebuke to the Pharisees. After exposing their hypocrisy and their alignment with the sins of their ancestors, He sarcastically tells them to “complete what your ancestors started.” Their ancestors had rejected and killed the prophets, and now the Pharisees were about to do the same to Jesus, the ultimate messenger of God. Jesus’ words anticipate His coming crucifixion, which would be carried out by the very people claiming to honor God. This verse highlights the Pharisees’ blindness to their own sin and their role in perpetuating the rebellion against God seen throughout Israel’s history.
Historical Context: The Jewish leaders’ rejection of God’s prophets was a recurring theme in Israel’s history. Prophets like Jeremiah and Zechariah were persecuted for calling the people back to faithfulness (2 Chronicles 24:20-21; Jeremiah 38:6). Despite their professed reverence for these prophets, the Pharisees and other leaders were continuing this legacy of rebellion by opposing Jesus. By this point in Jesus’ ministry, the religious leaders had already begun plotting to kill Him (Matthew 12:14; John 11:53). Jesus’ words here expose their guilt and predict their ultimate rejection of Him through His crucifixion.
Theological Implications: This verse underscores the seriousness of rejecting God’s messengers. The Pharisees’ refusal to listen to Jesus revealed their hardened hearts and their alignment with the sins of the past. It serves as a warning that rejecting God’s Word has serious consequences. It also reminds us of humanity’s ongoing struggle with sin and rebellion. Left to our own devices, we are prone to reject God’s truth, just as the Pharisees did. Only through humility and repentance can we align ourselves with His will.
Literary Analysis: The phrase “Go ahead, then, and complete what your ancestors started!” is both confrontational and prophetic. It highlights the Pharisees’ role in continuing a pattern of sin and rebellion, while also pointing forward to Jesus’ crucifixion. This verse uses irony to expose the Pharisees’ hypocrisy. They claimed to honor the prophets, yet they were about to commit the ultimate act of rebellion by rejecting and killing God’s Son. This dramatic language fits within the larger series of woes in Matthew 23, where Jesus condemns the Pharisees’ hypocrisy and spiritual blindness.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References:
- Acts 7:51-52: Stephen accuses the Jewish leaders of resisting the Holy Spirit and betraying God’s messengers, just as their ancestors did.
- John 11:53: The religious leaders plot to kill Jesus, fulfilling His prophetic words.
- Hebrews 1:1-2: God spoke through the prophets but has now spoken through His Son, who was also rejected.
- Matthew 21:33-46: The parable of the tenants describes how the religious leaders rejected God’s servants and His Son.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian:
For Christians today, this verse serves as a warning to remain humble and receptive to God’s Word. Like the Pharisees, we are capable of rejecting God’s truth if we prioritize our own desires or traditions over His will. It also challenges us to recognize Jesus as the ultimate messenger and to align our lives with His teaching. Claiming to follow God means nothing if our actions betray a rejection of His truth.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God:
God’s love is evident in His continued effort to reach His people, even in the face of rejection. He sent prophets throughout history and ultimately sent His Son to bring salvation. Jesus’ rebuke is an act of love, exposing the Pharisees’ sin and offering them an opportunity to repent. This verse also reflects God’s justice. While He is patient and merciful, He does not ignore sin. The Pharisees’ actions would bring judgment, but God’s love provides a way for all to be reconciled through Jesus.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ:
Jesus is the culmination of God’s redemptive plan and the ultimate messenger of His truth. The Pharisees’ rejection of Jesus mirrors their ancestors’ rejection of the prophets, but Jesus willingly faced their hostility to fulfill God’s plan of salvation. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus breaks the cycle of sin and rebellion, offering forgiveness and new life to all who believe. This verse challenges us to embrace Jesus fully, recognizing Him as the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion:
- Are there ways in which we resist God’s truth in our own life?
- How can we ensure that our actions align with our profession of faith?
- What does this verse teach us about the importance of humility and repentance?
- How does Jesus’ willingness to endure rejection and suffering inspire us to follow Him?
- In what ways can we help others recognize and respond to God’s message of salvation through Jesus?

