“Unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others,” Christ spoke the parable of the Pharisee and the publican. The Pharisee goes up to the temple to worship, not because he feels that he is a sinner in need of pardon, but because he thinks himself righteous and hopes to win commendation. His worship he regards as an act of merit that will recommend him to God. At the same time it will give the people a high opinion of his piety. He hopes to secure favor with both God and man. His worship is prompted by self-interest.
(COL 150.1)
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And he is full of self-praise. He looks it, he walks it, he prays it. Drawing apart from others as if to say, “Come not near to me; for I am holier than thou” (Isaiah 65:5), he stands and prays “with himself.” Wholly self-satisfied, he thinks that God and men regard him with the same complacency.
(COL 150.2)
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“God, I thank thee,” he says, “that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.”Luke 18:11. He judges his character, not by the holy character of God, but by the character of other men. His mind is turned away from God to humanity. This is the secret of his self-satisfaction.
(COL 150.3)
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