Self-righteousness, otherwise known as the “me monster”: the
feeling that one is good enough, better than most, and has earned the position
to speak into the lives of others from this position. Simply put, it is wrong, and to
be absolutely honest, it is a place I like to go to. As a pastor, I want to live
beyond reproach and hold myself to the highest of moral, ethical, and biblical
standards. Unfortunately, this can all too often be used to elevate myself over
others. I guess recognizing it truly is the only way I can keep myself from
doing it all the time.
Do you know what I am talking about? Have you ever looked at
someone else’s problems like you needed to speak into them – or worse, to speak
to others about them? Jesus knew we would struggle with this, and had something
to say about it:
Matthew
7:3-5 (ESV)
“Why
do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log
that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to
your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in
your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log
out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of
your brother’s eye.”
Jesus is simply saying that before you try to “see” others
faults, make sure you have examined your own first. This is a tough but true
statement. Why do we seem to find it so much easier to focus on the problems of others over
our own? Well for me, it simply makes me feel better. Staying with the honesty theme, it makes my own personal problems seem not so bad, and if I take it a
step further I can actually blame my problems on the other person! How awesome
is that! Or is it?
Anyone else find that they do this too? I can only speak for
me, but when I find myself doing this I only feel better for a while, and then
I find myself on the island of angry, getting mad at everyone for anything and
everything. It is not a good place, but I have the tendency to go there. But I
am happy to say that I no longer stay there for extended periods of time…
The only thing that gets me off this island and reverses the
Me Monster in me is learning. Learning where I am and who I am, compared to the
One I claim to follow. As a follower of Christ, this humbly requires that I
acknowledge Him and His position in my life, no more, but no less.
Paul said this best in his letter to the church in Corinth:
“And
I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony
of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you
except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”
1 Corinthians 2:1-2 (ESV)
So for me, when I find the "me monster" rearing its ugly head,
I return my focus to the One who gave me sight and life, and remember who He is
and what He has already done. This focuses my attention on how much I love Him,
and then it frees me up to live out His plan for my life to love others as He
would have – and once again: no more, but also no less.
In His grip,
Pastor Pat
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