Address Any Self-Righteous Attitudes
Address Any Self-Righteous Attitudes | August 9th
I heard about a man who was to attend a convention for work in a different state that required travel. After flying and renting a car, he headed to the convention center where the event was held. Known for having a heavy foot himself, another driver sped by his vehicle, prompting him to call the police.
He called and said, "Right now, I've witnessed a car speeding well over 120 mph. The license plate no. is……” The cop at the desk who was responding to the call thanked the man for reporting the speeding motorist. At the end of the conversation, the cop asks the man for his license plate number. He's a little surprised. Confused, he said, "Why do you need my license plate number? I just called to report this speeding car." The cops reply, "Well, if he's doing 120, then you must not be far behind in your speed if you can see his license plate!"
See, that's precisely what self-righteousness does to us. It gives the sense that you're seeing something wrong in someone else while ignoring your own issues.
This was the case of the religious leaders, particularly the scribes and Pharisees. Scribes were considered lawyers and experts of the Law. The Pharisees were an influential religious sect within Judaism during the time of Christ and the early church.
Together they held an elevated view of themselves while looking down on others. Perhaps it was their 600-plus man-made commandments that eventually supplanted their commitment to the Ten Commandments or their selective application of the entire Law of Moses. Either way, their self-righteousness blinded them concerning their need for Jesus' gift of salvation.
By definition, you can understand righteousness to be a position of being declared "justified." Therefore, we need a righteousness that far exceeds the self-righteous approach of the scribes and Pharisees.
Matthew 5:20 tells us, "For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven."
The righteousness that God approves of comes from His Son Jesus Christ. Through His death on the cross and victorious resurrection, we have a righteousness that will one day result in eternal life.
Knowing this, treat others right by being humble about your shortcomings and seek almighty God's righteousness above all.
I heard about a man who was to attend a convention for work in a different state that required travel. After flying and renting a car, he headed to the convention center where the event was held. Known for having a heavy foot himself, another driver sped by his vehicle, prompting him to call the police.
He called and said, "Right now, I've witnessed a car speeding well over 120 mph. The license plate no. is……” The cop at the desk who was responding to the call thanked the man for reporting the speeding motorist. At the end of the conversation, the cop asks the man for his license plate number. He's a little surprised. Confused, he said, "Why do you need my license plate number? I just called to report this speeding car." The cops reply, "Well, if he's doing 120, then you must not be far behind in your speed if you can see his license plate!"
See, that's precisely what self-righteousness does to us. It gives the sense that you're seeing something wrong in someone else while ignoring your own issues.
This was the case of the religious leaders, particularly the scribes and Pharisees. Scribes were considered lawyers and experts of the Law. The Pharisees were an influential religious sect within Judaism during the time of Christ and the early church.
Together they held an elevated view of themselves while looking down on others. Perhaps it was their 600-plus man-made commandments that eventually supplanted their commitment to the Ten Commandments or their selective application of the entire Law of Moses. Either way, their self-righteousness blinded them concerning their need for Jesus' gift of salvation.
By definition, you can understand righteousness to be a position of being declared "justified." Therefore, we need a righteousness that far exceeds the self-righteous approach of the scribes and Pharisees.
Matthew 5:20 tells us, "For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven."
The righteousness that God approves of comes from His Son Jesus Christ. Through His death on the cross and victorious resurrection, we have a righteousness that will one day result in eternal life.
Knowing this, treat others right by being humble about your shortcomings and seek almighty God's righteousness above all.
Recent
Promise Keeping Is Good For Your Health | November 28th
November 28th, 2023
Get The Deal Of Two Lifetimes
November 24th, 2023
Counting Blessings Cuts Down Stress
November 23rd, 2023
Bring Encouragement With You This Thanksgiving
November 22nd, 2023
Finish Strong With Forty Days Of Thanksgiving
November 21st, 2023
Archive
2023
August
Good Decisions Require Discernment Live By God's PowerPraying For Real ComfortGetting In Rhythm With GodAvoid Self-Righteous PrayersKeep Your Promises With GodMercy Leads To HappinessAddress Any Self-Righteous AttitudesPraying With ConfidenceHow Does God See You?Turn Away From Whatever Gets You StuckStop Talking About Your ProblemsOur Prayers Reach God's EarsStress Management Starts In The MorningFollowing ChristNavigating The Darkness Of This World Measure God's PromisesLittle Light Of MineGet Your Priorities In OrderPraying Without Results Can Be ToughYou Can Overcome DoubtPray ContinuouslyRescue-Me Prayers Practice Inward KindnessTrust God's TimingSurrender My AgendaFocus On Being A River Rather Than A ReservoirGod's Gracious CoveringYou Are Never Out Of God's ReachSeek God With No Strings Attached
September
Rise Above Your AngerGod Is Fully Aware Of Your AdversityAll The Days Of My LifeBalance Rest And LaborStrive To Always Be SincereBreaking The Habit Of WorryPrayer For Students And SchoolsAn Antidote AnxietyTrust God And Leave The Results To HimDeclareSeek God For Strength Fatigue Makes You Vulnerable To Temptation Put The Work Of Waiting Into MotionTrust In God Leads To Blessing Are You Teachable?BelieveMeditate On Scripture To Manage StressThink Through Your Actions Get Back On God's PathOur Father Who Art In HeavenHallowed Be Thy NameYour Kingdom Come, Your Will Be DoneGive Us This Day Our Daily BreadForgive Us Of Our SinsLead Us Not Into TemptationDeliver Us From The Evil OneFor Yours Is The Kingdom And The Power And The Glory Forever. AmenGetting Out Of Your Mental PitYou Can Have Unshakable FaithKeep Short Accounts With God
October
God Of The Final SayStop Making Excuses And Start Making Adjustments God Acts On Behalf Of Those Who Wait On HimWaiting On God For DirectionGod's Perfect FaithfulnessWaiting Can Wear You OutGod's Refuge Is Your UmbrellaGod's Cover 4 DefenseRemove Negative Labels Live By God's PowerPraying For IsraelDiscouragement Is CurableGarbage In, Garbage Out Seeking God's BlessingMake Sundays Sacred We See A Battle, The Lord Sees Our Victory Refuse To Throw In The Towel God's Timing Is Trustworthy Be Miracle-MindedShake Off Negativity Keep Doing What Is RightMaintain An Active Church MembershipBe An Anyway Type Of PersonDetest Evil, Cling To Good Encouragement is oxygen for the mind.Kindness Will Reward YouCombine Prayer And ActionOvercoming Evil With Good Decisions
No Comments