What do you do that you’re proud of?
Are you a good cook? Great at making people feel seen? Awesome with a spreadsheet?
When we find success at the same skill multiple times, it’s easy and almost expected we develop a sense of pride in that task.
In Luke 18:9-14, we find Jesus telling a parable to “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else.”
The Pharisee in the parable proudly stood tall, overlooking the crowd. He focused on all he did and pronounced he was glad he was not like the “sinner.” His haughty eyes noticed what humans could see: the outside deeds. He justified himself through what he did.
When we have a gift where we find success, it’s easy to believe “we’ve got this.” But we must remember who gave us that gift: God.
Conversely, the “sinner” in this parable can’t even bring himself to come forward or look up toward heaven. His humbled stance matched his humble heart. He knew who he was inside: a man who needed God’s forgiveness and mercy. He didn’t need to look around to compare himself to others because he already knew in his own soul that he would never be able to justify himself to God. He understood all he could do was ask God for what he knew he didn’t deserve: to have mercy on him.
The world might think the man who regularly tithed, and regularly fasted was the more religious man. He practiced the acts of devotion.
But what did his words reveal? A heart haunted by comparison. Not an honest heart devoted to God.
The Pharisee didn’t know how far away he was from God.
The “sinner” could have been any of the ones the Pharisee named: the thief, the evildoer or the adulterer. The sinner had clearly sinned, just as we all have. But he had something the Pharisee didn’t: an honest and convicted heart with a desire to make things right.
He may not have practiced living the right way. But he was having the hard, truthful talk with God about where he’d been and where he wanted to go: right into the arms of the Father Himself.
And the sinner knew he had to confess his sins to be welcomed into those arms.
As Jesus explained in verse 14, the sinner was justified and welcomed into God’s arms, while the Pharisee was not.
The final verse should pierce our proud hearts: “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Are you joining me in conviction that pride can easily take root, and if we aren’t careful, can cast us far away from our Heavenly Father?
It’s easy to listen to the world and appreciate accolades cheering us on for a job well done. But there’s only one opinion that matters: God’s.
And we can never do anything that will earn us a place in heaven.
Because we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
Jesus wants to help us keep all this in perspective. Will you join me in a prayer for just that?
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for reminding me of Who I need to listen to: You. Thank You for reminding me Whose opinion matters: Yours. Please help me stay focused on You and You alone. Thank You for stepping into where I have failed, and justifying me through Jesus. Please help me keep a humble heart, a heart after You. In Jesus’ name, amen.