Our Great Danger - Self-Righteousness

October 25 – 31, 2026

Key Text

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21

Study Help: Christ’s Object Lessons, 307–319; My Life Today, 311

Introduction

“Brethren, we must beware of the pretended holiness that permits transgression of the law of God. Those cannot be sanctified who trample that law under their feet, and judge themselves by a standard of their own devising.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 5, 1099

Sunday

1 SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS, A FAILURE

1.a. When Adam and Eve lost their spiritual garments, how did they try to cover their nakedness? Genesis 3:7. Since then, how have we all tended to cover our spiritual “nakedness”?

Note: “Naked and ashamed, they [our first parents] tried to supply the place of the heavenly garments by sewing together fig leaves for a covering.

“This is what the transgressors of God’s law have done ever since the day of Adam and Eve’s disobedience. They have sewed together fig leaves to cover the nakedness caused by transgression. They have worn the garments of their own devising, by works of their own they have tried to cover their sins, and make themselves acceptable with God.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 311

1.b. What has always been the attitude of the majority of professed believers toward sin, and why? Matthew 15:8; Proverbs 14:9

Note: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. Professors of religion are not willing to closely examine themselves to see whether they are in the faith; and it is a fearful fact that many are leaning on a false hope. Some lean upon an old experience which they had years ago; but when brought down to this heart-searching time, when all should have a daily experience, they have nothing to relate. They seem to think that a profession of the truth will save them. When they subdue those sins which God hates, Jesus will come in and sup with them and they with Him. They will then draw divine strength from Jesus, and will grow up in Him.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, 188

Monday

2 GOD ABHORS SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS

2.a. How does Paul’s attitude, before his conversion, reflect the position of professed believers? Philippians 3:6. Describe a self-righteous Pharisee. Luke 18:11, 12

Note: “The Pharisee goes up to the temple to worship, not because he feels that he is a sinner in need of pardon, but because he thinks himself righteous and hopes to win commendation. His worship he regards as an act of merit that will recommend him to God. At the same time, it will give the people a high opinion of his piety. He hopes to secure favor with both God and man. His worship is prompted by self-interest.

“And he is full of self-praise. He looks it, he walks it, he prays it. Drawing apart from others as if to say, ‘Come not near to me; for I am holier than thou’ (Isaiah 65:5), he stands and prays ‘with himself.’ Wholly self-satisfied, he thinks that God and men regard him with the same complacency.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 150

2.b. How does Christ illustrate self-righteousness in the parable of the garnished house? Matthew 12:43–45

Note: “The garnished house represents the self-righteous soul. Satan is driven out by Christ. But he returns, in the hope of finding entrance. He finds the house empty, swept, and garnished. Only self-righteousness is abiding there. ‘Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.’ Self-righteousness is a curse, a human embellishment, which Satan uses for his glory. Those who garnish the soul with self-praise and flattery, prepare the way for the seven other spirits more wicked than the first. In their very reception of the truth these souls deceive themselves. They are building upon a foundation of self-righteousness.” The Review and Herald, December 12, 1899

Tuesday

3 ISRAEL MEETS A STUMBLING BLOCK

3.a. Explain why and how the Jewish nation claimed to be following after God’s righteousness while, in reality, they were turning away from it. Romans 9:31, 32; 10:3

Note: “Israel had not perceived the spiritual nature of the law, and too often their professed obedience was but an observance of forms and ceremonies, rather than a surrender of the heart to the sovereignty of love. As Jesus in His character and work represented to men the holy, benevolent, and paternal attributes of God, and presented the worthlessness of mere ceremonial obedience, the Jewish leaders did not receive or understand His words. They thought that He dwelt too lightly upon the requirements of the law; and when He set before them the very truths that were the soul of their divinely appointed service, they, looking only at the external, accused Him of seeking to overthrow it.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 46

3.b. Since the Jewish people failed to receive God’s righteousness, what loss did they suffer? Matthew 21:43. Nevertheless, how have some Jews been blessed? Isaiah 10:21

