I M Perfect lady

In a conversation I had, someone was saying, that there is a fine line between rebuke and self-righteousness….and that self-righteousness was perhaps the most tricky of all sins.

I had to look up first, the meaning of Rebuke.

"express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behavior or actions."  

I am not aware that rebuking is wrong….is it?

I then, looked up the word Self-Righteous.

"Having or characterized by a certainty, esp. an unfounded one, that one is totally correct or morally superior."

I can see that if you are certain about an unfounded certainty, that you would be off the mark…but if you are certain about a certainty, than you can't be classified as self-righteous.

The way I am feeling or the message I am getting is that rebuking and self-righteousness are bad, sinful even.

Which then means, that in the eyes of some, I am being a sinner….for having or more, for expressing sharp disapproval of the abusive behavior of my parents…but not self-righteous, for I am not certain about something unfounded.

I find these two words being used as warnings….that I best be careful where I tread or how.  Instead, I see them as blinders or stop gaps or safety nets for the folks who don't want to be Found OUT….or called out.

These 'sins' work remarkably well if you don't want to face sharp disproval.  

I believe that self-righteousness is a "Tricky Sin" only if you are feeling certain about something unfounded.  

Again, I am in awe of what fears fall into place….that they are more afraid of 'sinning' than paying attention to who their fellow church members are, what they are doing, and what is the cost of "not sinning" to the children who are waiting for someone to show sharp disproval to the behaviors that is being done to them!

I guess, in the eyes of many, I have sinned.

I have sinned.  Not my father….

I have sinned by rebuking him and for being certain.

In my opinion, if these two words are similiar and one is a tricky sin, then the opposite of me, is being good.  A non-sinner.  

Which then explains the silence of the church members.

But they need to know, self-righteous is a wrong; especially if it is unfounded.

Certainty is fine….unless you are certain about something that is a lie.

If this is true, than I see more self-righteous within the familys of abuse…upholding characters of goodness…to folks who are abusing.  That to me, is being self-righteous…holding on to unfounded goodness.