What Jesus Did! 'Religious Arrogance Is Sinful' — Luke 18:9

Saturday, October 21, 2023

Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: ...
— Luke 18:9 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus' most scathing rebukes were reserved for those who were outwardly very religious but who were arrogant and self-righteous and felt superior to everyone else. Once again, Jesus illustrated his point with a story (in the following verses) not only so his disciples would know the truth of his message but also so they could visualize what this religious arrogance looks like and could remember to avoid it in their own lives. Before we examine this story of Jesus, we should look at ourselves and ask, "What is the basis of our confidence?" Is it in comparing ourselves to others? Is it in our own works of righteousness? Or is it in God's grace and mercy as shown us in Jesus?

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you for saving me, a sinner, who cannot live up to your standards of character, righteousness, and holiness. Thank you for making a way for your grace to reach me and bring me into your family as your child. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

3 Related Resources by Heartlight

Two Men, Vast Differences
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: "Two men went to the Temple to..."
Getting Close to God
Article by Bill Denton
Are you righteous enough to get close to God? Bill Denton reminds us that the Pharisees' problem wasn't their love for Scripture, but their willingness to condemn others and justify themselves.
Questions Out of Focus
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Believer, Have you noticed how people sometimes ask the wrong questions? Those questions reveal their assumptions about reality and their place...."

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 18:9 NLT — Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: ...

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, October 21, 2023

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Tender Emotions, Like Jesus' (Acts 20:36-38)
"When [Paul] had finished speaking [with the Ephesian elders], he knelt and prayed with them. They all cried as they embraced and kissed him good-bye...."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Revelation 22:14
"Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Psalms 66:2
"It is not left to our own option whether we shall praise God or not. Praise is God's most righteous due, and every Christian, as the recipient of his...."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'I Come to You, God' (He. 12:22-29)
"Dear Father, I come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, to the city of the living God. I join with the thousands upon thousands of angels in..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!