Word@Work Luke272 - Luke 18:11-12
Published: Mon, 01/17/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
SPIRITUAL BOASTING
Luke 18:11-12 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' (NIV)
Boasting is a very immature style of social interaction. At its root is the belief that if I tell everybody how good I am, they will believe it: and if I supply evidence of those parts of my life which are good, they will think that everything about me is of high value. If they think that, then they will give me approval and a place in their social group. Like the Pharisee in this parable, many think that they can convince God that He should give them a significant place in His kingdom; and that they are a much better candidate for heaven than people whose lives have failed publically.
Although he tried to impress God, the Pharisee gave away his true nature - full of arrogant pride - and his false belief that he was morally superior because he adhered to all the rules of his religion. However, he had forgotten what God said to Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:7, "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." By despising the spiritual competence of others, he was making a human judgement which would be proved false. God would bypass the smug religious expert, because his heart was not right. The Pharisee may have known the fine details of his religion but he neither knew himself or the nature of Almighty God. He was very religious: yes. But he had no place in God's kingdom ... not because of what he did but because his sinful heart was not honest with God, nor did he seek for mercy.
Pride and spiritual arrogance are a temptation which comes to religious people. Even followers of Jesus can be seduced by Satan into believing that church leaders, other church members and even God Himself will be impressed by all the things we do. But salvation through Christ does not work like that. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no-one can boast." So resist the temptation to think otherwise; and if spiritual boasting has become a habit be aware that it is offensive to God, and repent of it.
Prayer: Gracious and ever-wise God. Thank You that Jesus was so clear about the dangers of spiritual arrogance even though He knew that people would not like the message, and make it yet another reason to kill him. Please show me if this is a problem in my life. I do not want to displease You, so please show me what my heart is like so that I may make a realistic assessment of myself, embracing Your grace and mercy to sinners and humbling myself before You. Forgive me when I have boasted of my spiritual state or spiritual work; I now know that is wrong. Please help me to live with Your praise on my lips and Your grace satisfying me in every way. Please do this work of transformation in my life I pray, and help me to cooperate with You each day. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Subscribe | View Archive | Donate | W@W Facebook Group
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Boasting is a very immature style of social interaction. At its root is the belief that if I tell everybody how good I am, they will believe it: and if I supply evidence of those parts of my life which are good, they will think that everything about me is of high value. If they think that, then they will give me approval and a place in their social group. Like the Pharisee in this parable, many think that they can convince God that He should give them a significant place in His kingdom; and that they are a much better candidate for heaven than people whose lives have failed publically.
Although he tried to impress God, the Pharisee gave away his true nature - full of arrogant pride - and his false belief that he was morally superior because he adhered to all the rules of his religion. However, he had forgotten what God said to Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:7, "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." By despising the spiritual competence of others, he was making a human judgement which would be proved false. God would bypass the smug religious expert, because his heart was not right. The Pharisee may have known the fine details of his religion but he neither knew himself or the nature of Almighty God. He was very religious: yes. But he had no place in God's kingdom ... not because of what he did but because his sinful heart was not honest with God, nor did he seek for mercy.
Pride and spiritual arrogance are a temptation which comes to religious people. Even followers of Jesus can be seduced by Satan into believing that church leaders, other church members and even God Himself will be impressed by all the things we do. But salvation through Christ does not work like that. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no-one can boast." So resist the temptation to think otherwise; and if spiritual boasting has become a habit be aware that it is offensive to God, and repent of it.
Prayer: Gracious and ever-wise God. Thank You that Jesus was so clear about the dangers of spiritual arrogance even though He knew that people would not like the message, and make it yet another reason to kill him. Please show me if this is a problem in my life. I do not want to displease You, so please show me what my heart is like so that I may make a realistic assessment of myself, embracing Your grace and mercy to sinners and humbling myself before You. Forgive me when I have boasted of my spiritual state or spiritual work; I now know that is wrong. Please help me to live with Your praise on my lips and Your grace satisfying me in every way. Please do this work of transformation in my life I pray, and help me to cooperate with You each day. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Your next Word@Work will be sent on
W@WLuke272 | Word@Work © Dr Paul Adams 2011 | Provided by BeaconLight | Contact us at wordatwork@beaconlight.co.uk
Subscribe | View Archive | Donate | W@W Facebook Group