The Way of the Pharisee and the Way of the Tax Collector Luke 18:9

📖 Text: Luke 18:9–14
🗣️ Preacher: Dr. Chuah

1. Introduction — Seeking Approval is Universal

Dr. Chuah begins by reminding us that “all of us are on a quest for justification.”
To seek justification means to seek approval — a deep, universal longing present in every human heart.

Luke 18:9 – “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable.”

Everyone seeks approval — children from parents, employees from employers — but ultimately, we all desire approval from God, to one day hear Him say:

“Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23)

This longing for divine approval can either lead us into humility and grace, or into self-righteousness and pride.
Jesus illustrates both paths through this parable.

2. The Setting of the Parable

Two men went up to the temple to pray:

One a Pharisee, religious and morally upright.
The other, a Tax Collector, despised and seen as a sinner.

Luke 18:13–14 – “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God.”

3. The Way of the Pharisee

The Pharisee is not a hypocrite in the conventional sense — he genuinely follows religious disciplines.
He prays, fasts, and tithes faithfully.
But his heart posture is wrong.
He believes his own works make him acceptable before God.

Dr. Chuah highlights three key behaviors of the Pharisee — all rooted in pride.

1️⃣ He likes to boast.

“God, I thank you that I am not like other men…” (Luke 18:11–12)

His prayer begins with “I thank you,” but it is not true gratitude — it is self-congratulation.
Dr. Chuah warns of modern “humblebragging”: a boast hidden under a mask of humility.
Pride manifests when we subtly seek validation from others, rather than from God.

💬 “When you boast, you say, ‘I’m more concerned about how others see me than how God sees me.’”

2️⃣ He likes to compare.

Pride feeds on comparison.
C.S. Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity:

“Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man.”

We elevate ourselves by putting others down — often unconsciously:

“At least I’m not like that person…”

Dr. Chuah gives everyday church examples — judging others’ dress, worship style, or spiritual maturity.
He reminds us that such comparisons are not loving and reveal self-righteousness.

Romans 12:3 – “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment.”

3️⃣ He likes to separate.

Luke 18:11 – “The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed.”

The Pharisee distances himself physically and spiritually.
He wants to be seen as distinct, “better.”
Dr. Chuah warns that when we isolate ourselves from those we deem “less holy,” we reveal spiritual arrogance.

Romans 12:16 – “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.”

The Pharisee represents self-sufficiency — the belief that one’s morality earns God’s favor.

4. The Way of the Tax Collector

In contrast, the tax collector stands at a distance, unable even to look up.
He feels the weight of his sin.
He cries out:

“God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” (Luke 18:13)

Dr. Chuah notes that in Greek, it reads literally: “God, have mercy on me, the sinner.”
He singles himself out — not as better, but as worse.

The Tax Collector’s Posture:

He is humble.
He recognizes his unworthiness before a holy God.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)
He is contrite.
He beats his chest — an outward sign of inner sorrow.

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)
He is repentant.
His plea for mercy acknowledges that only God can atone for sin.

“God, have mercy on me” implies, “God, atone for me.”

Dr. Chuah explains that true repentance is not merely knowing we are sinners in our head — but feeling it in our heart, as Martin Luther said:

“Be not a false but a real sinner… Acknowledge yourself worthy before God of His wrath, and plead for His mercy.”

5. The Gospel Truth — Justification by Grace

The Pharisee trusts in himself; the tax collector trusts in God.
Therefore, Jesus declares:

“This man, rather than the other, went home justified before God.” (Luke 18:14)

Dr. Chuah connects this to the Westminster Confession of Faith (Q33):

“Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein He pardons all our sins and accepts us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, received by faith alone.”

We cannot justify ourselves; only Christ’s righteousness can make us right before God.

Romans 3:23–24 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

Grace comes only to those who know they are sinners.
If we think we deserve God’s favor, we block grace itself.

💬 “Grace can never come to those who are proud.”

6. Application — Walk the Way of the Tax Collector

Dr. Chuah calls believers to reject pride and embrace humility.
Our righteousness is borrowed, not earned.
We don’t need to boast, compare, or compete when our identity is rooted in Christ.

He closes with the story of Dwight L. Moody, the 19th-century evangelist who, after losing his temper, humbly confessed his sin publicly before preaching again — and revival broke out.
Moody “walked the way of the tax collector,” not the Pharisee.

