The Danger of Self-Righteousness

Open: Diagnostic questions for determining if you are an alcoholic. Answer a series of questions re: alcohol habits and if you answer a certain number “yes” then you have a problem

Transition: The Bible contains spiritual assessments that will reveal if a person is self-righteous. In tonight’s Parable, Jesus tells a story that illustrates the dangers of trusting in one’s own efforts.

Read the Text: Luke 18:9-14)

You might be a self-righteous Pharisee if you approach God with a posture of Pride (Luke 18:11a)

Explanation: The Pharisee and the Publican shared several common beliefs. They both believed in God and they both believed in the importance of prayer. They both came to the Temple to approach God.

The attitude in their posture is revealing. The Pharisee came and stood to pray. There is nothing sinful or inappropriate with standing to pray. The Bible has many instances of saints standing and praying and God was well-pleased on those occasions (1 Samuel 1:26, Psalm 4:3-4; 2 Chronicles 6:3). We stand to pray during our worship and we stand in honor for the reading of the Word during our morning worship. The posture of standing is not the problem. The problem was in the attitude the Pharisees brought with them.

Argument: Jesus calls the Pharisees on this very topic in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matt 6 He tells His followers NOT to be like the Pharisees when He tells us, “thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. (Matt 6:5, emphasis added).

The Pharisee in the parable radiated pride. He came and stood, probably as close to the Holy Place as possible, in order that others would notice him and be impressed by his presence and his prayer. He was there for the audience. His prayer was vocalized for the benefit of others - he wanted to share his perceived holiness with others that they might stand in awe of him. He wanted his listeners to have the goal of one day being able to pray like him!

Application: How do you approach God? You may not have an audience of others, but what attitude do you bring? Are you there to tell God some stuff and expect Him to answer because of who you think you are?

Contrast the pride of the Pharisee with the humility of the Publican. He was “standing far off” because he realized that he was unworthy in himself to draw close to God. Yes, we can approach the Throne of God in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16) BUT, it is only through the access of Jesus our High Priest. We come, but we understand that our avenue is based upon His righteousness, not ours.

You might be a Self-righteous Pharisee if you think you are better than others (Luke 18:11b)

Explanation: The Pharisee looked down on others, he was a spiritual elitist. In his pride he actually thanked God that he was better than the degenerates with whom he was forced to share air with. He especially looked down on the despised publican. The Pharisee (in his own mind) had no doubt that he was better than that type of human trash!

Illustrate: member at SPBC telling Buddy (a former alcoholic & bum) “we don’t want your kind in our church.” Surprisingly, Buddy, who was a new believer, never came back to Church!

Argument: All people are equal at the foot of the Cross. No one group of people (ethnicity, socio-economic,political persuasion, etc) is any better than another demographic (Galatians 3:28). The mentality of the Pharisee represents what Jesus taught when He declared, “They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick; I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Mark 2:17)

John MacArthur points out that this Pharisee did not ask God for anything. He says, “He seeks no mercy, no grace, no forgiveness, no sympathy for himself. He asks God for absolutely nothing, because he can think of nothing he needs.” (Parables: The Mysteries of God’s Kingdom revealed through the Stories Jesus told, John MacArthur, p. 108 - Kindle edition)

Application: If you aren’t drowning, why would you grab a life preserver? If you aren’t a sinner, why do you need a Savior? The first step in salvation takes place when a lost person is convicted by the Holy Spirit that he or she is a lost and undone.

When you share the Gospel, make sure you share the Full Gospel - Jesus told His listeners to repent and believe. Don’t leave out the part about lost people being under the wrath of God and in desperate need for a Savior.

You might be a Pharisee if you trust in your good deeds to merit your entry into Heaven (Luke 18:12)

Explanation: The Pharisee was bragging about his personal accomplishments in his prayer! He may have thought he was informing God, but he was definitely aware of informing his listeners as to what a swell guy he was! He wanted them to know how “super spiritual” he was. Not only did he practice fasting, he did it twice a week, not just once. He was meticulous in his tithes, probably down to the last grain of produce. (cf Matthew 23:23). Jesus condemned the Pharisees for their legalism in that passage, and He continues to condemn that same spirit today.

Example: Many people are convinced God grades on a curve. Most people recognize their imperfections, and most realize they have done some things that were wrong. They underestimate the vileness of sin when they compare themselves to others who are really wicked (the murderers, rapists, sexually immoral, etc - sounds similar to the Pharisee in v. 11b doesn’t it?)

Argument: Many actually think thaWt as long as the good outweighs the bad, they will be received into glory. The question is, “what is the standard for what is considered good? The standard is revealed in Scripture when Jesus said, “none is good, save one, that is, God” (Luke 18:19) see also Romans 3:10-18; Isaiah 64:6)

God doesn’t grade on a curve, He grades on the Cross

Application: Instead of the attitude of the Pharisee we must have the attitude of the publican and cry out to God for mercy (Luke 18:13). And this is the message we must share with our friends and co-workers who think they are “good people.”