The Dangers Of Self-Righteousness. Series

As children of God, we are called to live a life of humility, compassion, and love. However, when we allow self-righteousness, superiority complexes, and offense to take root in our hearts, we risk hindering our relationship with God and others.

In this sermon, we will explore few biblical examples that demonstrate the importance of praying for those who offend, hurt, or wrong us, and how this practice can lead to God's blessings in our lives.

1: Jesus' Teaching on Prayer (Matthew 5:44)

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us to "love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us" (Matthew 5:44). This commandment goes against our natural inclination to seek revenge or retaliation. By praying for those who wrong us, we demonstrate our trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to bring justice.

2: Stephen's Prayer for His Persecutors (Acts 7:60)

When Stephen, one of the first Christian martyrs, was being stoned to death, he prayed, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:60). Stephen's selfless prayer demonstrates his commitment to forgiveness and his desire for God to bless his persecutors.

3: David's Prayer for His Enemies (Psalm 35:11-14)

In Psalm 35, David writes, "I am praying for my enemies, for I am kind and compassionate" (Psalm 35:13, NET). David's prayer shows that he trusts God to defend him and bring justice, rather than taking matters into his own hands.

4: Paul's Prayer for the Philippian Church (Philippians 1:9-11)

In his letter to the Philippian church, Paul writes, "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ" (Philippians 1:9-10). Paul's prayer demonstrates his desire for the church to grow in love and knowledge, even in the midst of persecution.

5: The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:21-35)

In this parable, Jesus teaches us about the importance of forgiveness and mercy. When the unmerciful servant refuses to forgive his fellow servant, he is condemned by the king. This parable illustrates the danger of self-righteousness and the importance of praying for those who wrong us, that we may receive God's mercy and blessing.

Conclusion

As we reflect on these biblical examples, we are reminded that praying for those who offend, hurt, or wrong us is not only a commandment, but also a means of blessing and growth in our lives. By letting go of self-righteousness and superiority complexes, we can cultivate a heart of humility, compassion, and love, and experience the blessings of God in our lives.