There’s a fine line between telling people what they need to hear and what they want to hear.

A pastor or teacher can stand before a congregation, speak truth, and receive enthusiastic agreement. The room erupts with “Amens” and “Praise Jesus.” People feel affirmed in their faith and convictions. But without careful discernment, these speakers may be feeding self-righteousness rather than cultivating genuine righteousness.

What believers truly need is teaching that shapes them into Christ’s image and not messages that merely validate their existing views. The challenge is that this kind of leadership is messy. It rarely earns applause and often makes people uncomfortable.

As a church leader, I want my congregation to love their community of faith. But I also want to challenge them toward Christlikeness rather than simply affirm what they already believe.

Distinguishing between true righteousness and self-righteousness isn’t always easy.