Are You Sure You are Not the Pharisee in this Story?

Luke 18:9-14 records the story of the Pharisee and the Publican (tax collector), a parable told by Jesus Himself.

Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” NKJV (emphasis added)

Which one are you?

For years I read this and assumed I was the Publican. I was wrong. 

Self-righteousness is a dangerous sin that easily creeps into lives of Christians, particularly those born and raised in the church. It is a powerful manifestation of pride. One that Satan intentionally plants in the hearts of those zealous for the things of God. Such people will not easily fall into "big" sin like murder, theft, or immorality. But when it comes to "small" sin like pride, strife, and unforgiveness? Oh, how susceptible we church folk are. 

Sin is sin, my dear people. Homosexuality is not "bigger" than Slander.

I am so thankful to God for opening my eyes to see how self-righteous I was. I had to do some serious repentance, and every now and then, I still check myself. Because these things have a way of coming back into our lives... after all, we have a very committed and strategic enemy. Do you think he will ever give up trying to separate us from God?

Do not get me wrong, as a Christian, you have to have standards (as outlined clearly in the Bible), and sometimes communicating these standards might be misunderstood as self-righteousness. That is why it is important to understand what self-righteousness really is. Read the passage above again, please.

Self-righteousness is a heart posture. It expresses itself in three main ways:

1. When you are more aware of the sin of others than your own sin. You are always quick to point out what is wrong with someone or something else.
2. When you regard your good works as enough to earn you right standing with God.
3. When you are easy to offend, and find it difficult to forgive.

A publican, on the other hand, does not go a day without asking for mercy. He has allowed God to open his eyes, and convict him of his shortcomings. Repentance is a regular practice for him because he is so aware of his unworthiness and how undeserving he is of God's goodness. Therefore for him, praise,     thanksgiving, and worship are not superficial, but deep spiritual experiences. Of course, he is also hard to offend, and quick to forgive.

May God help us truly examine our hearts and repent if necessary. For such pride does hinder us in many ways.  

Romans 12:3 "For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith" NKJV