05/17/2026
The Righteous Self
In my limited opinion, the loud and pious profession of righteousness should be a warning for me. There have been times when I did not heed that warning.
It appears to me that there are those who will cloak themselves in sanctity while bringing harm and pain to others for their own gain. They say to the world:
“We are in a constant spiritual battle, fighting the forces of evil using the “whole armor of God”, which is the very principle upon which our listening audience respects and deserves. To that end, we serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who our Father raised from the dead so that we who believe shall not perish but have eternal life.”
And so I am moved to write what I feel and what I have been taught:
“You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes and figs from thistles?” - Matthew 7:16
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirit to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” - 1 John 4:1
“A good man out of the good treasures of his heart brings forth good, and the evil man out of the evil treasures of his heart brings forth the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Luke 6:45
And from all of this I have personally learned:
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” - Romans 12:21
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.” - Romans 12:17
Feel free to comment, I would enjoy reading your own thoughts and wisdom.