BEWARE OF THE SCRIBES
SATURDAY 05
“Then He said to them in His teaching, ‘Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces.’”
Mark 12:38 (NKJV)
READ: Mark 12:38–40
Jesus warns the people that they should beware of the scribes who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the
synagogues, and the best places at feasts.
They are those who devour widow’s houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater
condemnation (Mark 12:38–40).
The main point of Jesus’ words in this passage of teaching is about vaunting.
If you carefully look at it, Jesus was reproving the scribes because they love to showoff and vaunt:
I. they go around in long robes.
II. they love greetings in the marketplaces.
III. they love best seats in the synagogues.
IV. they love best places to be given to them at the feasts.
V. they devour widows’ houses.
VI. they make long prayers for a pretense—for appearance sake.
All that Jesus pointed out that the scribes were doing centered on egoism. It is all about self-aggrandizement, thinking highly of yourself more than you ought to think (Romans 12:3).
A believer should think soberly of himself (Romans 12:3).
You should not be boastful of your position, greatness, attainments, success, comfortability, and whatever. Even
some believers are boastful of their spiritual gifts and God’s ability or the enablement given to them. Always
remember that whatever you have, you received it from God, and if you have received it why boasting as if you
had not received it? (1 Corinthians 4:7)
Also know that no one can receive anything except it is given to him from heaven (John 3:27). All the showoff of
your clothes, position, power, affluence, and whatever, are nothing before God. In fact, if such things are found in your life, you may be relegated or humbled by God.
Trying to showoff is part of the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19–21). If you humble yourself in the sight of God, you will be lifted: HUMBLE YOURSELVES IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD, AND HE WILL LIFT YOU UP (James 4:10).
A proud person is always resisted by God. He also scorns the scornful (Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5).
Whatever will move God against you, do not do it; remain small in your own eyes. Superiority complex is not of God, neither inferiority complex is also; just see yourself the way God sees you (Romans 12:3).
Peace.
Reflect:
• Are you more concerned about being seen and greeted than about being obedient in secret?
• What “long robes” for example: titles, appearances or religious performance might be feeding your flesh?
• Who are you really serving when you minister? Are you serving God or the applause of men?
The Edification Daily Devotional for September 2026 is here!
Get your Free Copy right here: https://t.me/Bethel_Digital_Library/50
Do share this with others as well! 🙏