Generalized Pharisee Disorder (GPD): Raising Awareness

Recently I read through Shel Silverstein’s book of children’s poetry, A Light in the Attic, with my two older kids. I was surprised at the theological insight of one of his poems entitled, “Almost perfect…but not quite.” It humorously follows the life (and death) of Mary Hume, who is unfortunately rather self-righteous and judgmental. I quote it here in full:

Yikes. Poor old Mary Hume. Rejected at the pearly gates for her imperfection, just as she had always rejected everyone else. As Jesus said, “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:2).

In the Bible, self-righteousness is a big deal, especially in the New Testament. For instance:

• Jesus confronts the sin of self-righteousness more severely than any other sin in his ministry (e.g. Matthew 23).

• Jesus addresses religious hypocrisy more often than lust, anger, and drunkenness combined.

• Jesus’ greatest earthly enemies were not the polytheistic Gentiles, but the religious chief priests and litigious Pharisees, who ultimately crucified him (Matthew 27:1-2).

• One of the only people Jesus ever turned away, the Rich Young Ruler, was turned away because of his self-righteousness (Luke 18:18-22).

• Old Testament prophets repeatedly railed against those who were outwardly religious but inwardly lacked love for God and neighbor (e.g. Isaiah 29:24).

• Paul’s letter to the Galatians is a full-on assault of self-righteousness.

So here’s the question. If it’s such a big deal in the Bible, one of the greatest diseases of the human heart that has enormous spiritual, relational, emotional, and social consequences, why is it not more often considered a counseling issue?

Do you know of any self-help books for struggling Pharisees? I wonder what would happen if we sought help and fought against self-righteousness as often as we do other counseling issues? Think of how many conflicts it would prevent or resolve in marriage if both spouses knew they were equally sinners in need of the grace of God. Think of how much anxiety and depression could be relieved by replacing the heavy burden of rule-keeping legalism with acceptance through the work of Christ.

With that in mind, here is my attempt at presenting self-righteousness as a counseling issue, just as you might find in a manual of psychological diagnoses like the DSM-5. This is intentionally written a bit tongue-in-cheek, not because it’s a laughing matter nor to slight psychology but rather to help you drop your guard and let the Spirit work.

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Generalized Pharisee Disorder (GPD): Diagnosis and Treatment

Also known as: Elder Brother Syndrome (EBS), Chronic Haughty Spirit (CHS); commonly referred to as Self-Righteousness and Legalism

Symptoms:

• Incessant judgmental thoughts of others

• Obsessive adherence to a set of rules

• Persistent self-justification through individual attributes, achievements, possessions, and / or relationships

• Consistent boasting (to self or others) of group association (social, racial, religious, economic, etc)

• Sensitivity to criticism from those deemed equal or greater in status

• Occasional bouts of secret despair over unresolved guilt, followed by superficial treatments of relief; may also present as a protracted sense of insecurity

• Apathy towards the grace of God

• A difficulty forgiving the offenses and failures of others, often presenting as bitterness and / or gossip

• Feelings of anger or resentment toward God for not giving you what you deserve

• A sense of gratitude that God has made you better than your neighbor

• An avoidance of the inner spiritual life in favor of outer religious observance

• Feelings of dullness towards the Word of God

• Aimlessness and lack of motivation in prayer, except in the presence of others

• A denial or justification of the above symptoms

If you have one or more of these symptoms, your spiritual life is likely disordered by Pharisaism, one of the deadliest diseases of the human heart. Seek help immediately at the Throne of Grace. See below for effective treatment of GPD.

Treatment:

Generalized Pharisee Disorder (GPD) is a chronic spiritual disease affecting a large majority of the population (100%) with a wide range of depth, persistence, and presentation. The grace of God has shown to be particularly effective in causing GPD to go into remission for long periods of time, but research has shown that relapses are common. The only known cure for GPD is the resurrection from the dead into glory. In the meantime, the following treatment is recommended to help manage GPD (see attached Scripture for details):

1. Humble yourself (1 Pet 5:5, Jam 4:6)

2. Embrace poverty of spirit (Mat 5:3)

3. Count as loss all possible sources of self-justification (Phil 3:1-11)

4. Consider sins of the heart (Mat 5:21-30; 15:1-20)

5. Consider not just sins of commission, but omission (Mat 5:38-6:21; Jam 4:17)

6. Confess your sins to another (1 John 1:5-9; Jam 5:16)

7. Invite others to point out your blind spots (Heb 3:13)

8. Measure yourself by Jesus, not others (Mat 5:48; Rom 3:23)

9. Admit the insufficiency of attempts at self-atonement (Heb 9:11-10:21)

10. Admit your works of self-justification are like filthy rags (Isa 64:6)

11. Remember: salvation is a gift, unearned and free (Rom 3:23-26; Gal 2:15-21)

12. Remember: a right standing with God is based on the work of Christ, not your own (Rom 5:15-21; 2 Cor 5:21)

If you believe your life may be disordered by GPD, don’t wrestle in silence. There is a Great Physician who loves the self-righteous and delights in setting them free into a life of humble assurance, gratitude, and love. Speak to Him today.

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My hope as you read this is that your first thought is not, “Oh, [so and so] needs to read this. This describes them to a T.” Instead, I hope you read this and think first of yourself. Even better, if it convicts you, I hope it also makes you laugh at yourself. That would be a great first step of repentance.

To confess, I can see a lot of these things in myself. I don’t want to be like Shel Silverstein’s Mary Hume, who spent her life unaware that she, too, fell short of the glory of God. If that’s the case, I too will hear at the Throne of Judgment, “Almost perfect…but not quite.” Instead, I want to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your master.” And I know the only way I will hear such words is by learning to pray these words (perhaps you’ll pray along): “God, be merciful to me, a Pharisee!”