Category Archives: Self-righteousness

Bible, Disobedience, Obedience, Righteousness, Scripture, Self-righteousness, Sin, Unrighteousness

DISOBEDIENCE VS OBEDIENCE

ROMANS 5:19

“For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.”

I think I was a pretty obedient child until… In my preteen and teenage years, I became pretty disobedient. I don’t need to elaborate on my disobedience. You can probably figure it out. I was a teen in the 70’s when things were getting pretty crazy on the drug scene. I knew the right thing to do. I just chose not to do it. I wanted to do what I wanted to do and didn’t think too much about the consequences. That’s just plain sin. Thankfully, all that is under the blood.

In today’s verse Paul uses two different Greek words to describe disobedience and obedience. They are both built on the same Greek word akoúō but have different prefixes which drastically changes their meanings. Let’s take a look at these two words and as we do, think how you are responding to what you have heard the Master say.

APPLICATION

The first word used by Paul is parakoḗ. It is “(from pará, ‘contrary by close comparison’ and akoúō, ‘hear’) – properly, contrary-hearing, i.e. disobedience which springs from a negative (opposing) attitude, i.e. the refusal to listen properly.” (HELPS Word-studies) This word has the idea of just plain refusing to listen and refusing to comply. This implies a bad attitude that does not want to obey.

It’s only found two other times in the New Testament. In Hebrews 2:2 we read, “For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every violation and act of disobedience received a just punishment,…” Then over in 2 Corinthians 10:6 it is used when it says, “and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.”

Then we come to the word Paul uses for obedience. It is hypakoḗ “(from hypó, ‘beneath’ and akoúō, ‘to hear’) i.e. obedience – literally, ‘submission to what is heard’, i.e. obedience as the response to someone speaking. This refers both to an earthly voice and the Lord’s voice.” (HELPS Word-studies) It is used 15 times in the New Testament (7 in Romans) 1 Pet 1:2 uses this word. “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.”

Isn’t that the bottom line – obedience to Christ? Nothing else really matters. We can obey others but not be obedient to Christ. It’s been said you will serve a master in one way or the other. Do you choose to obey your own master or The Master? One brings death and the other brings righteousness (Romans 6:16). Choose wisely.

O Lord, I want to obey You and none other.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Alone, Bible, Righteousness, Scripture, Self-righteousness, Vanity

IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT YOU

ROMANS 4:23

“Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him,”

In 1972 Carly Simon released a song entitled “You’re So Vain.” You may have heard it. The chorus says, “You’re so vain; You probably think this song is about you. You’re so vain (you’re so vain). I bet you think this song is about you, don’t you, don’t you?” Vanity is thinking the world revolves around you and that all that happens good in your life is because you deserve it.

Abraham was not vain. He knew the righteousness which was bestowed on him by the Lord was not because of anything he had done or could do. And he knew that God’s promises were not for him alone. They would be passed down to future generations through his son. We will see in tomorrow’s verse the second part of this thought. But just looking at today’s verse, I want you to see that it is not all about you.

APPLICATION

We were saved for a purpose. Our salvation comes with instructions – go share this with someone. Pass it on. Lead someone else to a saving knowledge of Jesus. Take the “Roman Road” and walk with someone to understand those verses and give their life to Christ. Your salvation is not all about you. God has saved you and enlisted you in His army. Stand and fight!

In the July 2025 assassination attempt on President Donald Trump’s life, after he stood up with a bloodied ear, he was surrounded by Secret Service agents. But through the mass of bodies, he shoved up his fist and shouted, “Fight, fight, fight!” He wasn’t giving up because he knew the election wasn’t just about him. Now, I’m not trying to be political here. I’m just giving an example. Things that happen in our lives are not just about us. We can affect hundreds of people by our reaction to events, including our own salvation.

What kind of effect are you having on others? Maybe you’re one of those who think it’s all about you. I have known a few narcissists in my life, none of which were very pleasant to be around. Take an inventory of all that God has done for you. Then find a way to share that with others. Most importantly, find a way to share your faith with someone this week one-on-one. Be honest and share your struggles. But don’t leave out the best part – He is always there.

Lord God, I know it is not about me. You came to give Your life for others, and I should lay down my life for them as well.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Boasting, Pride, Scripture, Self-righteousness, Sin

SOMETHING TO BOAST ABOUT

ROMANS 4:2

“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God.”

I’m guilty as charged. I am a huge boaster – about my grandchildren. I have five with one more on the way. I am a proud Poppy and Papa. Our youngest is fifteen months old and is quite a little rounder. But boy is he affectionate. He loves to hug and snuggle. I am proud of each and every one of them whether I get to see them regularly or not.

