Topical Bible: The Truth of God is Denied by The Self-Righteous

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The denial of God's truth by the self-righteous is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, illustrating the spiritual blindness and pride that can lead individuals away from genuine faith and understanding. The self-righteous, often characterized by their reliance on personal merit and adherence to the law, fail to recognize their need for God's grace and truth.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the self-righteousness of the Israelites is frequently addressed by the prophets. Isaiah speaks against those who are "wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight" (Isaiah 5:21). This self-reliance and pride lead to a rejection of God's truth and a failure to heed His commands. The Israelites' repeated disobedience and reliance on their own understanding rather than God's wisdom serve as a cautionary tale of self-righteousness leading to spiritual downfall.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament further explores this theme, particularly in the teachings of Jesus and the writings of the apostles. Jesus often confronted the Pharisees and religious leaders, who epitomized self-righteousness. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, highlighting the Pharisee's self-righteousness and lack of humility: "The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, 'God, I thank You that I am not like the other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector'" (Luke 18:11). The Pharisee's prayer reveals a heart that denies the truth of God's grace and mercy, relying instead on personal righteousness.

Paul's epistles also address the issue of self-righteousness. In Romans, Paul writes, "For they, being ignorant of God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, did not submit to God's righteousness" (Romans 10:3). Here, Paul underscores the futility of self-righteousness and the necessity of submitting to God's righteousness through faith in Christ.

Theological Implications

The denial of God's truth by the self-righteous has significant theological implications. It underscores the importance of humility and the recognition of one's own sinfulness and need for divine grace. The self-righteous, in their pride, fail to see the truth of the Gospel—that salvation is a gift from God, not a result of human effort or adherence to the law. This denial leads to spiritual blindness and separation from God.

Practical Applications

For believers, the warnings against self-righteousness serve as a call to examine one's own heart and motivations. It is a reminder to rely on God's truth and grace rather than personal merit. The self-righteous attitude can manifest in various ways, such as judgmentalism, legalism, and a lack of compassion for others. Christians are encouraged to cultivate humility, recognizing that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

Conclusion

The denial of God's truth by the self-righteous is a sobering reminder of the dangers of pride and self-reliance. It calls believers to a deeper understanding of God's grace and a humble acceptance of His truth, leading to genuine faith and spiritual growth.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 John 1:10
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Pharisee and the Publican.
... form of godliness, but denied its power, the other denied both the ... his prayer
necessarily transgress the strict limits of truth when he says, "God, I thank ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xxix the pharisee and the.htm

The Serpent Lifted Up
... that which He is now in Heaven, God over all. ... That blessed truth, denied and despised
in our days by many ... fellow, for our sins, is that foundation truth of the ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter xv the serpent lifted.htm

What Think Ye of Christ?
... more so bitterly: for though with and curses he thrice denied me, yet ... and deep attention,
are an evidence, that the Lord God is amongst us of a truth. ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/what think ye of christ.htm

Repentance
... the spotless Son of God and denied the Holy ... Every sinful indulgence strengthens the
soul's aversion to God. ... or a stolid indifference to divine truth, is but ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 3 repentance.htm

The Doctrine of God
... This truth is clearly pronounced also in the material universe; it is the ... Not that
Job was atheistic; no, but probably denied to God the attribute of ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of god.htm

The Two Yokes
... when it is sought of the Lord, it is never denied. ... I speak the truth, there is no
lord like Christ, and ... and to utter departure from the living God, and often ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the two yokes.htm

An Awful Contrast
... Oh, I think that, if I had ever denied Christ's Deity, I should want to ... your ways
to your sins; but if these things be the very truth of God,"and verily ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/an awful contrast.htm

Evidences of Regeneration.
... candor, and suffer himself to be carried by truth, heart, and ... the master of his
appetites and passions, has denied them, and consecrated himself to God. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxx evidences of regeneration.htm

The Chorus of Angels
... of the others will be suspected, if not openly denied. ... If they be truths, they are
the truths of God. Upon the same authority stands the truth of that gracious ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xlix the chorus of.htm

The Two Sons.
... In utter helplessness, they confess the truth that condemns themselves; they say
unto him ... With their lips they honoured God; but in works they denied him. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/x the two sons.htm