Pharisaism and religious pride, spirituality gone wrong

We easy become proud and arrogant when we manage to do something good. It's only the sad truth. This does not mean that we shall stop to do good things or stop striving for sanctification. We shall do good deeds, seek the Lord, obey him, do fasting, give money to the poor etc. We shall go to church (if they stand for the true gospel) but don't let your heart be proud and arrogant. Pride is a very serious sin. God hates religious pride. This page is also about greed, false spirituality and false leaders. I have made this page with my own pride and pharisaism in mind. May God have mercy on me. The page also exposes spirituality that has gone completely wrong.


By Carl Grinde | June 10 2016
Updated March 30 2024


Making mistakes as a Christian
Are you a christian with the ambition to serve God? Have you made a misstake? Perhaps several serious misstakes? If so, you can be forgiven if you repent and confess your sin to Jesus. King David, King Salomon, Peter and all the other disciples also failed at one point or more. For example when Jesus was arrested all the disciples fled. Peter denied Jesus in font of a woman. King David slept with another man's wife and had her husband killed to hide the whole thing. King Solomon asked God for a wise heart but was deceived by his many wives and allowed them to light sacrificial fires to their foreign gods.
What is it that you have done wrong? Repent your sin and confess it to God and ask Him for forgiveness for the sake of Jesus Christ and you will be forgiven if your confession is true and your heart is honest, if you realize what you have done wrong and repent. You can start all over with God again through the faith i Jesus and because His sacrifice on the cross and God's love and mercy.

Be humble before Jesus, our salvation is a gift from him.
If you live a healthy, sober, consecrated and sanctified life, if you pray, read the Bible and go to church etc one thing can perhaps happen after a while: you might become boastful and proud over your own righteousness. You boast before God and others and think you're so extremely good and perfect. And you might also look down on others and disrespect others. This is a very serious sin. Your own righteousness becomes your idol and you forget about your dependence on Jesus's sacrifice on the cross. Perhaps you believe that you are saved because of your own goodness? Perhaps you believe that you have saved yourself?
Don't be haughty as the scribes, the Pharisees who thought they were perfect before God only because they fasted and gave tithes, but at the same time despised others. They looked down on others. God rejected the arrogant Pharisees, the scribes who were filled with self-righteousness and boastfulness. Be humble, seek God's face. But don't forget about your dependence on Jesus's sacrifice on the cross. Don't forget your loved ones, don't forget your neighbor.
All have sinned and lost the Glory of God. We are totally dependent on Jesus's sacrifice on the cross for our salvation.
Don't forget that you are also a sinner. Do not behave like the scribes and Pharisees who despised other people.
Don't look down on other sinners. You and I are also sinners who need the sacrifice, blood and mercy and of Jesus christ. Our own righteousness not good enough for salvation, far from it, since we all also sin.


He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 18:9-14


For I say to you, That if not your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:20


Seeking God's face through prayer and fasting is a thing Jesus want's us to do.
But we shall not forget about our neighbour, our family and our loved ones. We shall not forget people in need. We shall help eachother.


“Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go before you;
the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
Isaiah 58:6-8

Saved or Self-Deceived, Part 1 (Selected Scriptures) John MacArthur
youtube.com

Homepages about pharisaism and religious pride
greatbiblestudy.com
bible.knowing-jesus.com
lifehopeandtruth.com
deeptruths.com
bible-history.com
bible.knowing-jesus.com
cslewisinstitute.org
bible.org
gospelway.com
gty.org
blueletterbible.org
bibleriches.org
amazingfacts.org
kitwechurch.com


But Jesus called them to him, and said to them, You know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your servant:
Mark 10:42-43


but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
Jeremiah 9:24



How to recognize a self-righteous and proud scribe/ Pharisee:
Who are the proud scribes and Pharisees in today's christian churches? You don't have to be old and have a big beard to behave like a proud scribe/Pharisee. You can also be young, male or female, even with your own blog, podcast, Instagram/Youtube/Facebook page.
After my new repentance that I received in October 2013 when I realized that my life was very sinful and I decided to turn back to Jesus and start living my life for God, I myself had two brief periods when I myself became a judgmental self-righteous and boastful Pharisee/ scribe. Unfortunately... Thanks be to God who made me aware of this.
Regardless of how good we all try to be, most of us are all also egoistic. It's the way things work. I made a list here of what I consider is typical for a proud religious person, a Pharisée/scribe of today.
The things listed below were not all part of my behavior during these two short periods but I can tell you what it was: I stopped doing my daily willfull sins and because of this I almost thought that I had saved myself. I almost thought that I had earned my own salvation.
Plus I made a very judgemental page on my webbsite that almost nullified Jesus's mercy. I posted a text about how to be saved. I described 13 points that I believed one had to do to be saved. Fasting was one of the things I mentioned if I remember correctly. It was absolutely totally sick and spoke for salvation by one's own efforts. God gave me a really nasty dream the night after and two days later I deleted the post and apologised on the same page when I realized my mistake.
Here is the list of of what I consider are character traits of a proud scribe/ Pharisee in todays Christian churches. And like I said, I have also been such a person... some of it anyway.
And of course, this list is not meant to refer to all Christians. Not at all. Of course there are many proud, arrogant non-believers aswell, we all know that.


