Lessons from the Pharisee's Prayer
A. Gladwell, B. A. Luke 18:9-14 And he spoke this parable to certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:… There are three cautions which the Pharisee impresses on us; "for these things were written for our learning,... he being dead, yet speaketh." And in the first place, let us beware of pride. This is the great lesson the parable inculcates. Spiritual pride incapacitates a man for receiving the blessings of the gospel; it is the great obstacle which the Spirit of God has to struggle with and overthrow. Secondly, let us beware of formality in religion. We are all born Pharisees — more anxious to appear than to be Christians. To conclude, let us beware of resting in anything short of the atoning blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. (A. Gladwell, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: WEB: He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others.