The Bible forewarns that most men will proclaim their own goodness.[1] In fact, Proverbs 16:2 states “All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes.” And Proverbs 21:2 reiterates that “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.”

Every evangelist laboring for souls has discovered this fact. If this is the case, then how can we reach all these self-righteous sinners? If they don’t think they need a Savior, then how can we lead them to Jesus? The solution is simple. We reach them the same way Jesus did. In Luke 16 Jesus rebuked the self-righteous religious leaders with these words: “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.”[2] Jesus then explained to them that by divorcing their wives, they were committing adultery in God’s eyes.[3] They were guilty of breaking the 7^th commandment.

As we study the gospels we see that Jesus used the law to expose sin.[4] He explained the spirit of the law and the rigorous demands of the law. His listener’s now fully understood the severity of their sins against God and their desperate need for the Savior. This is how we must witness also if we’re to see godly sorrow producing repentance leading to eternal salvation.[5] If your not sure how, visit our website for biblical resources that teach and use this approach.