Self-Focused: Puffed-Up

Luke 18:9–14

Most of us have just a little bit of this pharisee’s attitude – thanking God that we aren’t like the sinners around us. This might not be terrible if we’re truly being grateful that, for example, we have never been tempted to do drugs or stray from our marriage, but it is hard not to let pride slip into this attitude. And let’s be honest: what virtue is there in resisting something you are not even tempted to do? We can get a distorted vision of our own worthiness – worthiness built on our own works or innate natures – when we start to compare ourselves to those around us. 


Questions for further thought:
1. What virtue do you credit yourself with that you find lacking in those around you?

2. Have you ever felt superior because of your faithful actions in a way that devalues others?  


​Challenge: Assess your attitudes toward those that might be less naturally gifted in some ways and even those whose poor choices have put them in difficult straits.