Note: “Notwithstanding the awful doom pronounced upon the Jews as a nation at the time of their rejection of Jesus of Nazareth, there have lived from age to age many noble, God-fearing Jewish men and women who have suffered in silence. God has comforted their hearts in affliction and has beheld with pity their terrible situation. He has heard the agonizing prayers of those who have sought Him with all the heart for a right understanding of His word. Some have learned to see in the lowly Nazarene whom their forefathers rejected and crucified, the true Messiah of Israel. As their minds have grasped the significance of the familiar prophecies so long obscured by tradition and misinterpretation, their hearts have been filled with gratitude to God for the unspeakable gift He bestows upon every human being who chooses to accept Christ as a personal Saviour.” The Acts of the Apostles, 379, 380

Wednesday

4 WITHOUT THE WEDDING GARMENT

4.a. In the parable of the wedding garment (Matthew 22:11), what is meant by the sentence “the king came in to see the guests”? 2 Corinthians 5:10

Note: “By the king’s examination of the guests at the feast is represented a work of judgment. The guests at the gospel feast are those who profess to serve God, those whose names are written in the book of life. But not all who profess to be Christians are true disciples. Before the final reward is given, it must be decided who are fitted to share the inheritance of the righteous.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 310

“Many who profess to be Christians are such only in name. They are not converted. They keep self prominent. They do not sit at the feet of Jesus, as Mary did, to learn of Him. They are not ready for Christ’s coming.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 80

4.b. What sentence was pronounced on the man without the wedding garment? Matthew 22:12, 13. What is the only means by which salvation is possible?

Note: “It is not enough for us to believe that Jesus is not an impostor, and that the religion of the Bible is no cunningly devised fable. We may believe that the name of Jesus is the only name under heaven whereby man may be saved, and yet we may not through faith make Him our personal Saviour. It is not enough to believe the theory of truth. It is not enough to make a profession of faith in Christ and have our names registered on the church roll.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 312

“It is impossible for man to save himself. He may deceive himself in regard to this matter, but he cannot save himself. Christ’s righteousness alone can avail for his salvation, and this is the gift of God. This is the wedding garment in which you may appear as a welcome guest at the marriage supper of the Lamb. Let faith take hold of Christ without delay, and you will be a new creature in Jesus, a light to the world.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 331

Thursday

5 HUMAN MORALISTS

5.a. What class of believers does the man without the wedding garment represent? Titus 1:16; Ezekiel 33:31

Note: “The man who came to the feast without a wedding garment represents the condition of many in our world today. They profess to be Christians, and lay claim to the blessings and privileges of the gospel; yet they feel no need of a transformation of character. They have never felt true repentance for sin. They do not realize their need of Christ or exercise faith in Him. They have not overcome their hereditary or cultivated tendencies to wrongdoing. Yet they think that they are good enough in themselves, and they rest upon their own merits instead of trusting in Christ. Hearers of the word, they come to the banquet, but they have not put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 315

5.b. What essential principle has not been understood by these people? Matthew 7:21; James 2:22–24. If, in searching our individual hearts, we find ourselves in this condition, what is our only hope?

Note: “Many who call themselves Christians are mere human moralists. They have refused the gift which alone could enable them to honor Christ by representing Him to the world. The work of the Holy Spirit is to them a strange work. They are not doers of the word. The heavenly principles that distinguish those who are one with Christ from those who are one with the world have become almost indistinguishable. The professed followers of Christ are no longer a separate and peculiar people. The line of demarcation is indistinct. The people are subordinating themselves to the world, to its practices, its customs, its selfishness.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 315, 316

“We have nothing in ourselves of which to boast. We have no ground for self-exaltation. Our only ground of hope is in the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and in that wrought by His Spirit working in and through us.” Steps to Christ, 63

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 In what sense may we be guilty of “sewing together fig leaves”?

2 What lesson must we—like the apostle Paul—make sure to learn?

3 How may we be in danger of repeating the mistake of the Jews?

4 What should we learn from the parable of the wedding garment?

5 What only gift will enable us to represent Christ before the world?