You justify yourselves

“And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” - Luke 16v14-15

Self-justification is a common problem. Way back in the 70s we heard about “I’m Okay, You’re Okay,” and topics like that. It even goes back further than that – when Adam was confronted with his sin he blamed Eve and when Eve was confronted she blamed Adam. “I really can’t be that bad,” seems to be the attitude, “I am really okay.”

The Pharisees carried on that tradition. The loved their money and they justified themselves. The problem was that they could do all the self-justifying they wanted, but God knew the reality of their hearts. It really is a matter of the heart.

Now, it is easy enough for us to talk about Adam and Eve or the Pharisees, but what about us? Can’t we be just as bad? Who do we blame for our sin? Are we willing to admit that we really are that bad, or do we want to try and pass the blame off onto someone else? We had better remember, no matter what we try to tell ourselves and everyone else – God knows our hearts.