How to Identify a Pharisee Spirit in the Modern Church

In the days of Jesus, the Pharisees were the religious elite—guardians of the law, obsessed with doctrinal precision, yet blind to the presence of the very God they claimed to serve. And while the names and robes have changed, the spirit behind them hasn’t gone anywhere. In fact, it’s alive and well in many pulpits, podcasts, and seminary classrooms today.

So how do you spot a Pharisee spirit in the modern church? Let’s break it down.

They Elevate Doctrine Over the Presence of God

The Pharisee spirit worships theology more than God Himself. It exalts head knowledge and belittles heart transformation. There’s nothing wrong with sound doctrine—in fact, it’s vital. But when theology becomes an idol, the Spirit is grieved.

Jesus said in John 5:39-40,

“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me to have life.”

A Pharisee can quote Greek and Hebrew but resists the living Word when He walks into the room.

They Reject the Power of the Holy Spirit

The Pharisee spirit is deeply uncomfortable with the supernatural. It mocks prophecy, tongues, deliverance, healing—and often calls them “demonic” or “emotionalism.” CAN they be? Yes. But denying the gifts altogether is dangerous and blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Literally it’s the definition.

But Scripture says the gifts of the Spirit are for the building up of the Church (1 Corinthians 12:7) and that in the last days, God will pour out His Spirit on all flesh (Acts 2:17).

To deny the present work of the Holy Spirit is to resist the very One who empowers and sanctifies the Church. That’s not discernment—it’s spiritual pride.

They Operate in Religious Control

The Pharisees were notorious for placing heavy burdens on people while refusing to lift a finger themselves (Matthew 23:4). Today, the Pharisee spirit shows up as hyper-critical leaders who shame, control, or silence others in the name of “purity” or “order.”

They may forbid emotional worship, quench the move of the Spirit, or label Spirit-filled believers as deceived.

But where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17). Control is not a fruit of the Spirit—freedom is.

They Condemn Instead of Correct

True correction is redemptive. It’s rooted in love and leads to restoration. But a Pharisee spirit condemns, shames, and excommunicates anyone who doesn’t fit its mold.

Jesus called it out plainly: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees… 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).

If someone’s ministry is more about gatekeeping than gospel, you’re likely dealing with a Pharisee spirit.

They Bear Little to No Fruit of the Spirit

Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). The Pharisees were known for their rules, but not for their love. They could argue theology, but they couldn’t heal a leper. They could recite Scripture, but they couldn’t cast out a demon.

A modern Pharisee may have a massive platform, sell books, and sound “biblical”—but if they lack love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, humility, or spiritual power… they’re operating in the flesh, not the Spirit.

Final Thought: Test the Spirit

The Bible tells us to test every spirit (1 John 4:1), and that includes those behind a pulpit. Don’t be fooled by polished sermons and scholarly vocabulary. The Pharisee spirit is subtle. It hides behind “truth,” but lacks love. It promotes order, but kills freedom. It claims to protect the church, but actually hinders her growth.

Let’s be discerning. Let’s be bold. And most of all—let’s be Spirit-filled.

Because Jesus didn’t come to make Pharisees.

He came to set the captives free.