The Pharisee’s Virtue Signaling

Okay, Ladies and Gentlemen. We’re going to have a little vocabulary lesson.

To enlighten the inner Pharisee within us all.

You have one; I have one.

“As the Scriptures say, ‘No one is righteous— not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking (The Most High) God.’”

Romans 3:10-11

I know. It’s already a rallying pep talk.

Scripturally, I was-uh- inspired by the Parable of The Pharisee and The Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14).

Have I lost many of you already?

When we think “scripture,” many of us can tend to think “ancient,” “old Timey,” maybe even “irrelevant?”

Well, okay, I can understand that.

Therefore, let’s bump things up a few centuries or so, to more “modern” definitions.

This is a lesson on definitions here. And the applications of them.

A more “modern-day” definition of the “ancient Pharisee…”

“Virtue Signaling.”

Its Definition…

“the public expression of opinions or sentiments intended to demonstrate one's good character or social conscience or the moral correctness of one's position on a particular issue.”

Yes, it’s all about “Calling attention.”

A modern example, maybe?

Someone who is eco-friendly, proclaiming how they recycle consistently.

Is that “virtuous?” Admirable? Free from all forms of “Hypocrisy?”

Yes and no.

Next definition, therefore,…

“Virtue:”

“behavior showing high moral standards; Goodness; Righteousness; Integrity; Honesty.”

“Virtue” may feel like an outdated word, especially in our fast-paced world.

The “Signaling” of the “virtue signaling,” maybe makes it more relevant.

But it still conveys an awful lot of Pharisee.

Going back to our eco-friendly person example…

They are eco-friendly, proclaiming (probably loudly, on social media) how they recycle consistently.

Okay.

But they also drive a gas guzzler, maximizing their “carbon footprint.”

Not EXACTLY great for the environment.

Let’s now tack on a Hollywood celebrity version of this point we often hear about.

“Said celebrity” is an environmentalist, again, recycling, like crazy.

Yet they still insist on flying their private jets all around the world.

They proclaim the saving of the environment. But they don’t want to fly, like the common folks do.

They do not share in the solidarity of lost luggage, long waits, and the fun that is “regular people flying.”

Before I throw all the stones at my chosen glass houses, let me proclaim that I “recycle.”

And I also use products that are not “eco-friendly.”
My adolescence, alone, burned gigantic holes in The Ozone Layer, because of my use of Aqua Net.

But a good hair day. Being a teenager. It’s about priorities, right?

This is not to pick on environmentalists.

It’s to illustrate the definition of Hypocrisy…

…and how we ALL do it.

 “Apocalypse Now,” in gif form, you question?

Have I gone off the deep end?

Well, maybe not.

Let’s head back to “old timey” Scripture now.

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

The Elements of Pharisaical Virtue Signaling…

First, this is a lesson in trusting our own flawed ability and tricky hearts…

“He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt.”

Verse 9

This can cut straight to the Pharisee heart in all of us. You know, it’s the thought that asserts, “I’m a good person.”

Yet, we put so much emphasis on that image, discounting this reality…

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?”

Jeremiah 17:9

Is our wicked heart telling us that we are “good people?”

This is not to trash us. It is to point out that our perception of our own goodness, our own righteousness, our own “virtue signaling,” may not be as good as we think it is.

It’s imperfect, at best.

We all fall short of His Glory (Romans 3:23).

Yahshua starts His Parable on this Spiritual Truth, Pharisee, or no Pharisee.

Next, we have two very different people from two very different walks of life…

“Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.”

Verse 10

Enter our main characters in this scene.

The Pharisee was regarded as the Holy Man, the important Priest, in charge of all responsibilities and Temple affairs. He was learned, well-versed in The Torah, able to quote a Scripture for any situation.

(Already, those of us who sling Scripture around, like yours truly, should take the point of caution here: GULP!)

The other guy? The tax collector?

Well, he was regarded, probably as “the scum of the earth,” shifty, money-grubbing, untrustworthy, and certainly NOT Holy!

How dare he come towards anything Holy! How dare he enter The Temple, right?

The scene it set.

And from that scene, we hear the first proclamation from one, long before the crowing on social media…

“The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘(YAH) God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, 

or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’”

(Verses 11-12)

(Hang on, let me get one of my favorite eye-roll gifs)…

Okay. All set.

Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, all of us need to become aware of EXACTLY how RIGHTEOUS, VIRTUOUS, AND WORTHY This Man of The Most High IS!!!!

Everyone, within his earshot, must recognize it. We must all be dazzled.

But, more than this, he must puff himself up.

Why must he?

Is this a case of, to borrow and paraphrase from Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” a bit…

“The Pharisee doth proclaim (and protest) too much, methinks.”

Could it POSSIBLY BE that our Pharisee, Our Holy of Holy Guy, is feeling just a bit…INSECURE?

What is the expression?

“There is nothing more dangerous than an insecure leader.”

Gulp, again, you and me. HARD SWALLOW.

Is that what we have in our own individual wicked and deceitful hearts and hands?

Selah. Pause and think about THAT.

Okay, so, Holy Guy is popping off. We cannot help but hear him. There are no spiritual earplugs to drown out his self-righteous voice.

What about our other fellow?

Now, we hear from him…

“But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, 

but beat his breast, saying, ‘(YAH) God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’”

Verse 13

That’s quite a contrast, isn’t It?

Maybe, it has been from a lifetime of believing the negative press attached to his tax collector identity. Maybe he has been repeatedly bullied, belittled, had rotten tomatoes thrown at him, because he deals with “collecting money.”

Maybe this has all gotten to him.

Maybe his conscience is screaming at him.

Maybe he just freshly, and, in a big way, sinned.

And he feels wretched about it.

His response certainly comes across as wretched, doesn’t it?

It is here where we can have a little perspective from the famous Psalmist, David…

“My sacrifice, O (YAH) God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, (YAH) God, will not despise.”

Psalm 51:17

“(Elohim) The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Psalm 34:18

Thanks, David.

This broken heart and broken spirit situation are what it’s all about.

Not an impressive Holy resume. Not Virtue Signaling of all kinds of “good deeds.”

The broken heart. The broken spirit.

When WAS the last time you and I truly HAD one of these?

Self-reflection.

Selah.

This all leads us to the finale of Yahshua’s parable.

Finally, THE POINT…

“I tell you; this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other.

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Verse 14

Exaltation and Humility.

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Proverbs 16:18

This seems like a great place to again, reiterate “Apocalypse Now…”

No “good deeds” can save us.

In fact, they are called “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6).

We cannot “out-do” The Salvation work of Yahshua, accomplished long before there was ever such a phrase as “virtue signaling.”

The puffed-up Pharisee confidence has been around for a long time.

It’s sin. One of the sins we desperately needed Yahshua to die for.

So, as you and I squirm, what can we do?

We can pray. Let’s do so.

 

ABBA-

I come to You, receiving and thanking You For Yahshua, My Savior; In His Name, and by His Blood, I come to You now.

You know that I am a hypocrite. You know my every sin.

Forgive me and help me.

I have tried to do things on my own, by my own strength, often exhibiting pride, in the process.

That is sin.

It’s a filthy rag.

I need You to help me.

Guide me and help me to be truly repentant, truly honest about who I am.

You see me clearly; I cannot hide myself from You.

Help me to live my life, broken heart, broken spirit, and all, for You, loving and glorifying You, for the rest of my life.

I cannot do this on my own. I need You.

Thank You for hearing my prayer.

Thank You for helping me.

I receive it all, in The Name of Yahshua.

Amen.

 

Copyright © 2026 by Sheryle Cruse