Isaiah 65:5 says, “Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.”
Imagine a Pharisee, someone who carefully follows every detail of the law and believes he is more righteous than others. This Pharisee looks down on anyone he thinks is less holy or pure. He avoids contact with people like the Samaritans, thinking they are beneath him, much like we see in John 4:9 and Luke 18:9. He might even refuse to stand near others when he prays if he believes they don’t measure up to his level of outward holiness.
This kind of attitude is exactly what Isaiah 65:5 is talking about. It reflects a heart full of pride and self-importance, saying, “Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou.” But God finds this attitude disgusting. The Pharisee’s arrogance is like smoke in God’s nose—annoying and bothersome.
On the other hand, the Gospel of Christ teaches us something different. We are not supposed to lift ourselves above others or look down on them. Instead, we should look up to God, understanding that we all share the same sinfulness and need for redemption. The Pharisee’s way of thinking leads to being alone and spiritually blind, while Christ’s way opens up the door to grace and hope.
The lesson for us is simple: we should not fall into the trap of self-righteousness, thinking that our good deeds or religious practices make us better than others. Salvation and redemption don’t come from our own efforts or from having a “holier than thou” attitude. They come from Christ alone.
In Him, we find the true meaning of holiness—not as something that makes us better than others, but as a humble walk with God, recognizing our own flaws and the grace that covers them all.
