The Blindness of Self-Righteousness
Self-righteousness can lead to a blindness to one's own sin and a lack of concern for spiritual growth, ultimately resulting in a rejection of God's conviction.
A.W. Tozer addresses the peril of self-righteousness, emphasizing that individuals who fail to recognize their spiritual shortcomings may not be truly converted. He warns that some may be blinded by their own self-righteousness, making them impervious to the Holy Spirit's conviction, much like the Pharisees who rejected Christ. Tozer contrasts this with those who, aware of their sins, humbly seek Jesus for redemption. He urges listeners to reflect on their spiritual state and the danger of complacency in their faith. Ultimately, he calls for a genuine acknowledgment of one's need for God's grace.
Text
. . If we compare what we ought to be and could be with what we are, and we don't see that we are in a rut and we are not concerned, then one of three things may be wrong. First, we may not be converted at all. . . . Second, people may not be concerned about the rut because of sin they have committed. . . . Third, some people are so self-righteous that they are impervious to any work of the Holy Spirit. They cannot be cured of their blindness because they think they see. The Pharisees never got under conviction. They crucified Christ, they hated the Son of God, but they never got under conviction.
They had ordered their religious life so as to be impervious to the arrows of the Holy Spirit.
The adulterous woman could fall at the feet of Jesus, the tax collector who knew he had been crooked could run to the feet of Jesus to ask for help, and the poor came from everywhere to say, "What must I do?" They could come, but the Pharisees never did. They never got under conviction, and in hell I suppose they are still fighting and saying they are right. If people judge what they could be and ought to be with what they are and can still go home and have a good night's rest, shrugging it off, perhaps they have never been converted. Maybe they have sinned against light until they are temporarily under a terrible cloud of God's judgment.
Or maybe they are so self-righteous that they cannot get under conviction.
Sermon Outline
- The Blindness of Self-Righteousness
- Not being converted
- Sinful behavior
- Self-righteousness
- Impervious to the Holy Spirit
- The Pharisees as an example
Key Quotes
“They had ordered their religious life so as to be impervious to the arrows of the Holy Spirit.” — A.W. Tozer
“They never got under conviction, and in hell I suppose they are still fighting and saying they are right.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Recognize the dangers of self-righteousness and its potential to lead to a lack of concern for spiritual growth.
- Be open to the Holy Spirit's conviction and willing to acknowledge and repent of sin.
- Avoid ordering one's religious life in a way that makes it impervious to God's conviction.