TOXIC RELIGION

‘Their poison is like the poison of Serpents…’ Psalm 140:3
‘Stay clear of pious talk, that’s only talk…’ 2 Timothy 2:16
‘Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy...’ Luke 12:1
Message – ‘Watch yourselves carefully so you don’t get contaminated with Pharisee yeast, Pharisee phoniness.’

I. TEN TRAITS OF TOXIC FAITH

1. Legalism
‘When the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that he had not first washed before dinner.’ Luke 11:38

2. Hypocrisy
Matthew 23:13, 14, 15, 23, 25, 27, 29 – ‘Hypocrite’ 7 Times

3. Guilt Trips
‘They pile up back breaking burdens and they lay them on other people’s shoulders; yet they themselves will not raise a finger to move them.’ Matthew 23:4

4. Nit Picking
‘The Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words.’ Matthew 22:15
‘Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.’ Matthew 23:23
‘Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!’ Matthew 23:24

5. They Malign Motives
‘He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.’ Matthew 9:34

6. Guilt By Association
‘And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.”’ Luke 15:2

7. Ridicule
‘He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, But a man of understanding holds his peace.’ Proverbs 11:12
‘LITTLE PEOPLE BELITTLE PEOPLE!’

8. Flattery
‘Flattery is a form of hatred and it wounds cruelly.’ Proverbs 26:28
‘For such people are not serving Christ our Lord, they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive innocent people.’ Romans 16:18

9. Intimidation and Pressure
‘The Pharisees were on Jesus again, pressing Him to prove Himself to them.’ Matthew 16:1

10. Gossiping
‘Anyone who spreads gossip is a fool.’ Proverbs 10:18
‘Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets. Therefore, do not associate with anyone that gossips.’ Proverbs 20:19

II. HOW A PERSON BECOMES TOXIC

1. Envy
‘It was out of envy that they handed Jesus over to Pilate.’ Matthew 27:19
‘When the Pharisees w the wonderful things that Jesus did, d they heard the children shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David”, they were indignant.’ Matthew 21:15

2. Money
‘A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of things which he possesseth.’ Luke 12:15
‘And when the Pharisees heard this, they made fun of Jesus, because they loved money.’ Luke 16:14
‘Even wise men people are fools if they let money change their thinking.’ Ecclesiastes 7:7

3. Bitterness
‘Be careful that no one misses the grace of God; so that no root of bitterness grows up among you.’ Hebrews 12:15
‘Be careful that no one becomes like a Bitter weed, growing up among you. A person like that can ruin all of you.’ - International Children’s Bible

III. HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH TOXIC PEOPLE?

1. Realize … It’s Not About You!
‘IF it is possible, AS FAR AS IT DEPENDS ON YOU, live at peace with everyone.’ Romans 12:18
- ‘I DIDN’T CREATE IT…’
- ‘I CAN’T CONTROL IT..’
- ‘YOU WON’T CHANGE THEIR BEHAVIOR..’

2. Disconnect, And Let Them Go!
‘The Pharisees went out and they plotted how they might kill Jesus. Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place.’ John 7:1
‘These people did not really ever belong to our fellowship, and that’s why they left us. If they had truly belonged to our fellowship, and that’s why they left us. If they had truly belonged to our fellowship, they would have strayed with us. But they left, so that it might be clear that none of them really belonged to us.’ I John 2:19
‘The disciples came to Jesus, and they asked; “Do you realize that you offended the Pharisees by what you just said?” Jesus said, “Ignore them, they are blind guides leading the blind.”’ Matthew 15:12-14

3. Refuse To Play Their Game!
‘Then the Pharisees met together to think of a way to trap Jesus into saying something for which they could accuse Him…. But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You Hypocrites,” He said. “Whom are you trying to fool with your trick questions?”’ Matthew 22:15, 18
‘Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, Saying “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition…’ Matthew 15:1-3
‘Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, fighting and slander and evil suspicions. These people always cause trouble.’ I Timothy 6-4-5

4. Set Boundaries
NO ONE CAN PRESSURE YOU WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION!!
‘Freedom is what we have, Christ has set us free. Stand then as free people and do not allow yourselves to become slaves again.’ Galatians 5:1

5. Live For An Audience Of One
‘We’re not trying to please men, but God, who tests our hearts.’ I Thessalonians 2:4