Bible Questions Answered:
“...I've seen some of those holier
than thous and I don't want any part of it...”
Kelly/ Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.
Bible Answer:
Bible Text:
Ecclesiastes 7:15-18 KJV
15 All things
have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that
perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that
prolongeth his life in his wickedness.
16 Be not
righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why
shouldest thou destroy thyself ?
17 Be not over
much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before
thy time?
18 It is good
that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw
not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
The
Preacher (King Solomon), seems to be saying, (Be not
righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise:) don't
be overly righteous.
At first glance, it would seem as though Solomon is against going
over board in any spiritual direction, and that middle ground living
is what is called for.
Actually Solomon had seen some holier than thou's in his time, and he
was speaking of “Self-Righteousness.” People who
are holy in their own eyes.
Proverbs 12:15 KJV (Solomon)
The way of a
fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto
counsel is wise.
Proverbs 20:6 KJV (Solomon)
Most men will
proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who
can find?
Proverbs 30:12 KJV (Solomon)
There is a
generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not
washed from their filthiness.
Well, if Solomon was talking about the dangers of
self-righteousness, what did he think about serving God, with all
ones heart?
Proverbs 2:1-9
KJV (Solomon)
1 My son, if
thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
2 So that thou
incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to
understanding;
3 Yea, if thou
criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4 If thou
seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
5 Then shalt
thou understand the fear of The Lord, and find the knowledge
of God.
6 For The
Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and
understanding.
7 He layeth
up sound wisdom for the righteous: He is a Buckler (Shield) to
them that walk uprightly.
8 He keepeth
the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of His saints.
9 Then shalt
thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every
good path.
Proverbs 3:5-10
KJV (Solomon)
5 Trust in
The Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding.
6 In all thy
ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise
in thine own eyes: fear The Lord, and depart from evil.
8 It shall be
health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
9 Honor The
Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine
increase:
10 So shall thy
barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new
wine.
Proverbs 30:5
KJV (Solomon)
Every Word
of God is pure: He is a Shield unto them that put their trust in
Him.
Ecclesiastes
2:26 KJV (Solomon)
For God giveth
to a man that is good in His sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy..."
Ecclesiastes
7:18 KJV (Solomon)
It is good that
thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not
thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
Ecclesiastes 8:12 KJV (Solomon)
Though a sinner
do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I
know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before
Him:
Ecclesiastes
12:13,14 KJV (Solomon)
13 Let us hear
the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His
commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God
shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing,
whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Self-Righteousness, is sin, living obediently to The Lord, gives
life, and honors God.
Jeremiah 2:35
KJV
And yet you
say,‘I have done nothing wrong. Surely God isn’t angry with me!’
But now I will punish you severely because you claim you have not
sinned.
II Corinthians 10:12 NLT (Apostle Paul)
Oh, don’t
worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other
men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing
themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of
measurement. How ignorant!
Leviticus 20:7
KJV
Sanctify
yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am The Lord your
God.
Matthew 7:21 KJV
Not every one
that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of
heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in
heaven.
I Peter 1:15,16
KJV
15 But as He
which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of
conversation;
16 Because it
is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
