More Holy than Thou?

[beholdapalehorse]

So hey im new to the forum and im a Christian,
I hope that some of you can relate to this: I am tired of christians that have this attitude that they are more holy than you so they are "better" than you. These are typical (but not always) the same who have had it easy in life or think God has told them to do everything that they have ever done. They act as if their closeness to God has given some societal eliteness and they carry themselves like some persnickety elite that "has no time for you". These are also the Christians that are often overly judgmental when they are at most times in violation of the very rules they are suppose to follow. So, how do the rest of us Christians handle them?

 

[fahrenheit]

People that have that mentality would probably not listen to you if you were trying to persuade them otherwise. Though you could hit them with a few choice bible verses: Romans 3:23, Ephesians 2:8, but I think the more important thing would be to teach non believers (or believers that are unsure about how to act) that acting arrogant or thinking you are greater than anyone is anything but godly behavior.

Matthew 23:11 "The greatest among you will be your servant."

John 13: 12-15 "12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you"

It's written constantly throughout Proverbs about the dangers of arrogance, and that God hates when we are boastful and such. Sadly it is our human nature to sin and to be prideful, remember to be patient with these people and to try your best to not let their arrogance spread to other believers or that they turn other people away from the faith.

 

[wordmagnifiedabovenames]

^ This. That said, holiness is something to be aspired to; "be holy as I am holy" etc. I believe that it's not a question of an individual's holiness compared to that of another person; it's an individual's holiness compared to what that individual could be. Eg the woman who gave 2 copper coins compared to the man who gave a pile of treasure. She gave 100% of what she had, by comparison he was giving his spare change. The woman's offering was more pleasing to God. The same goes for running in such a way as to win the race (you're not competing against other people; you're competing against yourself.)
I'd also point out that the Bible says that David was "better" than Saul because he loved God.