Okie-Dokies

What is a Pharisee?
I would like to define what a modern day Pharisee is, but can I truly define or judge a person to be a Pharisse without being of the same spirit as one myself?
A little history here before I continue. The Lord opened the eyes of my heart to the Gospel in 1988 & I was a changed man. I attended The 1st Baptist Church in my hometown and was living by grace for about a year. During that time I attended about every conference and activity that our county and state assoc. had and listened to bible teachers on the radio. Slowly my happiness and joy left me has I tried to live by the teaching I was listening to. I was slowing turning from living by grace to living by the law or so called traditions or law invented by the flesh by "learned" teachers out of seminary schools. Now I'm not saying all the teachings I was listening to was wrong but a little leaven infects the whole lump. I'm also not trying to put all the blame on the teachers, it was my fault to for not seeing if what I was learning was what the bible really taught. I finally quit going to church in 1995 and didn't return till 2004. I am the one responsible for my sins not these teachers.
Ok now back to the reason I started this semi rant. It seems when anyone writes a new book that has some popularity to it, several people usually from southern baptist schools try to pick apart every detail of the book and discredit it. Some times their right but most of the time I think they are being like the pharisees were in early church times and think they are doing God a service thinking they know more than others especially those who have not been to school and feel the need to tear down everything that doesn't match up to their interpretation. These are the same people who most likely would say that those who have fallen back into sin were never really converted to start with. They could have said that about me when I became frustrated with giving in to temptations and looked for help from these same people that I think satan uses to confuse true believers and drive them away from a law demanding God without making sure no one misses grace of God (Hebrews 12:15). I was totally living a life apart from Christ but something was different living this life after I had experienced the grace of God. I was not liking it, I knew what I had before and wanted it back but I couldn't get it back as long has I was looking for my performance according to the law to get me there. So needless to say I hate legalism and need grace to keep me from becoming more bitter toward those who, out of ignorance or not, spread this teaching thinking they know God. I have one scripture that stands out in my mind that has helped me get back on track and might help those who are legalist to get honest with themselves. Its John 5:39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; Salvation and living the Christian life is not about law. Its about God Himself revealed through Jesus Christ His Son and the law is what points us to Him.