Do not be overrighteous,
neither be overwise—
why destroy yourself?
Ecc. 7:16
What? The Bible instructs us not to be too righteous!
One commentator gives this explanation:
“Do not be simplistically righteous with the expectation of immediate reward, neither be naively wise, why cause yourself to be astonished that God did not honor your righteous living with immediate blessing?”
That’s a pretty good shot at it. I would add, don’t fool yourself and think that you are righteous when you’re really not, and thereby destroy your humanity with a false coat of painted-on perfection.
And, I’d add on the New Testament view too, that we are made righteous in Christ, and yet, in ourselves, yeah, still not prefect in everyday thought and behavior.
I’ve got some flaws; you too; let’s admit them.
I was upset this week with one of my daughters when I should have just kept my cool. She did nothing wrong. I was just impatient. I am not in danger of being overly righteous in the sense of being super good.
Actually, to be honest, I don’t always even always want to be good. I have no desire to be on somebody’s pedestal or my own. I’ll fall off fast. I don’t much like people who think they are above everyone else or myself when I act that way.
That’s probably wrong of me, not to want to be too righteous, or perfect, perhaps it’s a rationalization for wrong stuff, but I do want to be better than I have been — a lot, mostly, kind of — and I am very comfortable with being human, which of course I am, which means not perfect.
I guess I’ve gotten to more okay with me not perfect, because I know that I am trying to be right and that when I’m not, I am loved and forgiven by God and my family.
I’m good with human.
Hope you are too.
Thrive! 