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"Self-righteousness is also much promoted by the almost universal spirit of trifling which is now abroad. Only while men trifle with themselves can they entertain the idea of personal merit before God. He who comes to serious thoughts and begins to understand the character of God before whom the heavens are not pure and the angels are charged with folly, he, I say, that comes to serious thought and beholds a true vision of God abhors himself in dust and ashes and is forever silenced as to any thought of self-justification.

It is because we do not seriously examine our condition that we think ourselves rich and increased with goods. A man may fancy that he is prospering in business and yet he may be going back in the world. If he does not face his books or take stock, he may be living in a fool’s paradise spending largely when on the verge of bankruptcy.

Many think well of themselves because they never think seriously. They do not look below the surface, and hence, they are deceived by appearances. The most troublesome business to many men is thought, and the last thing they will do is weigh their actions, test their motives, or ponder their ways to see whether things be right with them. Self-righteousness being supported by ignorance, by pride, by unbelief, and by the natural superficiality of the human mind is strongly entrenched and cannot be readily driven out of men. Yet self-righteousness is evidently evil for it makes light of sin.

It talks of merit in the one who has already transgressed and boasts of excellence in reference to a fallen and depraved creature. It prattles of little faults, small failures and slight omissions and so makes sin to be a venial error which may be readily overlooked. Not so faith in God, for though it recognizes pardon, yet that pardon is seen to come in a way which proves sin to be exceedingly sinful."

- Charles Haddon Spurgeon

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