Beware of Self-Righteousness

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.   For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

 Ephesians 2:8-10

When we begin to think that because of our walk and our work for God - or even because God allows us in His permissive will, or we feel justified and entitled to do wrong, or to think that we are better than others - that our salvation is asssured, we are in serious error. We have fallen into the deadly trap of self-righteousness.

The dictionary definition of self-righteousness is “confidence in one’s own righteousness, especially when smugly moralistic and intolerant of the opinions and behavior of others.”

Biblically speaking, self-righteousness is the idea that we can somehow generate within ourselves a righteousness that will be acceptable to God. Although any believer would recognize the error of this thought, because of our sin nature, it is a constant temptation to all of us to believe we are, or can be, righteous in and of ourselves. But the bible tells us:

For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.  Romans 10:3

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.  Philippians 2:3

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.  Romans 12:3

Jesus spoke of a parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector that shows one of the many ways in which self-righteousness is displayed:

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 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. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon 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 every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.   Luke 18:9–14

The Pharisee assumed his acceptance with God was based on his own actions, whereas the tax collector recognized that there was nothing he had done that would cause God to approve of him. Apostle Paul lets us know:

For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.   Romans 10:3

What happens is that we reduce God down to our level and falsely assume that because we are pleased with our self or that others are pleased with us, God is therefore or must be pleased with us also. But the bible states that there is a disconnect between our thoughts and God’s thoughts

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
Isaiah 55:8

We think that because we move people with our words, that this somehow puts us in special favor with God and causes us to be exempt from His word as if it somehow does not apply to us.

But, I will tell you, God is not so much looking at your actions or your deeds as much as He is concerned with the condition of your heart.

And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.  Luke 16:15

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.   Luke 6:45

We should see our self in the same manner that Apostle Paul saw himself; not arrived, but always striving:

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12

Self-righteousness grieves the Holy Spirit and rightly so. Consider that if righteousness could come from our own actions, then Jesus died “for no purpose”

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.    Galatians 2:21

Consider that if righteousness could come “by the law”

Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.  Galatians 3:21

Imagine God looking at a person in their self-righteousness and asking the question, 

"Who Do You Think You Are

after I sent my blameless son to die an agonizing death for your sins?" 

It would be an understatement to say that every believer is touched by this attitude at some point and unfortunately many succumb to it. It is in our sin nature to try to do something to merit our salvation. But, all we have to remember is that Jesus paid it for us! The costly freedom of grace, bought for us by the blood of Jesus with no contribution from us, is difficult for our hearts to understand or appreciate. 

It is far easier to compare ourselves with one another than it is to 

recognize that we do not measure up to the standards of a holy God

without even considering that it is only in Christ that we can know true righteousness.

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.   2 Corinthians 5:21

We all want to make a good impression! Unfortunately, many of us forget that God is much more concerned about the intent and the condition of our heart than He is about our actions. You may fool man, but you cannot fool God! If we want to impress someone let it be God.

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.   Hebrews 4:13 

For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.  2 Corinthians 10:18

God knows the very thoughts and intentions of our hearts

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.   Proverbs 16:2

Someday we will stand before God to give an account of our lives. So we must judge our sins based on that premise. Self-righteous people tend to justify themselves by blaming others. Self-righteousness is a very difficult sin to get people to see and condemn in themselves. But it’s a serious, damnable sin because it keeps people from seeing their need for the gospel. It believes the lie that we can be good enough in ourselves to qualify for heaven. Thus we don’t need a Savior who died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.

It is easy to be blind to this deadly sin of self-righteousness.   Review this list of signs and symptoms to see if you fall into any or all of these categories:  

√     You are apt self-righteously to judge others for the very same sins that you commit.

“Therefore, you have no excuse, every one of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.  Romans 2:1

√     A self-righteous person judges the sins of others while overlooking their own sins. 

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.  Matthew 7:5

√     A self-righteous person judges others based on selective standards, not on all of God’s Word. 

The Pharisees picked out certain parts of the Law and prided themselves in their obedience, but they neglected other matters of the Law

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.   Matthew 23:23

 The self-righteous person picks parts of the Bible that he likes and prides himself on keeping those parts. 

√     A self-righteous person is more concerned about external conformity than with true, inner godliness. 

Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.    Matthew 23:28

Self-righteous persons want to keep up outward “Christian” appearances, but they don’t judge their own sins on the heart level. For example, they put on the happy Christian face at church, but use abusive speech with their families at home.

√     A self-righteous person is not interested in helping others grow in godliness, but only in gaining a following. 

"But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.”   Matthew 23:13

They didn’t care about the people or their hearts before God. They just wanted to gain followers so that they looked good.

√     A self-righteous person justifies himself by comparing himself with others or by blaming others for his own sins. 

In the parable of the Pharisee who went to the temple and prayed, 

“God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get”  Luke 18:11-12

He wasn’t comparing himself with God’s Word, which condemns pride. Rather, he was comparing himself with others who, in his mind, were worse than he was. In his mind, he kept some of the Law; the tax collector didn’t keep any of it.

If you find yourself exhibiting any of the above signs, get it right quickly before God! Don't be blinded because it appears as if God is smiling down on you. We need to know that the riches of God’s kindness, tolerance, and patience should lead us to repentance, not to presumptuousness of His grace.

“Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?”    Romans 2:4

If we think that we can get away with sin because God is kind, tolerant, and patient, we are sadly mistaken! His kindness should lead us to repentance, not to self-righteous complacency.   

God’s solution is to deal with our sins on the heart level before Him. Come to Christ and confess our sins, turning from them, and He will forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.   1 John 1:9

Spend time daily in His Word.   It is like looking in the mirror and we don't always like what we see but it is God's grace and mercy that is giving us the opportunity to get right before Him.  God will show us exactly what He sees in us and it is His expectation that we get in the posture to be cleansed of our unrighteousness.

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