Did the Pharisees really believe they were doing the right thing? I often wonder about that. I suspect a lot of them were fully convinced they were doing what needed to be done- even if they DID have to bend or break rules to get "the right thing" done! I'm sure they had all kinds of excuses.
Then, I swing it around to present day, and wonder if we're doing the right thing in Christian circles with our actions in public. If I censure a book, is it because I fear and loathe it, or is it because God spoke to my heart over and over again, telling me to go public with the displeasure He has over the book's message? Is it my own righteousness, or God's?
Fear and pride are still the biggest destroyers in holy circles. This makes me anxious - and careful - lest I fall into constant assumption that I know what's best for our Lord and His people. I've often seen after the fact that I did a pointless thing for a pointless reason.........
Everything we do should be saturated in prayer... and we're all trying to remember that, moment by moment.
-cel