We create two lists, one list of what is good and one list of what is bad. When we are able to live up to our lists we pick up the attitude of the self-righteous and begin poking at others.

The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector (bad list).  I fast twice a week; I pay tithes ofall that I get (good list).’  But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God be merciful to me, the sinner!’ (Luke 18:11-13)

The sinful attitude of the self-righteous caused God to turn away from the Pharisee even as he went out of his way to pray.

Our two lists are not always inspired by religion, they may be inspired by politics or painful experiences or some self defined morality or the need to feel superior.

God forgive me…self-righteous sinner.