A self-portrait this might as well
be, because I relate intimately with what I say here. But it’s not just about
me.
In today’s world, there is far too
much Pharisaic self-righteousness and posturing going on in plain view.
Especially by ‘God’s
strong/powerful/anointed/anything-else-pumped-up-full-of-pride-you-want-to-add
leader’. Such a leader, though they may not see it, is becoming a dinosaur.
The Pharisee is self-righteous,
claiming their truth is God’s truth, claiming their right to say it as it is, collateral damage be what it
may, which is code for, “I’ve got every right
to communicate what comes to my mind.”
They will not be dissuaded. And anyone who’s had a modicum of success in their
chosen field, and has remained successful for quite a time, is most susceptible
to this gravest of flaws of self-deception.
You cannot rest on your past
achievements in the postmodern world. Society will rip everything you ever had
right out of your grasp the moment you’re seriously exposed.
Is this hard to hear or detestable
to read? Possibly. Better this than the pit of fiery hell. Better look at something
heinous as a possibility than look the other way and potentially miss some maleficence
present.
Don’t worry. I’m there. I know it eventually
when I travel down that lane. As I share my thoughts with my wife, about externals
that rile me, whether there is a hint of right-thinking in it or not, it all
comes out wrong. I am right in my own mind, yet unequivocally dangerous if
unchecked. My wife adds no attention to it, and God speaks through a deafening
silence: “Stop it, already… it’s not the issue anymore, it’s your attitude… I’ve
got the issue, trust me to deal with it, but drop the attitude.” Everyone
around us can stink the attitude but ourselves.
Why are we resting in our
performance, what we’ve achieved, the books we’ve read or authored, the people
we know or please, the possessions we control? These are all taken away in a
flash. All they are is cheap jewellery, and none of it can be taken with us.
Here is the paradoxical dilemma: awareness of self-righteousness offers
the opportunity of confession and repentance — the way of light and of life,
through the purging of pride and conquest for the receipt of humility and wisdom.
Whenever we’re unaware, or choose to remain unaware, our lack of insight will drive us down a path toward destruction of
others and of ourselves.
Hear that? Self-righteousness is a
road to ruin for others and ourselves. Nobody wins. Abuse occurs. And, possibly
worst of all, dozens or droves are deceived into the bargain, as blind guide
leads the blind into the path of self-righteousness that forges a calamitous
path of destruction for all, without anyone ever knowing it.
See this acronym of T.R.U.S.T. to
contemplate:
Totally
Rely
Upon
Sovereign
Truth
Trust is a matter of a total
reliance on that which is always sovereignly true.
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