The Dangers of Being Self-Righteous

Dangers of self-righteousness and not godly righteousness in life

Danwil Reyes
4 min readJan 23, 2024
Photo by Afif Ramdhasuma on Unsplash

Welcome to my humble blog, friends. Today, I’ll share with you the dangers of being self-righteous. I will explore the depths of ancient wisdom found within the pages of the Holy Bible.

Yes, I’ll be delving into the book of Proverbs, specifically Proverbs 14:12. So grab your favorite beverage, sit back, and let’s dive right in!

The Bible verse above that I’m sharing with you from Proverbs reads, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end, it leads to death.” Quite a profound statement, don’t you think?

What is the correct interpretation of this Bible verse?

Well, this biblical verse speaks to the dangers of self-righteousness. It warns us that even if something seems right from our perspective, it can actually lead to disastrous consequences in the long run if what we believe to be correct or true is not actually the truth or fact that the Bible supports.

What’s an example of this?

Well, consider a person who is convinced that their way of life or belief (although they’re not biblically supported) is the only correct path. They become rigid, judgmental, and intolerant of others who don’t share their views. They may feel justified in their actions, thinking they are upholding what they perceive as “the truth.” However, this self-righteousness blinds them to their own flaws and hinders their ability to connect with real truth.

So, it’s like a false sense of righteousness that ultimately leads to destruction!

Yes, self-righteousness often isolates individuals, making them unable to be open to truth or reality based on biblical principles or perspectives. It also prevents self-reflection and growth, as they are falsely convinced in their minds and by other people’s deceitful thoughts that they have already achieved perfection. The consequences can include damaged relationships, missed opportunities, and even moral decay. This is a dangerous trap that anyone could fall into.

Photo by Obie Fernandez on Unsplash

Are there any teachings in the Bible to guide us away from being self-righteous?

Absolutely! Numerous passages in the Bible emphasize humility, compassion, and the importance of treating others with kindness and respect. We can read one great example of this in the book of Matthew. In Matthew 7:3, “Jesus” (Yahshua) himself advises, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” This encourages self-reflection and acknowledges that we all have areas for growth, preventing us from falling into the self-righteousness trap. This is a powerful reminder for all of us to emulate and not forget that’s spoken directly by the Savior of humanity himself!

So, how can we avoid this dangerous path ourselves?

The first step is to cultivate humility. Recognizing that we’re not infallible and that we can learn from others is vital. We should also be open to Bible-based opinions and perspectives, seeking understanding and common ground rather than division.

And to my readers and friends, do not forget that self-righteousness can lead us down a destructive path, blinding us to our own shortcomings and limiting our connection with real biblical truths. Let’s strive to embrace humility and understanding as we navigate our own journey through life.

Before I end this blog post, I’d like you to always remember this: “There is only one Master (Yahshua), one faith, one baptism, one El and Father of all (Yahweh), who is above all, through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:5–6). This means there’s only one “God” (Elohim), there’s only one true faith, and there’s only one correct baptism that the holy Scripture mentioned and approved. Yes, there’s not many “Gods”, there’s not many faiths, and there’s not many baptisms, according to the Bible! Now, think about these things.

Photo by Afif Ramdhasuma on Unsplash

Well, that’s all I have for you today. Thank you for stopping by and perusing the insights on this profound Bible verse from Proverbs about the dangers of being self-righteous.

Join me again next time for another wisdom-filled blog post. Until then, stay curious and open to the timeless and infallible teachings of the Bible.

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Danwil Reyes
Danwil Reyes

Written by Danwil Reyes

Silver and gold have I none, but I'll give you what I have: the power of true love and real truth from things above! May you have heavenly peace and blessings.

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