“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.”
- Matthew 23:13 -

Seven Woes in Matthew chapter 23 lead us to to think the following questions:

Am I helping people enter God’s kingdom or am I hindering them?
Is my life consistent with my words?
Do I honor God with integrity?
Am I focused on justice, mercy, and faithfulness, or am I obsessed with trivia?
Is my inner life pleasing to God or am I hiding secret darkness?
Am I righteous of heart, or am I dead inside?
Do I receive God’s Word from others with a teachable heart and mind?

We must truly examine ourselves to ensure that we are wholly and totally given over to God and his ways, from our hearts to our words and actions.

Apply: Ask yourself the questions above. Consider what changes God wants. Allow Jesus to draw you under his wings and experience his renewing love.

(From Encounter with God)