Self-righteousness not only leads men to misrepresent God, but makes them coldhearted and critical toward their brethren. The elder son, in his selfishness and jealousy, stood ready to watch his brother, to criticize every action, and to accuse him for the least deficiency. He would detect every mistake, and make the most of every wrong act. Thus he would seek to justify his own unforgiving spirit. Many today are doing the same thing. While the soul is making its very first struggles against a flood of temptations, they stand by, stubborn, self-willed, complaining, accusing. They may claim to be children of God, but they are acting out the spirit of Satan. By their attitude toward their brethren, these accusers place themselves where God cannot give them the light of His countenance.

Egenretfærdighed leder ikke alene mennesker til at give en fejlagtig fremstilling af Gud, men det gør dem kolde og kritiske over for deres brødre. Den ældste søn var i sin egenkærlighed og misundelse rede til at give agt på sin broder for at kunne kritisere alt, hvad han gjorde, og anklage ham for den mindste brist. Han lagde mærke til hver fejltagelse og fremhævede enhver forkert handling. På denne måde søgte han at retfærdiggøre sit eget utilgivende sindelag. Der er mange i dag, som gør det samme. Medens mennesker tager det første skridt i kampen mod fristelsernes rivende strømme, står de der hårde og egenrådige, og kritiserer og anklager De giver sig ud for at være Guds børn, men de udviser Satans ånd. På grund af disse anklageres indstilling over for deres brødre, står de der hvor Gud ikke kan lade sit ansigt lyse over dem.