7. Conclusion — The Way of the Pharisee vs. The Way of the Tax Collector

The Way of the Pharisee	The Way of the Tax Collector
Likes to boast	Is humble
Likes to compare	Is contrite
Likes to separate	Is repentant

Luke 18:14 – “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Reflection Questions

Who do you tend to seek approval from? How do you seek approval from God?
Give an example of your own “humblebragging.”
Who or what do you like to compare yourself to?
Is there a group of people you don’t want to be associated with?
Share an incident when you were remorseful — how did God meet you there?

Conclusion Thought

“When we come before God, there is no need to show Him we are better.
Be totally honest that you are a sinner — because that is where Jesus meets you.”
– Dr. Chuah

Great — I’ll answer the five reflection questions honestly and helpfully, in a way you can use personally or share in a group discussion. I’ll write each as a short, reflective paragraph (first person) and finish each with one practical next step.

Who do you tend to seek approval from? How do you seek approval from God?
I notice I most often look for approval from colleagues and peers — I measure myself by praise, recognition, and by not being the weakest link in a team. That shows up in small things: steering conversations toward my achievements, hesitating to ask for help, or feeling anxious when feedback is quiet. With God, my habit has been to try to “perform” — to earn favour through activity (prayer, service, neat spiritual language) rather than resting in Christ’s finished work.
Next step: Once a week I’ll practice a short prayer of surrender: “Not my work, Lord, but Yours,” and deliberately receive one silent, non-performance-based affirmation from God (e.g., Scripture: “You are loved,” not “You did well”).
Give an example of your “humblebragging.”
A typical humblebrag for me is saying something like, “I’m so exhausted from preparing the workshop — but I guess that’s because people trust me to lead important things.” It sounds like humility but really highlights approval and status. It reveals the subtle craving to be seen as competent and indispensable.
Next step: When I catch myself framing a humblebrag, I’ll stop, rephrase it simply (fact only), and add a line of gratitude to God for the opportunity rather than self-praise.
Who or what do you like to compare?
I compare myself most to peers who seem to “have it together” professionally — their titles, promotions, or polished social posts. I also compare spiritual life: someone’s public devotion can feel like a measuring stick for my own faith. These comparisons often steal joy and skew my view of God’s unique call on my life.
Next step: Replace one daily scroll/compare moment with 3 minutes of gratitude journaling: list three real, ordinary gifts God has given me today (not achievements).
Is there a group of people that you don’t want to be associated with?
Yes — I’m sometimes tempted to avoid people I view as “difficult,” “worldly,” or “messy” because associating with them might affect my reputation or make me uncomfortable. That instinct reveals a Pharisee-like fear of contamination instead of a gospel heart of compassion.
Next step: Intentionally reach out once this month to someone I would normally avoid (a simple message, coffee, or practical help) with the posture: “I want to listen, not fix.”
Share an incident when you were remorseful.
Once, during a group meeting, I snapped at a teammate who nervously presented a half-prepared idea. I later realized my anger came from insecurity — I feared the project failing reflected on me. I felt deep remorse, apologized, and tried to make amends. That moment taught me how quickly pride disguises itself as “high standards.”
Next step: I’ll keep a brief “accountability notebook” and, when I blow up or withdraw, I’ll write the trigger, my motive, and one concrete apology/repair action within 24 hours.

Closing sentence:
These reflections point me toward the tax-collector posture: honest weakness before God, readiness to repent, and a soft heart toward others. My goal is to trade the Pharisee’s armour of comparison and boasting for a daily practice of humility, confession, and simple, gospel-shaped actions.

🌺 Closing Prayer (After the Meeting Ends)

“Let us close in prayer.”

Gracious Lord,
We thank You for this time of learning, reflection, and encouragement. Thank You for reminding us again of Your grace — that You justify the humble and draw near to the contrite in heart.

As we leave this meeting, help us carry Your Word into our week — to walk humbly, love mercy, and act justly.
Let our conversations today bear fruit in the way we live, speak, and serve others.
Bless every member of DG6 with peace, protection, and renewed faith.

May the love of God our Father,
the grace of Jesus Christ our Lord,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us now and always.

In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.

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