What practical steps can we take to avoid being "holier than thou"? The Parable: A Mirror for Our Hearts “Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector… ‘God, I thank You that I am not like the other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector…’ But the tax collector… beat his breast and said, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man, rather than the other, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” The Pharisee’s prayer reveals the heart of being “holier than thou”: self-trust, comparison, and contempt. The tax collector models the opposite: humble dependence on God’s mercy. Common Signs of a “Holier-than-Thou” Spirit • Talking more about others’ sins than our own • Relishing spiritual accomplishments, subtly broadcasting them • Avoiding fellowship with believers who seem less “mature” • Dismissing correction because we “already know” • Measuring closeness to God by external acts instead of heart posture Practical Steps to Cultivate Humility 1. Examine yourself daily • Pray Psalm 139:23-24; invite God to search hidden pride. • Keep a private sin-confession journal; record both failures and God’s forgiveness. 2. Compare upward, not sideways • Measure against Christ’s perfection (Hebrews 12:2) rather than fellow believers. • Remember Romans 3:23—“all have sinned”; level ground at the cross. 3. Celebrate grace, not performance • Replace “Look what I do” with “Look what God has done for me.” • Share testimonies highlighting God’s mercy, not personal achievements. 4. Speak words that build, not belittle • Ephesians 4:29—only speech that gives grace. • Compliment spiritual growth you observe in others; refuse sarcastic comparisons. 5. Serve in hidden ways • Matthew 6:3—“do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” • Volunteer for tasks with little visibility; anonymity weakens pride’s grip. 6. Seek and submit to accountability • Invite a mature believer to ask piercing questions. • Welcome correction without self-defense (Proverbs 27:6). 7. Pray regularly for those you might judge • Intercede for their blessing; God softens a critical spirit when we pray good for others (Luke 6:28). 8. Remember past rescue • Titus 3:3-5—recall who we once were and Who saved us. • Gratitude for deliverance fuels empathy toward current strugglers. Additional Scriptures that Anchor Our Steps • James 4:6 – “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” • Philippians 2:3-4 – “In humility value others above yourselves.” • Galatians 6:1 – Restore the fallen “in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself.” • 1 Corinthians 13:4 – Love “is not arrogant.” Living these truths keeps hearts low before God and open toward people—an effective antidote to being “holier than thou.” |
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