Section 51--A Warning to Leaders

"But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, all things are clean unto you." Luke 11:41

 "That is, give your inner life, your love, mercy, compassion, etc., to the blessing of mankind, and then your inner purity will make you proof against outward defilement." -Fourfold Gospel

Fourfold Gospel cross-references:

"Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man." Matthew 15:11

"Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled."Titus 1:15

"Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand." Romans 14:4

BI commentary on Romans 14:4:

Strong and weak
Here is a lesson—

I. For those who are strong in the faith.
1. Not to provoke.
2. Nor despise those who are weak.

II. For those who are weak. Not to judge their stronger brethren.

III. For both.
1. To think and let think.
2. To give each other credit for sincerity. (J. Lyth, D.D.)

"But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and every herb, and pass over justice and the love of God: but these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." Luke 11:42

"The Pharisees in paying the tenth part, or tithe, to God, were so exact that they offered the tenth part of the seed even of the spearmint, rue and other small garden herbs, and many contended that the very stalks of these plants should also be tithed. Jesus commends this care about little things, but nevertheless rebukes the Pharisees because they were as careless about big things, such as justice, and the love of God, as they were careful about herb seed. Rue was a small shrub about two feet high, and is said to have been used to flavor wine, and for medicinal purposes." --Fourfold Gospel

"Woe unto you! for ye are as the tombs which appear not, and the men that walk over them know it not." Luke 11:44

"According to the Mosaic law, any one who touched a grave was rendered unclean (Num. 19:16). That they might not touch graves and be made unclean without knowing it, the Jews white-washed their graves and tombs once a year. But Jesus likens a Pharisee to graves which defiled men unawares. Their hypocrisy concealed their true nature, so that men were injured and corrupted by their influence without being aware of it." -Fourfold Gospel

"Woe unto you lawyers! for ye took away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered." Luke 11:52

 "A true knowledge of the Scriptures was a key which opened the door to the glories of Christ and his kingdom. Thus the lawyer had given away by teaching not the contents of the book, but the rubbish and trifles of tradition. They did not open the door for themselves, and by their pretentious interference they confused others in their efforts to open it." -Fourfold

Jesus reserves his most pointed criticism for the leaders.  From these passages, I glean that leaders should keep their eye on the big blocks of faith---love and justice.  Leaders must be careful not to create "pitfalls" that even inadvertently lead people under them to sin.

Leaders need to examine themselves regularly for the intent of their own hearts and the effectiveness of their leadership to others.