Majoring in the Minors: How Hypocrisy, Legalism, and Self-Righteousness Fuel Spiritual Abuse (Spiritual Abuse Series)
How do spiritually abusive environments form, and why do they often look so “religious”? This fourth installment in the ongoing Spiritual Abuse series dives deep into Jesus’ own critiques of religious leaders as a template for recognizing toxic patterns in modern churches and Christian communities. Mike Erre and Andy Lara explore themes of hypocrisy, majoring on the minors, and the death of mercy—all signs that a group is more interested in control and image than transformation and love.
Drawing from Jesus' confrontations with Pharisees in Luke 11, they examine how legalism, performative spirituality, and prideful self-righteousness continue damaging people today—especially within churches where power dynamics, surface-level morality, and theological rigidity replace empathy, authenticity, and the true heart of the gospel.
Key Takeaways: • Hypocrisy and the Heart – Jesus prioritizes inner transformation over outward religious performance. Mike reflects on how external conformity without internal renewal fosters abusive environments. • Majoring on the Minors – How churches and leaders often elevate secondary issues (like worship styles or doctrinal minutiae) above justice, mercy, and love—a pattern that mirrors the Pharisees. • The Death of Mercy – A lack of compassion reveals a distorted spirituality. “Mercy over sacrifice” becomes the litmus test for Jesus’ kind of obedience. • Idolizing Leadership – When church leaders seek admiration rather than servanthood, it weaponizes power and marginalizes the broken—the exact opposite of Christ’s model of pastoral care. • Social Media and the Illusion of Holiness – From curated personas online to platform culture in the church, Mike and Andy unpack how performative righteousness today mirrors ancient religious pride.
Resources Mentioned: • Luke 11 – The “Woe” Passages: Jesus' rebuke of Pharisaical religion and hypocrisy • Larry Osborne’s book – “Accidental Pharisees: Avoiding Pride, Exclusivity, and the Dangers of Overzealous Faith” • Vox update and info on the Vox Community Church – www.voxoc.com • Voxology Spotify Channel: Voxology Radio
Join us in this honest, sometimes hilarious, often convicting reflection on why Jesus’ harshest words were for the religious—and how his gentlest acts were always for outcasts, sinners, and the oppressed. Share your stories, wrestle with grace, and don't forget to subscribe, review, and follow Voxology on your favorite platforms.
As always, we encourage and welcome discussion as we pursue truth together. Email us at hello@voxpodcast.com and engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.
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Learn more at voxologypodcast.com
Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify
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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy
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As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.
We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.
Our Merch Store! ETSY
Learn more about the Voxology Podcast
Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify
Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon
The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio
Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook
Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre
Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford
Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy