Topical Bible: Fire: The Self-Righteous

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In biblical literature, fire is often used metaphorically to describe various spiritual and moral conditions, including the concept of self-righteousness. Self-righteousness, characterized by an inflated sense of one's own righteousness and moral superiority, is frequently condemned in Scripture. The imagery of fire serves as a powerful symbol to illustrate the destructive nature of this attitude.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament provides numerous instances where fire is used as a symbol of God's judgment and purification. In Isaiah 64:6, the prophet laments the self-righteousness of the people, stating, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags." This passage underscores the futility of self-righteousness in the eyes of God, likening it to something that must be consumed by fire to be purified.

The account of Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10:1-2 serves as a stark warning against self-righteousness. These sons of Aaron offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, an act of presumption and self-will, and were consumed by fire from the Lord as a result. This narrative illustrates the danger of approaching God with a self-righteous attitude, relying on one's own standards rather than His commands.

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, Jesus frequently addresses the issue of self-righteousness, particularly among the Pharisees. In Matthew 23:27-28, Jesus uses vivid imagery to describe the Pharisees: "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." Here, the metaphor of fire is implicit in the purification needed to cleanse such hypocrisy.

The Apostle Paul also addresses self-righteousness in his epistles. In Philippians 3:8-9, Paul contrasts his former self-righteousness with the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ: "More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God on the basis of faith." This passage highlights the transformative power of divine righteousness, which purifies and refines like fire.

Symbolism and Application

The symbolism of fire in relation to self-righteousness is multifaceted. Fire represents both judgment and purification. In the context of self-righteousness, it serves as a reminder of the need for humility and genuine repentance. The self-righteous are warned that their own efforts are insufficient and that true righteousness comes only through faith and submission to God's will.

The imagery of fire also calls believers to self-examination. As 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 states, "his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as if through the flames." This passage encourages believers to build their lives on the foundation of Christ, avoiding the self-righteousness that leads to spiritual destruction.

In summary, the biblical use of fire as a metaphor for self-righteousness serves as a powerful warning and a call to genuine faith and humility. Through the lens of Scripture, believers are encouraged to seek righteousness that comes from God, allowing His refining fire to purify their hearts and lives.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 65:5
Which say, Stand by yourself, come not near to me; for I am holier than you. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burns all the day.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Behold all Ye that Kindle a Fire, that Compass Yourselves About ...
... were in a state of salvation, but in fact their hope was a fire of their ... because
it is his duty to pray in secret and he feels a self-righteous satisfaction in ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/behold all ye that kindle.htm

The Ship on Fire --A Voice of Warning
... having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire." You are ... who vomit
the swearer's oaths, and some who have the proud, self-righteous look which ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/the ship on firea voice.htm

The Herald of the King
... him, and the age seemed to him to be rotting and ready for the fire. ... Self-righteous
pedants who had turned religion into a jumble of petty precepts, and very ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the herald of the king.htm

A Blow at Self-Righteousness
... and, as the old fable hath it, it became a robe of fire to him ... that thou wouldst
flee, above all things, from self-righteousness; for a self-righteous man does ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/a blow at self-righteousness.htm

Do are Then Make Void the Law through Faith? God Forbid; Yea, we ...
... given rather to slay than to make alive, to cut off men's self-righteous hopes for ...
heart, see true benevolence in others, and it is like coals of fire on his ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/do are then make void.htm

The Race of Life
... he is pitiful, and of tender mercy: but with a rod as of fire, of which ... means, and
that the man may know, however cunning, or proud, or self-righteous he may be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/the good news of god/sermon x the race of.htm

The Uses of the Law
... with worse than the water of Noah's flood, it is a great fire which would ... Self-righteous
men are blind men, though they think themselves good and excellent. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the uses of the law.htm

Preface.
... wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.". ... He
was as unsparing and severe towards the hardened and self-righteous sinner, in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/shedd/sermons to the natural man/preface.htm

The Extent and Reasonableness of Self-Denial
... need of self-denial; but since we are fallen, sickly, disordered, self-righteous
creatures, we ... be cast into hell, where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the extent and reasonableness of.htm

Satan's Banquet
... "Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? ... white fiends who wait at it, and
they will tell you, "This is the table of the self-righteous: the Pharisee ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/satans banquet.htm