Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

Thanks to a strong brother in the Lord who showed his weakness, I am reminded none of us are above it all. I chose this scripture as a prime example of what his testimony was all about. Wrong thinking.

A Pharisee is a religious man. Nothing wrong with that if your mind is right with God but we are all in danger of taking ourselves a little too seriously. This one had an attitude that he was above it all and that sin does not touch his life and if it did his righteousness would destroy it. Jesus pointed out quickly that this man’s thinking was his failure.

Perhaps it would be easier to understand if we would just admit we are in constant danger and it is our Savior who is our rock and shield. We are so comfortable with our surroundings that it is almost as if we have made peace with sin and that should be a warning shot across our bow.

It all begins with “I don’t” and ends with pointing at a sin you might have victory over. Mine was drug addiction. Thank you Lord, you saved me. Is drug addiction the only sin out there? Same with alcohol. Many have been saved from that or sexual addiction or gambling but are those the only sins out there? No.

I am above all that is an attitude that puts me in danger just as much as hanging out with my old drug dealer. I didn’t save myself and I should not have an attitude except gratitude.

Psalm 25:1-5 Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

Deuteronomy 25:15 But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

Just in the biblical sense is associated with judgement, justice, rightness, righteousness. We use the word according to worldly definitions, which is allowed if you live your life according to the dictionary. Remember that a dictionary is a reflection of how the world talks and acts without any respect to righteousness, it is after all, JUST a dictionary.

Here is a thought I would like you to consider rethinking. “It is just flesh.” According to world few standards this is true. If you will rethink that statement, there is nothing righteous about flesh. In the bible we are repeatedly asked to resist the flesh, because it is not righteous.

How about those other just comments. “It is JUST a little white lie.” “I was JUST checking it out.” “I was JUST looking.” “It was JUST a kiss.” “I was JUST wondering.”

How many of those thoughts and actions would change if you thought of just as being judged on the basis righteousness?

I am not asking you to change how you talk. I am suggesting that you rethink about the motivations behind your just moments.

Ecclesiastes 3:16-18 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.