One of the most disturbing examples of the sin of self-righteousness can be found in the prayer of the Pharisee who went up to the temple to pray. This particular individual had apparently spent a lot of time evaluating others, and as he dwelt on the sins and faults of his fellowmen, and church brethren, he finally came to the tragic conclusion that he was quite righteous in comparison, and because of this, his prayer was of the “Trump” variety, recounting all of his good deeds before God, so as to warrant His favor.
Thus there are some critically important lessons for us to take away from his experience, for we should at all cost, avoid emulating his example. And as we study the various aspects of his prayer, we would see clearly that we all are in dire need of the grace of Christ. The following therefore are just a few of the deductions made from his prayer, and it is the will of God that we review them with a humble and teachable spirit, so that wherever in our lives, the same tendencies are mirrored, we can confess and forsake the sin of self-righteousness. Let’s read:
Luke 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Observations:
[1] Throughout his entire prayer, he never asks for forgiveness, because, as far as he is concerned, he never does anything wrong, and so God’s mercies are not needed.
The sin of self-righteousness often manifests itself in a brand of thanksgiving that makes oneself the center of attraction, for it seeks to enumerate in great detail all the so-called good deeds that were performed during the week. It goes out of its way to keep a record of these good actions so as to portray oneself in the most favorable light before God and man. In contrast, the truly righteous tend to forget the good deeds they have done, for they are aware that their good deeds were performed through the grace and power of Christ. Let’s read:
Matthew 7:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
A very interesting and important commentary is written by the servant of The Lord, as it pertains to all our good deeds, and accomplishments, both in
the church, and wherever we may go. The fact of the matter is that if Christ were removed from the human equation, there won’t be any good deeds, for we do not have it naturally within ourselves to do any good. This solemn fact applies even to those who claim to do good without Christ, for they do not acknowledge His work in their hearts, yet His Spirit continues to strive with men. But when The Holy Ghost is finally removed from the equation, the Bible gives us a glimpse of what our world will rapidly descend into. Let’s read:
Genesis 6:3 And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh”….
5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
[Patriarchs and prophets pp. 717] The Bible has little to say in praise of men. Little space is given to recounting the virtues of even the best men who have ever lived. This silence is not without purpose; it is not without a lesson. All the good qualities that men possess are the gift of God; their good deeds are performed by the grace of God through Christ. Since they owe all to God the glory of whatever they are or do belongs to Him alone; they are but instruments in His hands. More than this—as all the lessons of Bible history teach—it is a perilous thing to praise or exalt men; for if one comes to lose sight of his entire dependence on God, and to trust to his own strength, he is sure to fall.
This leads us to our second observation from the prayer of the Pharisee.
“I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers”
[2] The sin of self-righteousness makes it a duty to keep strict records of the errors and shortcomings of others, for as the Pharisee prays, he seems to have a check list of the sins of the people. Thus a lot of his time is spent closely investigating the sins of fellow church brethren, and because of this he is effectively used by the adversary of souls as a ready conduit for bad news, as is evidenced in his prayer. This second aspect of the sin of self-righteousness is particularly disturbing, for it causes us to do satan’s dirty work of spreading, and exposing the errors of other brethren, instead of diligently seeking to hide a multitude of sins, as the apostle James indicates. Let’s read:
James 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Proverbs 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
Proverbs 17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
The “Repetition of a Matter” was indulged by the Pharisee, and some may be inclined to excuse him on the grounds that his prayer may have been done in secret. But the scripture forbids this practice even when it is done privately, for God is a Spirit, and the malice and bitterness and tale-bearing encouraged in secret is just as offensive in His sight as the open-carry variety. Some Christians may not have been aware of this previously, and somehow may have inadvertently done that which is not right in God’s sight. Let’s read:
Ecclesiastes 10:20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
Leviticus 19:16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour; I am the Lord.
Proverbs 18:8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
[3] The sin of self-righteousness often brands the entire body of believers as hypocrites, just because of the errors of a few, which incites some to refer to the remnant people of God as “Those guys”. Thus all the good work that the General conference is doing throughout the world, and the many millions of people who have been helped by ADRA, are all tossed out because of the apparent unfaithfulness or real sins of a few. When in his prayer, the poor Pharisee refers to “Other men”, he thus included every church member, and all would-be candidates for heaven, judging the entire church body based on the sins of one person. This tendency often leads to serious divisions in the church, and is frequently the catalyst for establishing off-shoot churches. Let’s read:
Hebrews 12:13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.
1st Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
[Christ Object lessons pp. 152] For each of the classes represented by the Pharisee and the publican there is a lesson in the history of the apostle Peter. In his early discipleship Peter thought himself strong. Like the Pharisee, in his own estimation he was “not as other men are.” When Christ on the eve of His betrayal forewarned His disciples, “All ye shall be offended because of Me this night,” Peter confidently declared, “Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.” Peter did not know his own danger. Self-confidence misled him.
He thought himself able to withstand temptation; but in a few short hours the test came, and with cursing and swearing he denied his Lord. When the crowing of the cock reminded him of the words of Christ, surprised and shocked at what he had just done he turned and looked at his Master. At that moment Christ looked at Peter, and beneath that grieved look, in which compassion and love for him were blended, Peter understood himself.
