In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus shared a parable directed at those who trust in themselves (Luke 18:9). While the tendency to trust in oneself was not exclusive to the Pharisees, they are the first group that comes to mind when we hear that Jesus was addressing those who relied on self. Why is that? Because they were infamous for doing so.

Luke 16:14-15 (ESV)
¹⁴ The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him.  ¹⁵ And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

To trust in ourselves, especially when it comes to the salvation of our souls, is a form of self-exaltation.  Yes, the Pharisees were guilty of such, but so are many others today, including some who are members of the Lord’s church.  One characteristic that usually goes along with thinking too highly of oneself is looking down on others.  The Pharisee in this parable was guilty of this.  

Luke 18:11 (ESV)
¹¹ The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

There is nothing wrong with being thankful that we are not living in sin.  I, too, am thankful that I am not an extortioner, unjust, or an adulterer, aren’t you?  The problem with this Pharisee was that he thought he was better than those around him.  He was not only thankful that he was not committing any obvious sins on an ongoing basis, but also that he was not like other men.

This is where he went wrong, and only his self-righteous attitude blinded him to it.  If he was different from others, including the tax collector he refers to, it was in that his sins were different, not because he was not a sinner.  We are all sinners (Romans 3:23).  The moment we forget this is the moment we start becoming pharisaical and will most likely treat others with contempt.  The word “contempt” means to despise or view with less esteem, which is the opposite of what the Bible teaches us to do.

Philippians 2:3 (KJV)
³ Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

This Pharisee certainly did not do this.  He was too busy being fixated on his own supposed good works.   What about us?

What a contrast we see with the tax collector.  He did not think too highly of himself, nor did he give any indication that he looked down on others.  Unlike the Pharisees, he was too consumed with his own sins to waste time tearing down others for theirs.

Luke 18:13 (ESV)
¹³ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!

This man was able to seek forgiveness because he was humble enough to see himself accurately.  He knew he was a sinner who needed mercy.  Do you remember the Pharisee seeking mercy?  No, because he was too arrogant to realize that he needed it.  The tax collector examined himself with the blinders off and was too ashamed to look toward heaven.  In the end, he was justified and not the Pharisee.

Which of these two men best represents you?  Your answer is critical.  Better to examine yourself now than to find out the answer on the day of judgment.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.