The Barrenness of Self-Righteousness

Self-righteousness is one of the most deceptive spiritual conditions because it often grows in environments where God is genuinely sought. It does not begin with rebellion or indifference; it begins with discipline, structure, and a sincere desire to live rightly. Over time, however, when the heart is not carefully guarded, what starts as devotion slowly becomes self-dependence, and what begins as obedience quietly turns into identity.

Many young people fall into this path without realizing it. They learn the routines, adopt the language, master the practices, and eventually begin to measure themselves by how well they perform them. At that point, grace is no longer the foundation, even though it is still mentioned. Performance takes its place. The spiritual life becomes something to maintain rather than a relationship to nurture.

This is where barrenness sets in. Self-righteousness looks active but produces little life. It is busy yet dry, confident yet fragile. There may be prayer, fasting, service, and consistency, yet there is little joy, little peace, and little compassion. The heart grows tight, easily offended, and slow to repent. Weakness in others becomes irritating rather than moving. Failure feels threatening because it challenges the image carefully built over time.

Even prayer is not immune. Prayer, which should soften the heart, can become a subtle platform for self-justification. Words may be directed toward God, but the posture is inwardly self-aware. The prayer becomes a report of effort, a list of sacrifices, or a quiet comparison with others. Communion is replaced by presentation. Instead of being lowered by the presence of God, the heart leaves prayer feeling affirmed by its own consistency.

What makes self-righteousness especially dangerous is that it often feels like spiritual maturity. Discipline is mistaken for depth, knowledge for transformation, and visibility for intimacy. Yet life with God does not grow from record-keeping. It grows from dependence. Where dependence fades, barrenness follows, no matter how impressive the structure looks from the outside.

Young believers must learn early that God is not impressed by how well we manage righteousness. He is drawn to humility, honesty, and a heart that knows its need for mercy. Obedience matters, but obedience disconnected from grace becomes heavy. It produces pressure instead of peace and judgment instead of love.

The way back is not through abandoning discipline, but through restoring brokenness. When the heart remembers where grace found it, pride loosens its grip. When repentance becomes normal again, life begins to flow. When obedience returns to being a response to love rather than a tool for self-validation, fruit appears naturally.

Self-righteousness is barren because it stands alone. Grace is fruitful because it keeps us connected. The path that leads to life is not the one where we prove ourselves right, but the one where we remain aware of our dependence. On this path, growth is sustained, joy is preserved, and spirituality becomes alive again.

Reference: Luke 18 v 9 -14

The Process