Manifestations of Self-Righteousness:

Self-righteousness often aligns with spiritual pride and arrogance. It expresses itself in attitudes such as believing that pursuing spiritual practices is more important than loving others.

Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. (Romans 2:17-20)

1. In this passage, the Jews were confident in being God’s chosen people, knowing the law and strictly adhering to it, while also believing they understood God’s will and could discern right from wrong.
2. They assumed they possessed the only true truth, saw themselves as superior, and considered themselves above the Gentiles—despising association with them.
3. Though they had knowledge, they failed to live out the requirements of the law. With a worldly sense of superiority, they judged others and looked down on them.
4. They became proud and complacent, thinking that possessing the truth of Christ, along with the status and gifts of being God’s children, was enough.
5. In other words, their words and actions were inconsistent—they spoke in a lofty and righteous manner, but behaved differently, showing complete hypocrisy.
6. They knew the truth only intellectually, appearing spiritual on the outside, but in secret their behavior was unworthy, unable to live out the truth they claimed to know.
7. While well-versed in the law, they criticized others and yet knew how to justify their own actions.

You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal?  You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written. (Romans 2:21-24)

Reason of self-righteousness:

Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. (Luke 18:6)

I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8)

Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: (Luke 18:9)

Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. (Luke 18:10)

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. (Luke 18:11)

I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess. (Luke 18:12)

And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner! (Luke 18:13)

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)

Exhortation:
These verses deliver a stern rebuke to those who are self-righteous. It is always easier to correct others than to discipline ourselves, and much easier to speak the right principles than to live them out. Do we also often expect others to do things we ourselves are unwilling or struggling to do? Let us strive to align our words with our actions. Do not impose on others what you would not want for yourself. Let us not become spiritual hypocrites. If we claim to belong to God, then we must live according to His will. If we do not obey God, we dishonor His name, and others may blaspheme God because of us. When others observe our lives, can they see the image of Christ in us?

Source: Pastoral Ministry Department of End-Time Ministry (Please notify us promptly if any copyright infringement is involved.)