self-righteousness

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Are we really “Pharisees”?

We here at DefCon (as well as our brothers and sisters at other sites, such as Ken Silva and Ingrid Schlueter) use the written Word of God as the rule and basis for everything we believe about God and how one is to worship Him. For that, we are constantly accused of being “Pharisees” by those who would lead the Body of Christ away from the clear teachings of Scripture, and into areas which are questionable (at best) and/or heretical (at worst).

Well, here’s my question–what exactly does it mean to be a “Pharisee”? Are we justly accused as Pharisees by the Seeker-Driven™/Purpose-Driven™, “Let’s all just get along in unity” church-goer who does not dare speak for fear that it may offend someone? Or is there a more accurate description of a Pharisee? Let us examine the issue.

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Objection #1:
The Pharisees were outraged at being called sinners.

Evidence:
Luke 18:9-12—Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 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. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'”

Implication:
If you deny that you are a sinner, and you think that your “good works” are enough to make you righteous in God’s eyes–YOU ARE A PHARISEE!

Romans 5:12—Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.

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Scam Into Blessing – Part 12

Pastor Togba spoke up and said, “Door is locked, come back tomorrow!”

But the voice grew more persistent, “I need to talk to the missionary right NOW! Send him out to speak with me!”

Pastor Togba responded, “Who it is at the door?”

The voice responded instantly with, “It is Paul Zawolo, and want to speak with the Missionary Pastor from England! He knows me. We spoke yesterday at the Pastors’ meeting.”

Not being put off his mission to speak with me, I agreed to go out and speak with him despite the recommendation of Pastor Togba and Dr. Trexler that I wait til the morning. Standing up from the table, I turned the outside light on. I knew it would not make a great deal of difference considering it was a yellow bulb and secondly because the house lights were running off of generator power.

Continue reading →

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Quotes (419)

John MacArthurSelf-righteousness is the big lie of Satan. The truth is you are saved by Christ; the lie is you are saved by anything other than Christ. That lie can come in all kinds of packages: You can be saved by following these rules, doing these routines, belonging to this or that system, being good enough to outweigh your shortcomings…there’s a myriad of possible systems to counter the one truth, and they are all part of Satan’s big lie. If Satan can get somebody into a system that says they are righteous, it’s very hard to extract them from it. One reason is that self- righteousness is very proud. I am reminded of what Job said to those who judged him: “No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you” (12:2). Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes….” Luke 16:15 says, “…that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” When men believe Satan’s lie and develop a system that is highly esteemed in their eyes, it is an abomination to God. Salvation can never be earned by good works and keeping religious rituals.

– John MacArthur