OVERLY RIGHTEOUS

Have you ever had a conversation with someone who acted holier-than-thou?

Did the individual act as though he or she was right and everyone else was wrong?

I'm guessing the answer is yes. We've all encountered these people.

How did these encounters make you feel?

Did they make you want to change your ways, or did they make you want to do just the opposite?

Seldom do conversations with self-righteous people make us want to be like them.

But, here is the burn. You may be self-righteous without even realizing it because self-righteousness is something no one sees in the mirror. Life isn't fair and no one is better than anyone else. Which is a fact people love to intentionally forget.

Many people act self-righteous, but they don't see it that way. Why? Because they see it as being right.

For example, if you catch yourself putting down others'  behaviors and justifying your own, you might be self-righteous.

"Believing you are better and more moral than other people, often expressed in an annoying or offensive way." Cambridge Dictionary

Simply put, a self-righteous person is someone who believes he or she is better than, and morally superior to someone else..

I'm sorry to say this, and please keep it between us, but I think that sounds like a lot of "Christians." If you call yourself a "Christian," you really need to examine your heart on the subject. Christian self-righteousness is the worst kind and so repulsive. The exact opposite of what Christ really meant for us to be.

Be logical, let them explain themselves - some people have to see how silly they sound to realize how silly they are. Present them with facts, proven information that they're willfully ignoring. This is when the defense mechanisms kick in - but this means that they're listening to you.

Be Better Than Them.

A true Christian never boasts of his own righteousness because a true Christian knows he doesn't have any through his own initiative. A true Christian knows from where his righteousness really comes.

Self-Righteous Does Not Belong at all to the "Righteous"

Often, people only associate "self-righteousness"  with people who are Christians.

This is understandable because the word "righteous"  is used throughout the Bible to describe those who conform their heart and lives to godly living.

However, the term "self-righteous" does not belong solely to those who follow God.

In fact, anyone can be self-righteous if they believe their ways are the right ways, and everyone else's ways are wrong. Sound familiar?

Self-righteousness attitudes are rampant as people become intent on proving their moral superiority.

Whether you are or aren't a Christian, you can easily fall into the trap of self-righteousness and the sin of justifying yourself.

The Sin of Justifying Yourself

The "self" tacked on to "righteousness"  is the problem. When you start justifying self, you get into trouble.

For example, those who are self-righteous are quick to point out the sins in others to justify their own shortcomings, insecurities, and sinful behavior.

Hypocrisy: Self-righteousness reeks of hypocrisy. 

Self-righteousness focuses on the outward behavior of others rather than one's own heart. 

These want attention for their imagined "righteousness," such as the Pharisees in the Bible.

Pride: Those who are self-righteous are often full of pride.  

Self-righteousness focuses on the outward behavior of others rather than one’s own heart. 

Judgment: Self-righteousness is fed by judging others. 

Not only do they judge others, but they make up their own rules for judging others. 

They think they are better than others based on actions. They blame others for their own sins, and they justify themselves by judging others.

One of my favorite Bible verses - "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

– Matthew 7:3-5

- These want attention for their imagined “righteousness,” such as the Pharisees in the Bible. Jesus says, “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them (Matthew 6:1 NIV).”

The Pharisees’ self-righteousness and pride prevented them from recognizing and seeing their need of the Savior. -

The Problem with Self-Righteousness is You are Not God

The problem with self-righteousness is that it makes the person believe he or she is righteous.

They arrogantly put themselves in the position of God bestowing judgment on whomever they see fit. That's a big problem.

As you read this, if you're thinking of other people, stop. Consider yourself. Think through your own actions. Apply this to you. The self-righteous will have a difficult time examining their heart. That might be a clue that it's you.

"Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you - who are you to judge your neighbor?"

– Romans 4:11-12

You Cannot Save Yourself. You Need the Savior.

Here's the truth: no matter how good you are according to the world's moral standards, you will never be good enough.

You are a sinner. We all are (Romans 3:23).

No matter if we follow most of the rules and keep most of the commandments, it's impossible to "qualify for heaven" on our own.