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HOLIER-THAN-THOU

“The tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’” Luke 18:13 ESV. A heart that understands the unmerited grace God offers will not fall victim to a superiority complex toward others. If we are still under the delusion that we're blessed because of our moral rectitude or exceptional knowledge, then, like the pharisee, prideful judgmentalism is assured. Religious arrogance paralyzes spiritual progress and sets us up for a fall. I want to believe that I’ve left all sanctimonious pride far behind, but it still pops up like burnt toast from time to time. Spiritual pride can remain in our soul camouflaged as feeling a notch above fellow believers. It's not pleasing to God for me to deny someone else the mercy and grace on which I so heavily depend. Lord, have mercy on my earthly ways and make me more like You. May my pursuit of piety never produce a holier-than-thou response to others. 

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