Prayer for Hebrews 1:1:
“Long ago God spoke to the fathers by the prophets at different times and in different ways.”
Praying through Hebrews 1:1:
Our prayer: Loving Father, we stand amazed at the wonder of Who You are and that You should condescend to love us and rescue us from the wages of our sin. Thank You for conveying this truth to us through Your single, integrated, supernaturally inspired message of Scripture. May we study to be approved and not stand ashamed before Your throne of grace. In Jesus' name we pray, AMEN.

 

[Cinu]

Lord, we pray for this prayer and family for blessings healing and salvation. Heal and bless. May their lives be a praise and glory unto thee.
Come to the Lord's holy presence. Seek him with all your heart. Cling to his Word and meditate on it moment by moment by positive thoughts and joy in the heart (James 1:2-4), knowing that the Lord is good and to him be all the praise. Seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Even though life may feel hard, the Lord's hand will be on you, and he will answer in his time. I am praying for you. Amen.

Some resources that might help.

Needs: - But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19(KJV)

Salvation: - So they said "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved you and your household." Acts 16:31(NKJV)

Healing: - But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5(NKJV)

Fulfillment by the Holy Spirit: - Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6(KJV)

Persecutions: - But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. Luke 6:27-28(KJV)

Help in Prayer

Dwelling and Thriving in God’s grace where everything happens for good (Romans 8:28)

Pray that the Lord may open the eyes of the nations affected by coronavirus (Specifically forces against God’s people)

sermons

Be a Prayer Warrior: “Praying for others”

 

[Articles]

Oh, how deeply this passage in Matthew 23:32 cuts to the heart of human rebellion and the ways we, too, can resist God’s truth in our lives. The Pharisees, though outwardly religious, were blind to their own hardness of heart. They honored the prophets of old with their lips, yet their actions revealed a stubborn refusal to submit to God’s Word—even when that Word stood before them in the flesh. Their resistance was not merely a rejection of Jesus but a continuation of the same rebellion that had plagued Israel for generations. And we must ask ourselves: *Are we any different?*

The truth is, resistance to God’s truth often begins subtly. It can look like ignoring the conviction of the Holy Spirit when He speaks through Scripture, rationalizing sin rather than repenting of it, or clinging to traditions and personal preferences over the clear commands of God. It can manifest in a refusal to forgive, a love of worldly approval over godly obedience, or even a quiet dismissal of the parts of the Bible that challenge our comfort. Like the Pharisees, we can become so accustomed to our own "righteousness" that we fail to see how far we’ve strayed from the heart of God.

Consider the words of Jesus in **Matthew 15:8-9 (WEB)**:
*"‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me.
They worship me in vain,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’"*
How often do we, too, pay lip service to God while our hearts remain unchanged? How often do we elevate our own wisdom, culture, or desires above His Word?

Or reflect on **John 3:19-20 (WEB)**:
*"This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed."*
The Pharisees loved the darkness of their self-righteousness, their control, and their traditions more than the light of Christ. And we, too, can shrink back from the light when it exposes our sin, our pride, or our idols.

Yet God, in His mercy, does not leave us in our rebellion. He confronts us, just as Jesus confronted the Pharisees—not to condemn without hope, but to call us to repentance. **2 Peter 3:9 (WEB)** reminds us:
*"The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but he is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."*
His rebukes are an act of love, a plea to turn from our sin and embrace the truth that sets us free.

So let us examine our hearts. Are there areas where we, like the Pharisees, resist God’s truth? Do we harbor bitterness, justify sin, or refuse to submit to His Lordship in certain areas of our lives? Do we claim to follow Christ while our actions betray a heart far from Him? Let us not be deceived: partial obedience is still disobedience. And disobedience, unrepented of, leads only to destruction.

But praise God, there is hope! **1 John 1:9 (WEB)** declares:
*"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."*
Repentance is the path back to God. Humility is the posture that receives His grace. And Jesus, the One the Pharisees rejected, is the very One who stands ready to forgive and restore all who come to Him in faith.

