Topic is from book of Luke 18:9-14.

In today’s culture, comparison has become second nature. We measure ourselves against others; what they wear, how they live, what they earn, how they look. Friendships are often formed not on love or truth, but on mutual scrutiny. We mold our lives to maintain an image, hoping to appear righteous, successful, or admirable. But beneath the surface, these things fall short of true goodness.

The Trap of Self-Righteousness
Self-righteousness often disguises itself as virtue. It sounds like, “Thank you, Lord, that I’m not like him.” It’s like hidden pride that creeps in when we define our worth by the flaws of others. We become blind to the good in people, reluctant to celebrate their joy or success. When someone’s life shines with grace or growth, we feel threatened. Instead of changing, we envy. Instead of learning, we scheme.
We may even gather others into our bitterness, masking our own imperfections by criticizing those who reflect what we lack. This is the illusion of self-righteousness, a false sense of moral superiority that distances us from the heart of God. It’s the very attitude Jesus exposed in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector.

The Pharisee’s Disguise
The Pharisee in the story wasn’t doing anything obviously wrong. He fasted, tithed, and prayed. But his heart was far from repentance. He stood in the temple, not to seek God, but to showcase himself. His righteousness was a performance, a disguise that veiled his need for grace. This is the danger: when we normalize self-righteousness, we lose sight of our need for transformation. We forget that goodness isn’t about looking holy,     it’s about being humble.

Doing Good Isn’t the Problem
Let’s be clear: there’s nothing wrong with doing good. 
– Fasting 
– Tithing 
– Attending church 
– Working hard
– Being in the ministry
– Being nice to everyone
– And living a good life
These are beautiful disciplines. But they are not the measure of our righteousness. They are the fruit, not the root, of a heart aligned with God.

Jesus point something deeper
Jesus invites us to a deeper righteousness; one that begins with repentance. The tax collector, despised by society, stood at a distance and cried out, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” He didn’t pretend. He didn’t compare. He simply came as he was.

That’s the heart God honors: 
– A heart willing to change 
– A heart that forgives because it knows how much it’s been forgiven 
– A heart that seeks God’s will, not human approval 

This kind of humility builds real community. It fosters compassion, not competition. It creates friendships rooted in love, not image.

Righteousness Rooted in Grace
True righteousness begins with Jesus. It is not earned, it is received. It flows from His forgiveness and is expressed through our love for others. In the parable, it was the tax collector, not the Pharisee, who went home justified.
He was free. 
Free from the burden of pretending. 
Free from the need to compare. 
Free to live in joy, surrounded by real friends, anchored in grace.

Living the Way of Christ
This is the life Jesus modeled: 
– Humility 
– Love 
– Forgiving 
He showed us that truth and humility are the foundation of meaningful relationships. That helping is better than blaming. That love is stronger than judgment.
As Christians, we are called to live this way, not because it’s easy, but because it’s right. Not by our strength, but through His Spirit. Not for appearances, but for the glory of God.
Between illusion of self-righteousness and the grace of God toward us. In Christ, we are not defined by how we compare to others, we are defined by how deeply we are loved.

Watch also “True Goodness is God” for more of this topic.