In Ecclesiastes, chapter seven, verse sixteen, “Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?” The verse is in the light of Proverbs three, verse seven, “Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” Those who depend upon their own good deeds for salvation and those who imagine themselves to be wise will only destroy themselves. We need true righteousness from God to regenerate our hearts and true wisdom from the Holy Spirit to understand God’s Word.
The theme verse is a warning to all, especially believers today. Some people serve God because they love Him and desire to seek and obtain the spiritual gifts that He has in store for those who are obedient and intend to do God’s will and abide by His holy Word. However, some start on the righteous path upon receiving salvation, but then do not continue on it, instead steering themselves into self-righteousness and pursuing things according to their own will.
In Acts five, verses one through nine, give an example of doing things that are self-motivated and not ordained by God. “But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? While it remained, was it not thine own? And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.”
Both Ananias and his wife later paid the price.