Let us also remember that our resistance to God’s truth doesn’t just affect us—it affects those around us. The Pharisees’ rebellion led others astray, just as our unrepentant sin can become a stumbling block to those who watch our lives. May we instead be vessels of God’s truth, living in such a way that others see Christ in us and are drawn to Him.

---
Now, let us pray together for hearts that are soft and receptive to God’s truth, for the courage to repent where we have resisted Him, and for a deep love for Jesus that compels us to walk in obedience.

**Our Prayer:**
Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble and contrite hearts, acknowledging that we, too, are prone to resist Your truth. Like the Pharisees, we can become blinded by our own pride, our traditions, and our desire for control. Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have hardened our hearts to Your Word, for the times we have rationalized sin or clung to our own ways. We confess that apart from Your grace, we are no better than those who rejected Your Son.

Thank You, Father, for Your patience with us. Thank You for sending Jesus, the ultimate Messenger of Your truth, who did not shrink back from exposing our sin but instead bore the punishment for it on the cross. What love is this, that You would pursue us even in our rebellion! Softens our hearts, O Lord. Open our eyes to see where we have resisted You, and give us the courage to repent. May we not be like the Pharisees, who honored You with their lips but whose hearts were far from You. Instead, create in us clean hearts, O God, and renew a right spirit within us (Psalm 51:10).

Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we may walk in obedience and love. Help us to treasure Your Word above all else, to submit to its authority in every area of our lives, and to live in such a way that others see Your truth reflected in us. May we never take for granted the sacrifice of Jesus, who endured rejection and suffering to bring us back to You. Let our lives be a testament to Your grace, that others may be drawn to the light of Christ.

We ask all this in the precious and mighty name of Jesus, our Savior and Lord, who alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. May we follow Him wholeheartedly, without reservation, and may our lives bring glory to Your name. Amen.

 

[hostadmin]

Oh, how this verse in Matthew 23:32 cuts to the heart of human rebellion and the ways we, too, can resist God's truth in our lives. Jesus' words to the Pharisees, "Go ahead then, complete what your ancestors started!" (WEB), were not just a sarcastic jab, but a prophetic anticipation of their impending rejection and crucifixion of Him, the ultimate messenger of God.

The Pharisees, despite their outward religious devotion, were blind to their own hardness of heart. They honored the prophets of old with their lips, yet their actions revealed a stubborn refusal to submit to God's Word—even when that Word stood before them in the flesh. Their resistance was not merely a rejection of Jesus but a continuation of the same rebellion that had plagued Israel for generations.

And we must ask ourselves: Are we any different? The truth is, resistance to God's truth often begins subtly. It can look like ignoring the conviction of the Holy Spirit when He speaks through Scripture, rationalizing sin rather than repenting of it, or clinging to traditions and personal preferences over the clear commands of God. It can manifest in a refusal to forgive, a love of worldly approval over godly obedience, or even a quiet dismissal of the parts of the Bible that challenge our comfort.

Like the Pharisees, we can become so accustomed to our own "righteousness" that we fail to see how far we've strayed from the heart of God. Consider the words of Jesus in Matthew 15:8-9 (WEB): "'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. They worship me in vain, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'" How often do we, too, pay lip service to God while our hearts remain unchanged? How often do we elevate our own wisdom, culture, or desires above His Word?

Or reflect on John 3:19-20 (WEB): "This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his works would be exposed." The Pharisees loved the darkness of their self-righteousness, their control, and their traditions more than the light of Christ. And we, too, can shrink back from the light when it exposes our sin, our pride, or our idols.

Yet God, in His mercy, does not leave us in our rebellion. He confronts us, just as Jesus confronted the Pharisees—not to condemn without hope, but to call us to repentance. His rebukes are an act of love, a plea to turn from our sin and embrace the truth that sets us free.

So let us examine our hearts. Are there areas where we, like the Pharisees, resist God's truth? Do we harbor bitterness, justify sin, or refuse to submit to His Lordship in certain areas of our lives? Do we claim to follow Christ while our actions betray a heart far from Him? Let us not be deceived: partial obedience is still disobedience. And disobedience, unrepented of, leads only to destruction.

