Proverbs 14:12, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." One of Satan's most subtle and damning deceptions is "moralism"—the idea that man, by his own supposed goodness, can commend himself to God. Moralism substitutes external reform, for internal regeneration. It preaches behavior change, apart from the new birth. It is content with polished external conduct, while the heart remains unwashed. And it is leading multitudes to Hell! Moralism often dresses itself in religious acts. It promotes virtue, and applauds kindness. It speaks of honesty, and decency. But its fatal flaw is this: It offers these things apart from Christ. It seeks to be right with God, without the righteousness of God. It promotes "virtue" without the power of the Holy Spirit. It promotes morality—but despises the Savior. The Pharisees of old were moral men. They fasted, prayed, and gave alms. Yet Jesus said to them, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs...outwardly you appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness!" (Matthew 23:27-28). Moralism is deadly because it convinces the sinner that he needs no Savior. It flatters human pride. It whispers, "You are not that bad! God will surely accept you—look at all your good deeds." It blinds the heart to man's true condition: "dead in trespasses and sins," utterly depraved, and without hope apart from the saving grace of God. No amount of morality can change the leper's spots, or cleanse the defiled soul. What then is the remedy? It is not to be better, but to be born again. It is not to do more, but to despair of do