SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1123

“Self-Righteous”

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’

But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” – Luke 18:9-14

Self-Righteousness is defined as having an unfounded certainty that one is totally correct or morally superior. Self-righteousness is the sin of pride which hinders one’s ability to accept the Grace of God for salvation. Let us humbly reflect on the following Scriptures:

There are those who are clean in their own eyes but are not washed of their filth. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. – Proverbs 30:12; – 1 John 1:8

 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. – Isaiah 64:6

… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, …as it is written:“None is righteous, no, not one; – Romans 3:10; – Romans 3:23

There is no room for boasting about our Christian walk. It is not about us and what we have accomplished. It is all about the grace of God through Jesus Christ.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. – Galatians 6:14

As we humbly approach the throne of grace in prayer let us not think more highly of ourselves than we ought always acknowledging our sinful nature and our need for the saving grace of the abiding presence of Jesus in our heart.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment … – Romans 12:3-8

Let the light of Christ shine through all that we say and do so that all may give glory to God.

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:3; – Matthew 5:16; – John 15:5