Stumbling Jesus' follower, husband of Gloria, proud dad and grandfather, retired pastor/professor, author (Should Women Be Pastors and Leaders In Church?)
In the first century, the Pharisees and Scribes were masters at taking what the Scriptures said and extrapolating from them adding oppressive rules, judgments, and personal prejudices. In the process the life-giving intent of the Scriptures was often compromised.
No wonder Paul
wrote to his friends in Corinth, "Do not go beyond what is written" (1 Corinthians 4:6).
Beware of those who do the same today. "Lord, help me to be self-aware when I tend to do this."
May there always be those who will lovingly guide me back to the Scriptures Jesus summarized
For my pastor/preacher friends (and me!):
1. Give me the kind of teachable spirit I desire for my hearers
2. Before I preach this, show me how I need to apply it in my own life
3. Show me where I don't have a correct understanding of Scripture so I can model humility and growth.