When Jesus exposed the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, He was not just rebuking error; He was also training the disciples to have a different heart and ambition when they became church leaders (1 Peter 5:1-4). Enlarging on His teaching against hypocrisy (Matthew 6:1-18), Jesus explained that the Pharisees’ motivation was pride. They were desperate for people to admire them, and used their supposed 'holiness' and honoured public status to foster that hunger for approval. Along with their status went the power to control people.

But their 'holiness' was all external. They loved external symbols indicating that they honoured the law (phylacteries were little leather boxes strapped to their arms or foreheads – a literal interpretation of the Law (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)). They wore extra-long flowing tassels on their shirt or robe to emphasise their ‘holy’ status; even though the Law said that the significance of the tassels was to remind the wearer of their own tendency to sin (Numbers 15:39); and they loved the personal publicity of social greetings which honoured them as being devoutly holy. All these external things were personality 'power-dressing' by the dominant and demanding religious leaders.

Titles are seductive. 'Rabbi' equates to 'doctor' or 'teacher'. However, it was not simply used as a description of a person's function but as a statement of unquestionable spiritual authority. Likewise, 'Father' or 'Instructor' had become power-words. The Bible is not against using them to indicate ministry function (1 Corinthians 4:15-17), but they must never be used to exalt the minister or to control other people. Indeed, to do so is blasphemous because that puts the minister in place of God.

What is the cure for pride? Repentance! Yes, but unless something else replaces the habit of seeking public approval, it will inevitably return. The only antidote for the poison of blasphemous pride is sacrificial service. Instead of working publicly for human approval, work in a way which is unseen to others so that God may be pleased (Colossians 3:22). The ‘Jesus-way’ is that we work hard serving Him and He gets the glory, not us (Matthew 6:3-4). Indeed, the purpose of every Christian life should be that the Lord has all the glory. When we seek applause and public recognition, our hearts are not only proud but also blasphemous. If you truly want to honour the Lord, repent of self-publicity and choose to serve unnoticed because you love the Lord more than yourself.