Self-righteousness, nature of

Self-righteousness fosters the sinful human illusions of sinlessness, sufficiency and freedom.

The claim to self-righteousness

Romans 10:3 See also Luke 10:29, Luke 18:9; Philippians 3:4–6

Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.

The illusion of self-righteousness

That people are sinless

1 John 1:8 See also Proverbs 20:9; Hosea 12:8

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

That people are guiltless

Proverbs 16:2 See also Jeremiah 2:34–35

All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.

That people are deserving

Deuteronomy 9:4 See also Ezekiel 28:2

When the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say in your heart, “Because of my righteousness the LORD has brought me in to possess this land.” Rather, the LORD is driving out these nations before you because of their wickedness.

The results of self-righteousness

Self-deception

1 John 1:5–6 See also Proverbs 30:12; Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 23:23–24, Matthew 23:27–28; Luke 16:15; Hebrews 3:13

And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

A sense of superiority

Luke 18:9–11 See also Philippians 2:3; Colossians 2:16–18

To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men — swindlers, evildoers, adulterers — or even like this tax collector.

Separation from God

1 John 1:10 See also Zephaniah 3:11; 2 Corinthians 10:18; Galatians 5:4

If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.

Examples of self-righteousness

Numbers 16:3 some Israelites opposed to Moses; 1 Samuel 15:13–21 Saul; Psalm 10:5 the wicked; Luke 16:14, Luke 18:9–14; John 9:39–41; Revelation 3:17–18 the church at Laodicea