But praise God, there is hope! 1 John 1:9 (WEB) declares, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Repentance is the path back to God. Humility is the posture that receives His grace. And Jesus, the One the Pharisees rejected, is the very One who stands ready to forgive and restore all who come to Him in faith.

Let us also remember that our resistance to God's truth does not just affect us—it affects those around us. The Pharisees' rebellion led others astray, just as our unrepentant sin can become a stumbling block to those who watch our lives. May we instead be vessels of God's truth, living in such a way that others see Christ in us and are drawn to Him.

Now, let us pray together for hearts that are soft and receptive to God's truth, for the courage to repent where we have resisted Him, and for a deep love for Jesus that compels us to walk in obedience.

Our Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble and contrite hearts, acknowledging that we, too, are prone to resist Your truth. Like the Pharisees, we can become blinded by our own pride, our traditions, and our desire for control. Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have hardened our hearts to Your Word, for the times we have rationalized sin or clung to our own ways. We confess that apart from Your grace, we are no better than those who rejected Your Son.

Thank You, Father, for Your patience with us. Thank You for sending Jesus, the ultimate Messenger of Your truth, who did not shrink back from exposing our sin but instead bore the punishment for it on the cross. What love is this, that You would pursue us even in our rebellion? Softens our hearts, O Lord. Open our eyes to see where we have resisted You, and give us the courage to repent. May we not be like the Pharisees, who honored You with their lips but whose hearts were far from You. Instead, create in us clean hearts, O God, and renew a right spirit within us (Psalm 51:10).

Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we may walk in obedience and love. Help us to treasure Your Word above all else, to submit to its authority in every area of our lives, and to live in such a way that others see Your truth reflected in us. May we never take for granted the sacrifice of Jesus, who endured rejection and suffering to bring us back to You. Let our lives be a testament to Your grace, that others may be drawn to the light of Christ.

We ask all this in the precious and mighty name of Jesus, our Savior and Lord, who alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. May we follow Him wholeheartedly, without reservation, and may our lives bring glory to Your name. Amen.

 

[JesusourLordandSavior]

Amen!! Thank you Heavenly Father for blessing us with another day, and for all you do for all of us. All glory and honor belongs to you Father. I lift this prayer up on your glory Father God and ask that you grant your perfect will. In Jesus name I pray. Amen

 

[The Encourager]

I prayed that God in Jesus' name will answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy. God Loves You. Thank You Jesus!!!

Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. Bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding.

God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God solution focused heart, mind, spirit, and attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net

Healed Spirit Soul And Body​

Healed Spirit Soul And Body

be-an-encourager.blogspot.com

 

[Naliogate]

Praying in Jesus Name.

 

[hostadmin]

We are so grateful you invited us to join you in prayer and reflection on this sobering passage from Matthew 23:32. The weight of these words reminds us all of the seriousness of resisting God’s truth—whether through outright rebellion or the more subtle ways we cling to our own traditions, pride, or self-reliance over His will. We’ve been praying that the Holy Spirit would search our hearts alongside yours, exposing any areas where we, like the Pharisees, might be honoring God with our lips while our actions betray a hardened heart.

It’s been a few days since you shared this request, and we want to encourage you to keep pressing into what the Lord is revealing. Have you sensed His conviction in specific ways? Have you experienced His mercy in breaking through resistance? If God has granted you insight, repentance, or a deeper surrender to His truth, we’d love to rejoice with you in a praise report. Sometimes the Lord answers by shining a light on our blind spots, and that in itself is a gift worth celebrating.

If you’re still wrestling—if the struggle feels ongoing or the questions remain—we want you to know we’re here to stand with you in prayer again. The Pharisees’ story warns us, but it also points us to Jesus, who endured their rejection to offer *us* forgiveness and transformation. You’re not alone in this. Let us know how we can continue to lift you up, whether in perseverance, repentance, or resting in His grace.

We’re also praying that this passage would deepen your love for Christ, who *chose* the cross despite knowing our capacity to resist Him. May His patience with us stir our hearts to humility and worship. Keep seeking Him, brother/sister. He is faithful to complete the work He’s begun in you (Philippians 1:6).

In Jesus’ name.