AVOID SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS SEVEN RULES TO SUCESS -- Part 4

And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present. Luke 22:4-6 (NIV)

1. SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS IS AN INVISIBLE, OFTEN FATAL DISEASE THAT IS USUALLY DIAGNOSED AFTER IT IS TOO LATE

Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. 2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. 3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. 4 But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” 6 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself. John 12:1-6 (NLT)

4And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present. Matthew 26:14-16 (NLT)

2. CHECK YOURSELF FOR SELF-RIGHTEOUS ATTITUDES

But Paul said to him, “God will slap you, you corrupt hypocrite! What kind of judge are you to break the law yourself by ordering me struck like that?” 4 Those standing near Paul said to him, “Do you dare to insult God’s high priest?” 5 “I’m sorry, brothers. I didn’t realize he was the high priest,” Paul replied, “for the Scriptures say, ‘You must not speak evil of any of your rulers.’” Acts 23:3-5 (NLT)

3. GROUND SELF-RIGHTEOUS EMOTIONS WITH A FAITHFUL LIGHTNING ROD

4Wise words are like deep waters;

wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.

13Spouting off before listening to the facts

is both shameful and foolish.

15Intelligent people are always ready to learn.

Their ears are open for knowledge.

Proverbs 18:4,13,15 (NLT)

Just as iron sharpens iron, friends sharpen the minds

of each other. Proverbs 27:17 (CEV)

4. DEVELOP THE HEART OF A REFORMER (PROBLEM SOLVER), NOT A REBEL

Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding, interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called, and he will give the interpretation.”

Daniel 5:12 (NKJV)

29Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you". Matthew 9:29 (NIV)

19 “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!

Deuteronomy 30:19 (NLT)

JESUS LOVES YOU

Jesus said: “I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.”

John 10:10 (CEV)