Topical Bible: Truth of God: Self-Righteous People

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In the biblical context, self-righteousness is often depicted as a spiritual pitfall that stands in contrast to the truth of God. The self-righteous person relies on their own perceived moral superiority and adherence to the law, rather than on God's grace and righteousness. This attitude is frequently addressed in both the Old and New Testaments, where it is shown to be a barrier to genuine faith and repentance.

Old Testament Insights

The Old Testament provides several examples and warnings against self-righteousness. In Isaiah 64:6, the prophet declares, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away." This verse underscores the futility of self-righteousness, emphasizing that human efforts to achieve righteousness apart from God are ultimately inadequate.

The Pharisees, a religious group during the time of Jesus, are often cited as epitomes of self-righteousness. They meticulously followed the letter of the law but frequently missed its spirit. In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14), Jesus illustrates the dangers of self-righteousness. The Pharisee prays, "God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector" (Luke 18:11). In contrast, the tax collector humbly asks for God's mercy, and Jesus concludes that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues to address the issue of self-righteousness, particularly through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. In Matthew 23, Jesus delivers a series of "woes" to the scribes and Pharisees, condemning their hypocrisy and self-righteousness. He states, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence" (Matthew 23:25). This critique highlights the disconnect between outward religious observance and inward spiritual reality.

The Apostle Paul also addresses self-righteousness in his epistles. In Romans 10:3, he writes, "Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness" . Paul emphasizes that true righteousness comes from faith in Christ, not from the law or human effort. In Philippians 3:9, he expresses his desire to "be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God on the basis of faith" .

Spiritual Implications

Self-righteousness is a significant spiritual issue because it leads to pride, judgmental attitudes, and a lack of dependence on God's grace. It can create a false sense of security and hinder one's relationship with God. The Bible consistently calls believers to humility, repentance, and reliance on God's righteousness rather than their own.

In James 4:6, it is written, "But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble'" . This verse encapsulates the biblical teaching that humility and recognition of one's need for God's grace are essential for a right relationship with Him.

Practical Application

For believers, the call is to examine their hearts and motivations, ensuring that their righteousness is rooted in faith and grace rather than self-effort. The pursuit of holiness should be marked by humility and a continual reliance on the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. As believers grow in their understanding of God's truth, they are encouraged to reflect His character, extending grace and mercy to others, just as they have received it from God.

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1 John 1:10
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
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Self-Respect and Self-Righteousness
... melancholy, and hide from them the truth about God, lest the truth should make ... may
be proud of confessing his sins; may become self-righteous and conceited ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xi self-respect and self-righteousness.htm

A Blow at Self-Righteousness
... we make God a liar, and the truth is not ... hard hearts, put ourselves upon God's justice,
God will give ... He that is self-righteous is impenitent, and therefore he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/a blow at self-righteousness.htm

Do are Then Make Void the Law through Faith? God Forbid; Yea, we ...
... so long compassing Mount Sinai, with self-righteous efforts to ... and expecting to
recommend themselves to God in this ... road; I am the way, and the truth, and the ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/do are then make void.htm

The Uses of the Law
... hast not received?' and, By the grace of God I am ... I find that the proudest and most
self-righteous people are those ... The old truth in the book of Job is true now ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the uses of the law.htm

The Three Last Parables of the Per??an Series: the Unrighteous ...
... In truth, this mode ... this Parable follows on the exhibition of a self-righteous,
unmerciful spirit ... absolute and unlimited pardon at the hands of God [4696] - a ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xix the three last.htm

A Jealous God
... nor your sins." So I may well say to every self-righteous person, "You cannot ... by
it, to see well to your ways and receive the truth which sets God on high ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/a jealous god.htm

Nehemiah, the Praying Builder
... We are sure that the truth of the matter is ... the temple to pray, who paraded his
self-righteous claims in ... after the fashion of Hezekiah, who reminded God of his ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/viii nehemiah the praying builder.htm

What Think Ye of Christ?
... was a good man; yet the envious, worldly-minded, self-righteous governors and ... reprobates
concerning the faith; but they who receive the truth of God in the ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/what think ye of christ.htm

The Doctrine of God
... This truth is clearly pronounced also in the material universe ... we are told that Satan
had petitioned God that he might sift the self-righteous patriarch and ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of god.htm

The Pharisee and the Publican.
... were not: it concerned all who were self-righteous, to whatever ... himself not with
the law of God, but with ... character; he knows and owns the truth regarding his ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xxix the pharisee and the.htm