Topical Encyclopedia Self-righteousness, a term often associated with an inflated sense of one's own righteousness or moral superiority, is frequently addressed in the Bible as a spiritual pitfall. It is characterized by a boastful attitude, where individuals rely on their own perceived moral achievements rather than the grace and righteousness of God. This attitude is condemned in Scripture, as it leads to pride and a lack of humility before God and others.The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that highlight the dangers of self-righteousness. In the New Testament, Jesus frequently confronted the Pharisees, who exemplified self-righteous behavior. They were known for their strict adherence to the law and their outward displays of piety, yet their hearts were often far from God. In Matthew 23:27-28 , Jesus rebukes them, saying, "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." The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of self-righteousness in his epistles. In Romans 10:3 , he writes about the Israelites, "For they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own. They did not submit to God’s righteousness." Here, Paul emphasizes that self-righteousness stems from a failure to recognize and submit to the righteousness that comes from God alone. Self-righteousness is inherently boastful because it places confidence in human effort rather than divine grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds believers, "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." This passage underscores the futility of boasting in one's own righteousness, as salvation is a gift from God, not a result of human achievement. The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14 further illustrates the contrast between self-righteousness and true humility. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed, "God, I thank You that I am not like the 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 stood at a distance, unwilling to even lift his eyes to heaven, and prayed, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner!" Jesus concludes that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified before God, for "everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." The Old Testament also warns against self-righteousness. Proverbs 27:2 advises, "Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips." This wisdom literature cautions against self-praise and encourages humility, recognizing that true righteousness is acknowledged by others and ultimately by God. In summary, self-righteousness is inherently boastful and contrary to the teachings of Scripture. It is a reliance on one's own perceived moral superiority rather than the grace and righteousness of God. The Bible consistently calls believers to humility, recognizing that righteousness comes from God alone and that boasting in oneself is both misguided and spiritually dangerous. Torrey's Topical Textbook Matthew 23:30And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Sermon on the Mount - the Kingdom of Christ and Rabbinic ... The Purification of the virgin and the Presentation in the Temple A Message from God for Thee Christianity Requires the Temper of Childhood. The Three Last Parables of the Per??an Series: the Unrighteous ... The Gospel of Luke Resources What is righteousness? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the weapons of righteousness in 2 Corinthians 6:7? | GotQuestions.org What is impartation? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Self-Righteousness is Boastful Self-Righteousness is Vain Because Our Righteousness Is: But External Self-Righteousness is Vain Because Our Righteousness Is: But Partial Self-Righteousness is Vain Because Our Righteousness Is: Ineffectual for Salvation Self-Righteousness is Vain Because Our Righteousness Is: No Better than Filthy Rags Self-Righteousness is Vain Because Our Righteousness Is: Unprofitable Self-Righteousness: Church of Laodicea Self-Righteousness: Denunciation Against Self-Righteousness: General Scriptures Concerning Self-Righteousness: Hateful to God Self-Righteousness: Illustrated Self-Righteousness: Man is Prone To Self-Righteousness: Saints Renounce Self-Righteousness: The Laodicean Congregation Self-Righteousness: They Who are Given to are Abominable Before God Self-Righteousness: They Who are Given to are Pure in Their own Eyes Self-Righteousness: They Who are Given to Audaciously Approach God Self-Righteousness: They Who are Given to Condemn Others Self-Righteousness: They Who are Given to Consider Their own Way Right Self-Righteousness: They Who are Given to Despise Others Self-Righteousness: They Who are Given to Proclaim Their own Goodness Self-Righteousness: They Who are Given to Reject the Righteousness of God Self-Righteousness: They Who are Given to Seek to Justify Themselves Self-Righteousness: They Who are Given to Seek to Justify Themselves Before Men Self-Righteousness: Warning Against Supererogation: The Doctrine of Excessive and Meritorious Righteousness Related Terms |
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