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Self Righteousness

/self-RY-chus-nes/

Summary

Confidence in one's own virtue and goodness rather than in God's grace—a spiritual blindness that prevents true repentance.

☩The Problem Defined

Moses warned Israel not to think God drove out nations 'for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart.' Job's friends accused him of self-righteousness, and Elihu rebuked him: 'Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God's?' Self-righteousness blinds people to their need for grace.

Key verses:Deuteronomy 9:4-6Job 6:13Job 11:4-6Job 12:2Job 32:1-2Job 33:8-9Job 35:2, 7-8

☩Old Testament Warnings

'The way of a fool is right in his own eyes' while 'there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.' 'Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.' 'Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness.'

Key verses:Proverbs 12:15Proverbs 14:12Proverbs 16:2Proverbs 20:6Proverbs 21:2Proverbs 25:14Proverbs 30:12

☩Jesus' Teaching

Jesus spoke the parable of the Pharisee and publican 'unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others.' He condemned the Pharisees who 'justify yourselves before men' while God knows their hearts. The elder brother's self-righteous anger at the prodigal's welcome reveals this deadly attitude.

Key verses:Luke 18:9-14Luke 16:15Luke 15:25-30Matthew 23:27-28

Related Verses69 mentions

Job· 15 verses

6:1311:412:213:313:13

Proverbs· 9 verses

16:220:621:225:1425:27

Jeremiah· 8 verses

2:222:342:357:48:8

Luke· 6 verses

7:3615:215:2516:1416:15

See Also

Hypocrisy
Hypocrisy
Self Exaltation
Self Exaltation

References

  1. 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Self-Righteousness," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  2. 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Self-Righteousness," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  3. 3.John McClintock and James Strong, "Self-Righteousness," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  4. 4.John McClintock and James Strong, "Self-Righteousness," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  5. 5.John McClintock and James Strong, "Self-Righteousness," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  6. 6.John McClintock and James Strong, "Self-Righteousness," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  7. 7.John McClintock and James Strong, "Self-Righteousness," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).