Sunday, November 16, 2025

Wrong Things

The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself, "God, I thank You that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers, or even like this tax collector."
- Luke 18:11

Do you ever find, like this Pharisee, that you are thanking God for all the wrong things?

Do you ever pray to God with a sense of superiority, thanking Him for the fact that you’ve done the right things and that you’re better than all those “sinners” out there? Don’t be like the Pharisees, whom Jesus called “a brood of vipers” (Matthew 3:7) and “sons of hell” (Matthew 23:15).

It is right to give thanks and praise to God, but we should do it remembering always that He is the source of all goodness.

John 15:5 tells us, “Without God, you can do nothing.” There is nothing good or praiseworthy that comes through us, but only through the grace of God. Remember that we are called to be an example to non-believers. Second Corinthians 5:20 says, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors.”

As you sit down for your time with God today make sure you are praising Him with the right heart and the right attitude. He has allowed you to be a light for Him in the world and has allowed you to hold His hand as you do good together.

Further Reading

• 1 Corinthians 1:26-29
• Luke 5:31-32
• Romans 1:21