In this sermon Duke describes "self-righetousness" as confidence in self and criticism of everyone else, for example asking in one's heart "why can't everyone be more _______ like me?".  On the other hand, humility is having our confidence only in Jesus' righteousness and being aware of our need for God's mercy.  

 

1. In your own words, define “self-righteousness.” In what situations (or with what kind of people) does self-righteousness tend to flare up in your heart? 

2. How does the gospel give us the “humility” needed to overcome our self-righteousness? 

 

For the believer, humility is honesty about one's greatest flaws to a degree in which he is fearless about truly appearing less righteous than another. 

Criss Jami 

 

The human heart’s default mode is self-justification – a desire to put forth our own righteousness in order to maintain our standing before God and others. We are all self-righteous, and our self-justifying hearts go into attack mode every time we feel threatened, criticized, or condemned.

Trevin Wax 

 

Self-righteousness … is Gospel Enemy #1. 

Jerry Bridges 

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