You’re Not as Right as You Think

You’re Not as Right as You Think

Scripture References

• Luke 18:9
• Luke 18:11
• Luke 18:13
• John 13:1

Overview

Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector exposes how quickly “being right” can harden into spiritual pride. Proud people don’t love well, but humble, forgiven people overflow with love that draws others to Christ. In a culture full of tension, opinions, and online arguments, Jesus reminds His disciples that the world will recognize us—not by our correctness—but by our love.

Context

The message opened with humorous sarcasm about always being right, highlighting how easily believers slip into superiority. The pastor warned the congregation he would “push” them, then stood the church for the reading of Luke 18 before moving into the teaching.

Main Points

The Pharisee & the Tax Collector (Luke 18)

• Pharisee: outwardly righteous, followed 613 rules, prayed, fasted, tithed.
• Tax collector: openly despised for obvious sin.
• Pharisee’s prayer: “God, I thank You that I’m not like other people…”—a résumé of spiritual achievements.
• Tax collector’s posture: stood at a distance, beat his chest, pleaded, “Have mercy on me, a sinner.”
• Jesus declared the humble man justified: right-ness alone didn’t impress God; humility did.
• Key observation: To Jesus it wasn’t only right vs. wrong—it was pride vs. humility.

When “Right” Turns into Spiritual Pride

• Christians often assume the job is to guard truth, so we feel morally superior to those who disagree.
• Superiority breeds judgment, which simmers into offense and eventually contempt.
• We start “assessing” churches, lifestyles, parenting, politics, even fashion (“white pants after Labor Day”).
• Result: we may be correct in ideas yet completely ineffective in love.

Jesus’ Model of Humble Love (John 13)

• Scene: Final meal, clock ticking toward the cross.
• Jesus “loved them to the end,” put on a servant’s apron, and washed dirty feet.
• He was betrayed in that moment, yet spoke tenderly:

  “My children… A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

• Identification marker of discipleship is love, not flawless doctrine, voting record, or online arguments.

Two Opposite Cycles

• Jesus was most right yet least judgmental; sinners felt safe around Him.

Illustration: The Jiu-Jitsu Mat

• Story: Pastor rolled with a skilled partner who tensed up after learning he was a pastor.
• Partner swore, then shrank back in shame.
• Pastor replied, “I don’t give a d—,” breaking the tension and assuring him, “God loves you as you are, and He’s forgiven me of so much.”
• Man melted, hugged him—proof that grace, not judgment, opens hearts.

Love Over Loudness (1 Corinthians echo)

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong…”

• Great knowledge, giving, or faith mean nothing without love.
• We can win arguments, quote Scripture, maintain “YouVersion streaks,” yet still fail to make a difference.

Key Truths

• Proud hearts impress people with credentials; humble hearts move God.
• Moral superiority repels; Christ-like love attracts.
• The badge of discipleship is love, not rightness.
• Being right in content but wrong in approach cancels our witness.
• We don’t change people by judging their sins but by pointing them to the One who forgives sins.

Response

• Ask God to expose and remove hidden spiritual pride.
• Begin daily with gratitude: “I’m a forgiven sinner,” not “I’m better than others.”
• Speak truth only in the tone of love Jesus modeled.
• Replace online arguments with genuine listening and humble conversation.
• Serve someone you disagree with in a tangible, self-sacrificing way this week.

Closing

Followers of Jesus must be known for an “unstoppable love” that mirrors the Savior who washed feet and died for enemies. Correct doctrine matters, but without humility and compassion it becomes noise.

“They will know we belong to Jesus by the way we love.”
Let’s trade the need to be right for the call to be loving, so a divided world can meet the gracious Christ who changed us first.

Prayer

The pastor thanked God for exposing pride, asked the Spirit to make the church famous for love, and invited anyone burdened by sin or shame to receive Jesus’ full forgiveness and new life through faith in Him.