The Pharisees portrayed themselves as being zealously religious. They had a reputation for strictly keeping the law. Yet Jesus saw through the façade and knew their religion was superficial.
Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also” (Matthew 23:25-26). Though others believed the Pharisees put God first, Jesus knew their highest priority was pleasing themselves.
He continued, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Matthew 23:27-28). Others saw the Pharisees as model examples of righteous behavior, yet Jesus knew they were corrupt in their hearts and were filled with sin.
So remember that outward appearances are not everything. Yes, we need to set a good example for others, which requires us to do what is good so that others can see in us what a faithful servant of God is to be. Yet our heart also needs to be right so that our thoughts, intentions, and motivations are in harmony with God’s will.