I’ve pondered this verse many times: Jesus says to the Pharisees, “Woe to you experts in the law, because you take away the key to knowledge. You yourselves do not enter, and you hinder those who are entering.” (Luke 11: 52, NIV)
Jesus speaks to the Pharisees about “loading people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and not lifting one finger to help them.” (Luke 11:46) And He speaks to them of “building tombs for the prophets” even though their forefathers murdered those very same prophets.
James once warned, "Examine your heart thoroughly before agreeing to teach the Word of God." Moses, as Israel's teacher, forfeited entering the land of promise with one act of disobedience. There is a higher standard for those who will say, "Thus says the LORD!"
Carley offers a great explanation in this post as to why our words must bring forth only truth... with a pure heart. There is something at stake!
