What is the danger of self-righteousness in religious practices?

Self-righteousness poses a significant danger in religious settings as it can create barriers between believers. As demonstrated in the sermon, those who hold onto personal practices or traditions, treating them as essential to righteousness, risk undermining the very foundation of grace. This is evident in Matthew 6:16-18, where acts of fasting or devotion can become polluted when used to gain acknowledgment from others rather than being a humble approach to God. Self-righteousness diverts attention from Christ, the true source of holiness and righteousness, and leads to judgment among peers rather than mutual edification. It's a call to remain vigilant against the tendency to impose personal standards onto the faith journey of others, as each one is called to stand before God based on faith in Christ alone.