Paul wasn’t talking about Abraham’s grandkids though. Paul is saying if anything Abraham did justified him, he would have the right to brag on himself. The phrase “something to boast about” is actually one Greek word, kauchéma. I love how the HELPS Word studies defines this word. “boasting, focusing on the results of exulting/boasting (note the –ma suffix). This boasting (exulting) is always positive when it is in the Lord, and always negative when based on self.” Pretty good, huh?

APPLICATION

While Romans 4:2 is the first time kauchéma is used in the New Testament, it is used 10 other times. 1 Corinthians 5:6 shows Paul calling out a church for their boasting. “Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough?”  This church was actually boasting about their tolerance of a man in the church who was sleeping with his father’s wife (I assume a stepmom or a wife other than his mother). Unfortunately, today we see churches doing similar things and bragging about it.

Probably my favorite use of this word is the final one in the New Testament found in Hebrews 3:6. “but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the boast of our hope.” Christ is the boast of our hope. In Him and Him only can we boast freely and loudly. God wants to hear our boasting about His Son. In fact, it thrills the Father to hear His Son’s name praised and lifted up.

Who or what are you boasting about? Yes, I boast about my grandkids (my two children also), but I save my biggest boasts for Jesus. He is the author and finisher of my faith. He is my guiding light. He is the One who rescued me from the pit of hell, so I will exhort and lift Him up wherever and whenever I can. How about you?

I lift You up, O Lord, and proclaim the majesty of Your name.


If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Empty, Humility, Pride, Sacrifice, Scripture, Self-righteousness

EMPTY YOURSELF

PHILIPPIANS 2:7

“but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men.”

Emptying ourselves of our pride and arrogance can be a challenge. When you think you are something, you are really nothing. Selfish conceit is just as bad as seeing yourself as unworthy. We are supposed to love ourselves, just not enough to place ourselves above others. Paul continues his theme of humility and the example of Christ in today’s verse.

The Greek word used by Paul here which is translated “emptied” is kenoo which “primarily means ‘to empty’ or ‘to make void.’ In the New Testament, it is often used metaphorically to describe the act of making something of no effect or rendering it powerless. It can also imply the act of divesting oneself of status or privilege.” (Strong’s Lexicon) Christ divested Himself of His status and privilege to serve mankind.

APPLICATION

Let me ask you this – what do you need to empty yourself of? Hmmm? Nothing? Come on! Really? We all have things of which we need to empty ourselves. Kenoo is one of those Greek words ending in -oo which means the emphasis is not on the action of the verb but rather the result of the action of the verb. The result of Christ’s emptying Himself was to die for our sins. Wow!

So, what would be the result of us emptying ourselves? Better relationships? Better marriages? Better workplaces? The list could go on and on. Maybe your relationship kryptonite (for all you Superman fans out there) is pride or selfishness. Maybe it’s vanity or greed. Ask yourself if there is anything about you that is raised above Christ. Then die to it.

Paul says Christ emptied Himself and became a bondservant. That is a willing servant, someone who attaches themselves to a master knowingly. Christ served mankind willingly by making the ultimate sacrifice. How about you?

Lord, help me identify and stomp out anything in me that I have put in a position above You.

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Arrogance, Attitude, Bible, Boasting, Conceit, Emotions, Godliness, Scripture, Self-righteousness

ARROGANT WORDS

MALACHI 3:13

“‘Your words have been arrogant against Me,’ says the LORD. ‘Yet you say, “What have we spoken against You?”’”

When I first met my wife, we were both working at a children’s home in Georgia. She was the Recreation Director, and I was a Houseparent for teenage boys. I’ll never forget that she thought I was arrogant and full of myself. I don’t know – maybe I was. I have learned since then not to question her judgment. Anyway, I guess I won her over since we have been married over 38 years now.

Arrogance is what the Lord accuses the people of. They had criticized the Lord and were not even aware. We have to look back at Malachi 2:17 where this was addressed the first time. “You have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet you say, ‘How have we wearied Him?’ In that you say, ‘Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and He delights in them,’ or, ‘Where is the God of justice?’” Conceit and self-righteousness are both forms of arrogance they practiced.

APPLICATION

Before you start pointing fingers at them, check out your own heart. Do you have any arrogance in there, any conceit or self-righteousness? We all have that from time to time. We can get cocky and snobbish toward other people, even our family members. God does not look kindly on this behavior.

Paul shared with Timothy some traits that will exhibited in the last days. Man, we are seeing these today, aren’t we? 2 Timothy 3:1-5 tells us, “1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of  godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these.” 

I underlined several traits that are linked directly to arrogance. Let me ask you to check out yourself against this list. How many are you portraying daily? How many do you need to confess as sin right now? Take the time to do a self-check. Make sure you are following the Lord and not self. Then get back to loving Him and loving others. After all, isn’t that what Jesus said to do?

Father, forgive my arrogant heart and cleanse me from all self-righteousness.

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