Why do many Christians seem to think they are superior to everyone else?
Introduction
This is a painful but honest observation, and one that often serves as a significant barrier for those considering Christianity. When Christians act with an air of superiority, it completely misrepresents the core message of the Gospel. The Gospel should produce humility, not arrogance, because it begins with the admission of total spiritual bankruptcy.
The perception of Christian superiority is not a reflection of biblical Christianity; it is a manifestation of human pride—a sin that is just as common within the church as outside of it.
Three Sources of Spiritual Superiority
When a Christian acts superior, it is usually because they have confused the biblical truth about their identity with a sinful attitude about their performance.
1. Confusing Grace with Merit (The Theological Error)
True superiority comes from a profound misunderstanding of salvation. A Christian is saved by grace, not by being "better" than others.
The Reality of Sin: The Bible's starting point is that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Every Christian must first stand before God and admit they are a lost, broken sinner deserving of nothing good.
Salvation by Grace: Salvation is the act of God's unmerited favor. Paul reminds us: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Since salvation is a free gift received through faith, there is zero room for boasting or feeling superior to anyone. The Christian who understands the depth of their own sin is the Christian most likely to be genuinely humble.
2. Confusing Knowledge with Love (The Relational Failure)
Some Christians develop an arrogant posture after they gain knowledge of theology or biblical morality. They mistake having the right answers for having the right heart.
Love Over Knowledge: Knowledge without love is spiritually useless and actually harmful. Paul addressed this exact issue in the early church: “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1). A Christian who feels superior is puffed up—their theology is disconnected from the essential command to love their neighbor.
The Judgmental Spirit: Jesus warned against the self-righteous spirit that looks down on others: the Pharisees of the New Testament were the most morally rigid people, yet Jesus constantly rebuked them for their judgmental hearts. A truly humble Christian remembers they will be judged by the same standard they use for others (Matthew 7:1-2).
3. The Call to Radical Humility (The Biblical Mandate)
The biblical call to the Christian is the exact opposite of superiority: it is a command to radical humility and servanthood, modeled entirely by Christ.
The Mind of Christ: The ultimate antidote to spiritual pride is to adopt the "mind of Christ," who, though God, willingly humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3, NIV).
The Posture of Service: Jesus provided the ultimate example of true greatness by serving the most humble: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). The Christian who understands this serves the world, they do not stand over it in judgment.
Conclusion
The Old Testament is not a book you have graduated from; it is a book you need to continually study. It provides the deep roots of your faith.
To fully appreciate the light of the New Testament, you must first understand the shadow of the Old Testament. By studying it, you will gain a deeper understanding of God's character, a clearer picture of Christ’s mission, and a richer foundation for your own journey of discipleship.
