"Don't Do Dat!"- Do What?

On the American TV show "The Big Bang Theory," the main characters, Sheldon, Leonard, and Rajesh, had a question about an insect they had found. They went to the office of the leading entomologist to find out what it was. They entered a darkened lab with all kinds of "creepy-crawlies" in glass cases. They looked at spiders, ants, beetles, and what not, while they waited for the professor to come back. In the low-lit room, Leonard snuck up behind Rajesh and tickled the back of his neck. This scared Rajesh and he exclaimed, "Don't do dat!" They all burst out into fits of laughs and giggles. Being a funny intro, I say that now, "Don't do DAT!" Do what? Don't be self-righteous.

What is self-righteousness? Why talk about it? Self-righteousness is when someone wants the approval and praise of men more than God's approval and praise. It is a selfish way to live which is full of pride and prevents God from using them to reach those who haven't been saved yet. 

Quickly, they are people who act religious, holier-than-thou, and make sure people know it. It's seen in every church I've been to. They have to prove to everyone how good they are wherever they go. I see this all the time. Perfect speech, perfect clothes, perfect family, perfect lives. Nothing is wrong, they have no troubles, they're fine and dandy. All a big show to be praised by men and they thrive on it. This is the lie they present. It reminds me of Facebook posts or Instagram posts. 

Sadly, they are missing the reasons for going to church in the first place, which is loving each other, helping each other, confessing our faults to one another and bearing our burdens with one another, building each other up, praying for and strengthening each other, and a host of other benefits from meeting together. They don't care about any of that because it's all about them. It runs rampant all over the church everywhere. It's seen even in the construction of sanctuaries and cathedrals across the world which scream," Look at me! See how righteous I am!" It's even taught in some circles such as "Look your best, do your best, be your best." Sure this sounds good, but can push away the very people God wants to save because maybe they don't look their best, do their best, or have been their best.

Even our clothes, which have become religious tradition, can hinder people from being saved. I have known people who won't go to church because they don't have dress clothes. They are intimidated simply by what others wear at church and feel like they aren't good enough. This all because people try to impress each other. All for putting on a big show. Doesn't help one bit.

But people want to be made to feel special. We all crave the acceptance and approval of others that's where all this comes from. Insecurity is what drives this monster, so people try to show their own goodness apart from God to be "seen by man." This pushes people away who do not feel like they are good enough. The self-righeous don't care and will judge, condemn, and reject anyone who is not "perfect" like them. The scribes and Pharisees were great examples of this as they judged, condemned, and rejected Jesus all throughout His ministry. He called them on it though when He said:

Matthew 23:25-28 NKJV

[25] “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.  [26] Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. [27] “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.  [28] Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. 

Scripture tells us this happens:

Proverbs 20:6 NKJV [6] Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man?

Proverbs 30:12 NKJV [12] There  is a generation that  is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness.

Jesus taught against it because it is useless:

Matthew 6:1-4 NKJV

[1] “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.  [2] Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.  [3] But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,  [4] that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. 

Matthew 6:5-8 NIV

[5]  “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. [6] But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. [7] And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. [8] Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Matthew 6:16-18 NIV

[16]  “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. [17] But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, [18] so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 

So, the answer Church? "Don't Do Dat!"

Repent from it, turn from it, get it out of the Church. So, God can save others through us by His Spirit working in us in love.

CONTACT ME AT: postjeff0321@gmail.com. I'd love to connect with you!!! 

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Love you all,

Jeffrey Post