How can we avoid the Pharisees' attitude in John 9:34 in our lives? Setting the Scene “ ‘You were born in utter sin, and you are instructing us?’ And they threw him out.” (John 9:34) The Pharisees dismissed the man Jesus had healed, revealing hearts steeped in pride, self-righteousness, and spiritual blindness. Spotting the Pharisees’ Attitude • Prideful superiority: believing our pedigree, knowledge, or tradition makes us spiritually elite. • Closed ears: refusing to consider testimony that challenges our assumptions. • Judgmental labeling: reducing people to their past or background instead of seeing God’s work in them. • Fear of losing control: protecting status more than pursuing truth. • Expelling the inconvenient: pushing away voices that expose our own hardness of heart. Practical Steps to Guard Our Hearts 1. Cultivate humility daily • “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3) • Ask God to remind us we are saved by grace alone, not merit (Ephesians 2:8-9). 2. Stay teachable • “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” (James 1:19) • Invite correction from Scripture and mature believers (Proverbs 9:8-9). 3. Remember our own rescue • “Such were some of you; but you were washed…” (1 Corinthians 6:11). • Keeping our testimony fresh softens judgment toward others still in process. 4. Examine motives honestly • “Search me, O God, and know my heart…” (Psalm 139:23). • Regular self-evaluation prevents hidden pride from taking root. 5. Value people over positions • “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” (1 Corinthians 8:1). • Prioritize compassion and relationship above winning arguments. 6. Guard against spiritual tunnel vision • The Pharisees saw only a Sabbath violation; Jesus saw a man restored. • Ask, “What is God doing here?” before reacting (Isaiah 43:19). Scripture to Keep Us Anchored • Luke 18:9-14 — Jesus contrasts the Pharisee’s prayer with the tax collector’s humility. • Romans 12:3 — Think with “sober judgment.” • 1 Peter 5:5 — “Clothe yourselves with humility.” • Hebrews 3:12-13 — Exhort one another lest any develop an unbelieving heart. • 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 — Love’s posture keeps pride at bay. Putting It into Practice • Begin each day confessing dependence on Christ. • Listen fully before responding in conversation, especially when corrected. • Celebrate evidence of God’s grace in others, even if it upends traditions. • Serve anonymously where no applause is possible, training the heart away from recognition. • Keep close friendships that will gently confront blind spots. Pride expelled the healed man; humility will keep us from repeating the Pharisees’ mistake. |
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