Let’s take for instance the following ideal given in the scriptures, as to how we should react to the injustice in certain forms against ourselves. Let’s read:
Matthew 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
If asked, we may tell others of what we would like to do in such situations, and we can presently quote a number of texts which demonstrate what should be done, but what we will actually do in such and such a situation, no one knows, but God alone, and thus the scriptures teach us not to put any trust or confidence in human performance, but rather to distrust ourselves, by placing our utmost confidence in what God can, and will do through us. Let’s read:
[Christ Object Lessons pp. 152] He went out and wept bitterly. That look of Christ's broke his heart. Peter had come to the turning point, and bitterly did he repent his sin. He was like the publican in his contrition and repentance, and like the publican he found mercy. The look of Christ assured him of pardon. Now his self-confidence was gone. Never again were the old boastful assertions repeated. Christ after His resurrection thrice tested Peter. “Simon, son of Jonas,” He said, “lovest thou Me more than these?”
Peter did not now exalt himself above his brethren. He appealed to the One who could read His heart. “Lord,” he said, “Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee.” Then he received his commission. A work broader and more delicate than had heretofore been his was appointed him. Christ bade him feed the sheep and the lambs. In thus committing to his stewardship the souls for whom the Saviour had laid down his own life, Christ gave to Peter the strongest proof of confidence in his restoration.
The once restless, boastful, self-confident disciple had become subdued and contrite. Henceforth he followed his Lord in self-denial and self-sacrifice. He was a partaker of Christ's sufferings; and when Christ shall sit upon the throne of His glory, Peter will be a partaker in His glory.
The good news is that the sin of self-righteousness is not altogether hopeless, for the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sins. Yet there are certain pitfalls and snares to avoid in the Christian journey, so as not to succumb to this sin. The first, and the most important medicine that is required when treating the sin of self-righteousness, is for us to:
[1] Behold Christ.
By beholding His perfection, His purity, His flawless righteousness, and His great mercy in dying to save us from our sins, we will avoid falling into the snare of judging ourselves by merely human standards, which are seriously flawed. When we observe the perfection in Christ, our behaviors and actions pale in comparison, and thus we can never conclude that we are not like other men, as the Pharisee did.
[2] Believe the Bible testimony about ourselves.
The scriptural evaluation of all human beings in our natural state is not good and this inconvenient truth has often proved a pretty difficult pill to swallow. The scripture tells us that there is none that doeth good, nor is there anyone who naturally seeks after God, no not one. Thus, to someone who has been born into a Christian household, who, for many years have repeated their memory verses, and has been quite active in the church for as long as they can remember, it is quite a shock to find out that there is none that’s naturally good, no not one.
As a matter of fact, the Hebrews often referred to their descendancy from the line of Abraham, as proof that they must have been born with some good in themselves naturally. And even in our day, Stevie Wonder has taken up the very same mode of thought and evaluation, as is evidenced in the song “Ebony and Ivory”, in which he declares that there is good and bad in everyone. But what does the scripture say? Let’s read:
John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.
38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God”…
Thus the very crux of the matter is encapsulated in the following verses, and we would do well to read them with a humble and contrite spirit, for they do delineate, in terms that may not seem politically correct, our true nature, our real selves. Let’s read:
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Psalm 14:2 The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Isaiah 1:6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.
1st Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
The question we must answer individually is, do we accept this scriptural evaluation of ourselves in our natural state, or do we much more prefer to go with the Stevie Wonder doctrine, that there is good and bad in everyone? If we desire to avoid the sin of self-righteousness, we will have to first accept the scriptural evaluation, and then proceed onto the next step, by beholding Christ. Thus it is with solemn pathos that we read the following quotation from the servant of The Lord, with the hope that we
harbor right concepts of the frailty of human nature, while at the same time taking hold of Christ, the Eternal and Perfect one, in whom all perfect righteousness and purity is centered. Let’s read:
[Christ Object Lessons pp. 154] The evil that led to Peter's fall and that shut out the Pharisee from communion with God is proving the ruin of thousands today. There is nothing so offensive to God or so dangerous to the human soul as pride and self-sufficiency. Of all sins it is the most hopeless, the most incurable. Peter's fall was not instantaneous, but gradual. Self-confidence led him to the belief that he was saved, and step after step was taken in the downward path, until he could deny his Master.
Never can we safely put confidence in self or feel, this side of heaven, that we are secure against temptation. Those who accept the Saviour, however sincere their conversion, should never be taught to say or to feel that they are saved. This is misleading. Everyone should be taught to cherish hope and faith; but even when we give ourselves to Christ and know that He accepts us, we are not beyond the reach of temptation. God's word declares, “Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried.” Only he who endures the trial will receive the crown of life.
Those who accept Christ, and in their first confidence say, I am saved, are in danger of trusting to themselves. They lose sight of their own weakness and their constant need of divine strength. They are unprepared for Satan's devices, and under temptation many, like Peter, fall into the very depths of sin. We are admonished, “Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.” Our only safety is in constant distrust of self, and dependence on Christ.
It was necessary for Peter to learn his own defects of character, and his need of the power and grace of Christ. The Lord could not save him from trial, but He could have saved him from defeat. Had Peter been willing to receive Christ's warning, he would have been watching unto prayer. He would have walked with fear and trembling lest his feet should stumble. And he would have received divine help so that Satan could not have gained the victory.
It was through self-sufficiency that Peter fell; and it was through repentance and humiliation that his feet were again established. In the record of his experience every repenting sinner may find encouragement.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which should encourage us to put our entire confidence in Christ and His righteousness, not in ours, for Jesus is to be everything to you and me. Let’s read:
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. God bless!