{"id":44485,"date":"2019-12-25T00:10:56","date_gmt":"2019-12-24T21:10:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=44485"},"modified":"2025-05-06T20:44:24","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T17:44:24","slug":"do-not-be-overly-righteous","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2019\/12\/25\/do-not-be-overly-righteous\/","title":{"rendered":"DO NOT BE OVERLY RIGHTEOUS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Shalom, beloved of God! Let\u2019s explore a powerful truth from God\u2019s Word.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 7:16<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

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\u201cDo not be overly righteous, nor be overly wise\u2014why should you destroy yourself?\u201d (NKJV)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

At first glance, this verse can be confusing. Isn’t righteousness a good thing? Doesn\u2019t God call us to pursue holiness and wisdom? Why would Scripture warn us not to be too righteous<\/em> or too wise<\/em>?<\/p>\n

To understand this verse, we must look beyond surface meaning. Ecclesiastes is part of the Wisdom Literature in the Bible, written to help us live wisely and humbly in a broken world. Here, the writer\u2014believed to be Solomon\u2014is not saying we should avoid righteousness or wisdom. Instead, he is warning against self-righteousness<\/strong> and pride in human wisdom<\/strong>, which can lead to spiritual downfall.<\/p>\n

1. The Danger of Self-Righteousness<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Being \u201coverly righteous\u201d in this context refers to self-righteousness<\/strong>\u2014the attitude of someone who believes they are more moral, holy, or superior to others. This kind of righteousness isn’t grounded in God’s grace but in personal pride. It’s the kind of thinking that leads people to look down on others and boast in their own spiritual achievements.<\/p>\n

Jesus condemned this attitude in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector:<\/p>\n

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\u201cHe also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: \u2018Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector… The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people\u2014robbers, evildoers, adulterers\u2014or even like this tax collector…”\u2019\u201d<\/em>
\u2014Luke 18:9\u201314<\/strong> (NIV)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Jesus concluded by saying that the humble<\/strong> man\u2014not the self-righteous one\u2014went home justified before God. This shows us that true righteousness comes from humility and faith<\/strong>, not from exalting ourselves above others.<\/p>\n

2. The Folly of Being \u201cOverly Wise\u201d<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The verse also warns us not to \u201cbe overly wise.\u201d This doesn\u2019t mean we shouldn\u2019t seek godly wisdom\u2014Proverbs is full of exhortations to do just that (Proverbs 4:7). But when a person becomes proud of their knowledge, thinking they are wiser than others\u2014or even wiser than God\u2019s Word\u2014they become spiritually blind.<\/p>\n

Paul warns us in 1 Corinthians 8:1<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

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\u201c\u2026Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

And again in Romans 12:3<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

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\u201cDo not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

When we elevate ourselves through knowledge or spiritual gifts, we become blind to our need for grace and correction. In fact, those who think they know everything become unteachable<\/strong>, and that pride can lead to destruction (see Proverbs 16:18<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

3. Examples from Scripture<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Pharisees and Sadducees are classic examples. They had deep knowledge of the Scriptures and prided themselves on religious observance. Yet they were blind to the truth when Jesus, the very Messiah they were waiting for, stood before them. In their self-righteousness, they rejected Him and ultimately sought His death (John 5:39\u201340<\/em>, Matthew 23:27\u201328<\/em>).<\/p>\n

This is what Ecclesiastes 7:16 warns against\u2014righteousness and wisdom that are disconnected from humility, love, and dependence on God.<\/strong> That path leads not to life, but to self-destruction.<\/p>\n

4. Grace, Not Performance<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As believers, we are called to pursue righteousness\u2014but not through self-effort or comparison with others. We are made righteous by grace through faith<\/strong> in Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

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\u201cFor it is by grace you have been saved, through faith\u2014and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God\u2014not by works, so that no one can boast.\u201d<\/em>
\u2014Ephesians 2:8\u20139<\/strong> (NIV)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

We are to walk humbly with God, remembering that everything we have\u2014gifts, wisdom, holiness\u2014comes from Him (see James 1:17<\/strong>, 1 Corinthians 4:7<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

5. A Word of Caution and Hope<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re a pastor, a prophet, a teacher, or someone who operates in spiritual gifts\u2014such as healing, wisdom, or miracles\u2014remember this truth:<\/p>\n

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\u201cDo not be overly righteous\u2026\u201d (Ecclesiastes 7:16)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Stay humble. Do not let your spiritual maturity make you feel superior to others. Even your best works are the result of God\u2019s mercy, not your own effort.<\/p>\n

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\u201cAll our righteous acts are like filthy rags\u2026\u201d<\/em>
\u2014Isaiah 64:6<\/strong> (NIV)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Boast only in the cross of Christ.<\/p>\n

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\u201cLet the one who boasts boast in the Lord.\u201d<\/em>
\u20141 Corinthians 1:31<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

6. An Invitation to Salvation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you have not yet received Jesus as Lord, this message is for you too. The world is heading toward sudden change and judgment. The Bible says God\u2019s wrath will be poured out on those who reject His Son (Revelation 16<\/em>). But now is the time of salvation!<\/p>\n

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\u201cNow is the day of salvation.\u201d<\/em>
\u20142 Corinthians 6:2<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

No matter your past\u2014whether it includes addiction, sexual sin, pornography, abortion, profanity, pride, vanity, or anything else\u2014Jesus is ready to forgive you. But you must come to Him in repentance. Turn from sin. Ask for mercy. He will forgive you.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWhoever comes to me I will never drive away.\u201d<\/em>
\u2014John 6:37<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Repent sincerely. Delete worldly music, indecent pictures, ungodly contacts, and throw out anything that leads you away from God. This is not legalism\u2014it is true surrender.<\/p>\n

Then be baptized in water\u2014in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38)\u2014and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and guide you. He will give you power to live a new life, to overcome sin, and to grow in holiness.<\/p>\n

When you do this from the heart, you will be born again (John 3:3), and you will be ready when Christ returns.<\/p>\n

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\u201cBlessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!\u201d<\/em>
\u2014Revelation 19:9<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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