To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable:

Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people - robbers, evildoers, adulterers - or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'

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. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

In Luke, chapter 11, we learn about two men who went to the temple to pray. These two men stand in sharp contrast to one another. One thought that he was worthy of the blessings of God; the other depended solely on the grace of God. One recognized only the sins of others; the other realized that he, himself, was a sinner. One looked down on others; the other just looked to his merciful God for forgiveness. One was an accuser of others; the other accused only himself. One could do no wrong; the other relied on the mercy of a Holy God because of all the wrongs that he had done. One man boasted; the other man repented. One was full of pride; the other was humble. One craved recognition; the other craved forgiveness. One wanted to be noted and exalted by his fellow man; the other just wanted to receive what only God could offer - forgiveness.