Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise- why destroy yourself?
– Ecclesiastes 7:16 (NIV)
Introduction
The Bible never discourages living rightly or striving for perfection before God. In fact, Jesus said:
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)
What God is against is self-righteousness that excessive attempt to appear holy, flawless, or superior to others. True righteousness is rooted in humility and dependence on God, while self-righteousness exalts self instead of glorifying Him.
In Christ, chanting, praying, or using religious terms doesn’t make us spiritual. What makes us truly spiritual is the grace of Christ and the truth of His Word.
Overly righteous means going beyond genuine godliness into self-righteousness, legalism, or pretentious holiness, trying to appear perfect or holier than others rather than truly living by God’s grace.
The writings of Paul strongly stand against being “overly righteous.” Let’s see some scenarios:
1. Boasting in Works Rather than Grace
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith… not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Paul makes it clear that salvation is never earned by “looking holy” or doing good deeds. When people boast in their works, it’s being overly righteous which robs God of His glory. Paul shifts the focus from boasting in self to boasting in Christ alone.
2. Legalistic Teachings that Burden Believers
1 Timothy 4:3 – “They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving…”
False teachers promoted harsh restrictions as a sign of holiness. Paul calls it deception, because God never made righteousness about rules on food or marriage. Overly righteous people invent rules to “look holy” instead of embracing God’s gifts with gratitude.
3. Empty Religion Instead of Pure Heart
1 Timothy 1:5-7 – “The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about.”
Some wanted to be seen as religious “teachers of the law” but missed the heart of the gospel which is love and sincere faith. Overly righteous people chase titles, arguments, and appearances, but neglect what God actually values love from a pure heart.
4. Rejecting Self-Righteous Identity
Philippians 3:8-9 – “.not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ.”
Paul had every reason to boast in religion (Pharisee, blameless by the law). Yet he calls it “rubbish” compared to knowing Christ. Overly righteous people cling to titles, traditions, or religious pedigree. Paul discards all that as worthless compared to grace.
5. Trusting in the Law Instead of Christ
Romans 10:3 – “For they, being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.”
Israel pursued law-keeping as the way to look righteous, but this was self-righteousness. True righteousness comes only by submitting to God’s way through faith in Christ. Overly righteous people put trust in rules and appearances. Paul says this is blindness to God’s grace.
Conclusion
Are you acting “overly righteous” and you don’t know?
Being “overly righteous” is not true holiness — it is self-righteousness disguised as godliness. Paul repeatedly warns against it because it exalts man instead of Christ.
True righteousness is:
- Rooted in faith in Christ.
- Expressed through humility and gratitude.
- Evidenced by love flowing from a pure heart.
