Self-knowledge - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned, and done this evil in your sight.
Psalm 51:3.4.

Self-knowledge
We all have a keen eye for the sins and weaknesses of our fellow-citizens. We call it human insight.

The Pharisee in Luke 18 went to the temple to pray. But his words were no request. He was in need of nothing! He considered himself far superior to other people, particularly the tax collector standing there behind him. He could look down on him! So the Pharisee thought he had sufficient reason to be thankful. Thankful to whom? To God? He did say, "God, I thank you ," (but he actually meant himself), "that I am not like other men."

God had no reason to hear the Pharisee's prayer. That self-satisfied man was insensitive as to God's holiness and as to the state of his own heart depraved by sin. He had no cause to ask for God's grace. He returned to his home as blind as he had come.

The tax collector on the other hand saw himself in God's light. That humbled him profoundly. He had no reason to accuse others. Such self-knowledge is imperative, if one wishes to approach God. The tax collector prayed, "God, be merciful to me a sinner." And the Lord Jesus Christ added: "This man went down to his house justified rather than the other." Whoever comes to God in this attitude receives forgiveness and peace.

Today's reading: Joshua 15:1-19 · 1 Corinthians 12:14-31