Definition and Characteristics:

The term "self-righteous" refers to individuals who consider themselves morally superior to others, often characterized by an attitude of smugness or unwarranted confidence in their own righteousness. In a biblical context, self-righteousness is seen as a spiritual pitfall, where individuals rely on their own perceived goodness rather than the grace and righteousness of God.

Biblical Examples:

1. The Pharisees and Scribes:
The Pharisees and scribes are often depicted in the New Testament as epitomes of self-righteousness. They were meticulous in their observance of the law but often missed the spirit behind it. Jesus frequently rebuked them for their hypocrisy and self-righteous attitudes. In Matthew 23:27-28 , Jesus says, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."

2. The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector:
In Luke 18:9-14 , Jesus tells a parable that contrasts the self-righteousness of a Pharisee with the humility of a tax collector. The Pharisee prays, "God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I receive." In contrast, the tax collector humbly prays, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner!" Jesus concludes that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified before God.

Theological Implications:

Self-righteousness is fundamentally at odds with the Christian doctrine of salvation by grace through faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." Self-righteousness leads individuals to trust in their own deeds rather than in the redemptive work of Christ.

Warnings Against Self-Righteousness:

1. Pride and Arrogance:
Self-righteousness often breeds pride and arrogance, which are condemned throughout Scripture. Proverbs 16:18 warns, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

2. Judgmental Attitude:
Those who are self-righteous tend to judge others harshly, failing to recognize their own shortcomings. Jesus warns against this in Matthew 7:1-5 , urging believers to first address their own faults before judging others.

3. Lack of True Repentance:
Self-righteous individuals may struggle with genuine repentance, as they do not see their need for forgiveness. In Revelation 3:17 , the church in Laodicea is admonished for its self-sufficiency: "You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing,’ but you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked."

Call to Humility:

The Bible consistently calls believers to humility and reliance on God's grace. James 4:6 reminds us, "But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" True righteousness is found not in self-reliance but in a humble acknowledgment of one's need for God's mercy and grace.