Last week, missionaries taught the Dinangat people in Papua New Guinea about the Pharisees who thought they were righteous before God.
Gary Smith held up a bright, shiny pot that was admired by all, even coveted by some of the Dinangats.
Someone in the crowd said, "Give it to me and we will eat."
But when the lid was taken off a foul stench filled the air, and the corrupted contents were revealed for all to see.
The illustration spoke to the people's hearts. They understood that a person can look good on the outside but be totally rotten on the inside.
One man asked what they all were thinking, "How can I make my heart clean?"
But they all understood that there was nothing they could do to clean up their insides. They knew only God can do that.
On Monday the teaching about the Pharisees continued as the people heard the parable about the Pharisee and the tax collector.
The missionaries asked two of Dinangat men to pray as the Pharisee and the tax collector prayed. The men stood with the backs to the people as they spoke.
The people usually begin to get restless toward the end of the lesson, but as the missionaries finished their teaching telling how the humble man was justified before God and the proud man who trusted in his works was rejected, the people were silent.
"Not even the chickens were making noise," Gary wrote.
Please pray for the Dinangats as they think about what they are being taught. Pray that they will continue to be attentive as the Gospel is presented to them.
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