The Danger of Self-Righteousness: Washed or Justifying Our Filth?
“There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.” – Proverbs 30:12 (KJV)
Introduction:
Self-righteousness is one of the most dangerous spiritual deceptions. It blinds a person into thinking they are clean while still living in rebellion against God. Many claim to be righteous in their own eyes, yet they have not been washed from their sins. This teaching explores the trap of self-justification. It also discusses the consequences of spiritual blindness. There is an urgent need for true cleansing through repentance in Christ.
1. The Trap of Self-Justification
One of the greatest dangers of sin is its ability to deceive us. It makes us believe we are still in good standing with God. This happens even when we are openly disobedient.
Romans 1:21-22 (KJV) warns:
“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.”
A person trapped in self-justification believes their actions are excusable or even righteous. They manipulate truth to fit their lifestyle instead of submitting to the truth of God’s Word.
Personal Testimony:
I remember when I was fully engulfed in adultery, yet I told myself it was not wrong. I twisted the Scriptures to justify myself. I was sleeping with a married woman. I convinced myself that since we were one in flesh, she was now my wife. I ignored the fact that she still belonged to another man.
Despite my sin, I continued taking communion, singing in the choir, and attending church. Outwardly, I seemed fine, but inwardly, I was convicted by the Holy Ghost.
- When I lay in bed at night, I would hear the Lord speak:
“You are doing evil.”
“This is against Me.”
“Your sins are being counted against you.”
Yet, instead of repenting, I clung to self-justification. I chose to be “pure in my own eyes” rather than truly washed before God.
2. The Consequence of Ignoring Conviction
The longer we ignore God’s conviction, the more we harden our hearts. When people continually justify sin, God eventually gives them over to their desires—which leads to destruction.
Romans 1:24, 28 (KJV) warns:
“Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves… And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.”
A reprobate mind is one that no longer responds to conviction. It is a dangerous place where a person no longer feels guilt for sin and fully believes their own deception.
A Personal Warning:
Looking back, I realize how close I was to becoming reprobate—completely given over to my sin. The Holy Ghost was tugging at my heart. I resisted. I tried to hold onto my sin and my faith at the same time. But God does not work that way. You cannot serve sin and serve God. Eventually, one will consume the other.
Matthew 23:27 (KJV) warns:
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.”
A person who appears holy on the outside but is filled with hidden sin is living in hypocrisy.
3. The Only Solution: True Cleansing Through Repentance
No amount of good works, self-righteousness, or church activity can cleanse a person from sin. Only true repentance and the blood of Jesus can wash away filthiness.
1 John 1:8-9 (KJV) gives the solution:
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Isaiah 5:20 (KJV) warns against the world’s deception:
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
The world will redefine sin to make it seem acceptable, but God’s Word never changes. If God calls something sin, it remains sin, no matter how we justify it.
4. Application: Examining Our Own Hearts
To avoid the trap of self-righteousness, we must consistently examine our hearts before God:
✅ Ask yourself: Am I justifying sin in my life?
✅ Seek God’s conviction: Is the Holy Ghost tugging at me in areas I have ignored?
✅ Repent quickly: The longer sin lingers, the harder it is to turn away.
✅ Pursue true righteousness: Not self-made righteousness, but righteousness through Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 3:7 (KJV) reminds us:
“Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.”
Final Prayer:
Lord, cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Remove every trace of self-justification from my heart. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10). Let me not be wise in my own eyes, but humble before You. Open my eyes to any hidden sin and give me the strength to repent. Let everything I do bring You glory and not be counted as foolishness before You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Final Thought:
Many will justify their filthiness instead of being truly washed by God. The question is—are you pure in your own eyes, or are you cleansed by the blood of Jesus?
Which will you choose?
Joseph Mekael Page 
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