Self-righteous, proud and arrogant scribe/ Pharisee of today:
Doing good deeds out of duty rather than of brotherly love

Looking down on people who are considered inferior and do not fit into the religious template

Believes that you can earn your salvation through good deeds. This would actually be possible if you were 100% righteous and never ever sinned in thought, words or deeds. Earning your own salvation would be possible if you were 100% perfect, pure and holy just as God and his son Jesus Christ. But you must realize that you are not. No matter of how many good deeds you do. You are also a sinner. Yet you are loved by God and through faith in Jesus Christ you can be seen as 100% righteous in the eyes of God. God loves you and wants to forgive you and spend eternity with you! If you believe in Jesus Christ and keep him as your Lord and confess him as your Lord and believe in your heart that he died as a sacrifice for your sins and that God resurrected him from the dead and if you say it out loud with your mouth then your sins are forgiven, you are saved, through God's love and mercy. Not because of your own good deeds. You shall also be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ.

No realization that compared to God's holiness you are on the same level as all other sinners.

Looking down on and despises "worse" sinners than one self.

Showing no mercy.

Have no forgiveness.

Pretending to always be happy and cheerful, wearing a religious mask.

Faints and falls down in the church because of self suggesion, due to imaginary God's ointment.

Would easily say: "Do you want me to pray for you?" but would never ever just sit down and converse with you.

Avoids eye contact and seldom or never greets you.

The worship service in the church is done for the Church rather than before the face of God.

Living only for riches and money.

Having a racist attitude.

Is generally cheesy, slimy, sickly, disgustful, and hypocritical.

Two trenches which we Christians easily fall into:
As Christians we can all fall into two traps:
1. Very liberal lifestyle, accepting sin, living exactly like the world, not caring about God's will, not caring about God's commandments. Only preaching God's love and mercy.

2. very judgemental, arrogant, cold attitude, having no forgiveness at all. The main focus is on God's moral and there is no focus on Jesus love and sacrifice. There is no real harmony, only robotic smiles.

Salvation is a free gift from God
We are not capable of reaching God's holy perfect standard, ethics for life. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God.
Therefore we can't work our way into heaven by good deeds. Our good deeds does not erase our sins. Salvation is a free gift from God through faith in Jesus Christ and confession in him. We recieve the salvation with two empty hands. The Galatians had become legalistic, trying to earn their way up to heaven through keeping religious laws. They had forgotten about Jesus salvation work at the cross.


O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.
Galatians 3:1


Derek Prince - The cross in my life
Youtube Derek Prince - The cross in my life
himlentv7.se

Arrogant pride is a very dangerous and serious sin
The more I think of it, the more I realize that arrogant pride is one of humanitys biggest sins. Actually it was the very first sin in history when the angel Lucifer, Satan wanted to be above God. He wanted to be worshipped. He wanted to take God's throne.

Arrogance and pride - two of my sins
Except for my sexual sins, arrogance, pride, selfishness and self-absorption has been my greatest sins in life. Also to be fixated on how I look and having a narcissist attitude... very sad but true.

The sin of partiality, favoring the rich
My brothers, don't believe that the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, Lord of glory, can stand together with having respect of persons.
For if a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel comes to your assembly and a poor man in vile raiment come in also;
And you have respect to him that wears the fancy clothing, and say to him, Sit down here in a good place; and say to the poor, You can stand over there, or sit here under my footstool:
Are you not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
Listen, my beloved brothers, Has not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to them that love him?
But you have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
Don't they blaspheme that worthy name by the which you are called?
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
The person who keeps every commandment of God's law but fails in one small detail, is as guilty as the person who has broken all the commandments.
James 2:1-10


This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
Matthew 15:8


Churhes and preachers to avoid..
Just because a person is exposed in these videos does not necessarily mean that he/she deserves to be there. For example, I think Jesse Duplantis is a good preacher of God's heart but some videos here below blacklist him and talk him down. I think that is wrong. Just because you are succesful does not mean you are evil. I also think Sid Roth and John MacArthur are good.
youtube.com Kenneth Copeland exposed
youtube.com televangelist exposed documentary
youtube.com false churches exposed

Revealing Truth
youtube.com/@RevealingTruth911

Christian Assemblies International CAI exposed. Hidden homosexual sexual abuse by church leaders
youtube.com

(2019-01-24) The video above came as a chock to me. I know former members in Christian Assemblies International.. It's very sad and horrific when sexual abuse happens. All members of Christian Assemblies International are not evil. I have met good christians there . But this was very sad to hear. I have now removed my link to them on my webbsite.

Christian Assemblies International pastor Anthony Scott Williams 14 charges of sexual assault
Christian Assemblies International pastor Anthony Scott Williams on 14 charges of aggravated indecent assault, sexual assault and sexual intercourse without consent.
coffscoastadvocate.com.au
coffscoastadvocate.com.au
religionnewsblog.com
nswcourts.com.au
donaldelley.wordpress.com
religiouschildabuse.blogspot.com

Kundalini spirit exposed
kundalini spirit exposed

When Church Turns Into a Cult
youtube.com

Headbangers Inc - More Stacey Campbell Todd Bentley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRnDXXIf1vA

Unholy Laughter
youtube.com Unholy Laughter

Kenneth Hagin Laughing Chaos - Funny Scam Tv Preacher
youtube.com

Preacher gone wild
youtube.com


Enough said. I still don't consider my heart to be cleansed from all Pharisaism and pride. I still have some bad attitudes. I don't want it! I ask God for forgiveness. Thank God for His mercy!