He also spoke this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others. “Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector.” Luke 18:9-10 WEB

Those who think of themselves as better than others suffer from a distorted sense of self worth. Convinced of their own righteousness, an inflated sense of self importance causes certain people to despise others as fatally flawed without realizing their own hypocrisy. And so, to illustrate the importance of genuine self awareness and humility to the self righteous among his listeners, Jesus taught the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector.

Briefly, the self satisfied Pharisee praised himself. He thanked God that he was not like other sinners and bragged to the Father about his fasting and tithing. On the other hand, the tax collector humbled himself. He pleaded for God’s mercy as he acknowledged his  sins. Of the tax collector Jesus says in Luke 18:14, “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted. WEB”

Whitewashed Tombs

There is a danger inherent in the thinking of those convinced of their own righteousness. When we consider ourselves righteous, we cover our sins with the lie of our own goodness rather than humbly accepting the grace of God. For this reason, Jesus said to the self righteous of his day in Matthew 23:27-28, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men’s bones and of all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. WEB”  

If We Confess Our Sins

The apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God. WEB” Also, we read in Isaiah 64:6, “For we have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteousness is like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. WEB” Anyone convinced of their own righteousness fools themselves. In selfish pride, the self righteous miss each opportunity to establish a genuine relationship with God. 

In order to find forgiveness with God, we must confess our sins. As we read in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. WEB” For those convinced of their own righteousness, there is no conviction or admission of sin. Therefore, there is no repentance and consequently no forgiveness.

Yesterday’s Devotional: His Disciples