Is it wrong to call yourself or anyone else....a good person?

From a biblical perspective, of course.


We've all heard it before. People will call themselves good. Or say that someone else is a good person for whatever reason(s).


But according to the Bible, is it really right to say that about....anyone? These verses come to mind.


Romans 3:10-12 King James Version (KJV)

10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.


Psalm 14:1-3 King James Version (KJV)

14 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

2 The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.


Psalm 53:1-3 King James Version (KJV)

53 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.

3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.


Mark 10:17-19 King James Version (KJV)

17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.


Luke 18:19 King James Version (KJV)

19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.


So I personally get the impression that the Bible says NO ONE is a good person. There's no such thing. Only God is good.


So we shouldn't call ourselves or anyone else good. Agree or disagree?

I wouldn’t call myself good......only God in my spirit is good....when I am kind or nice to a person...it’s not me...it’s the Lord.....being nice through me...I call it the surrendering of my will to that of the Lord......that’s my belief..

I have called a lot of people good. Yes, I do know what scripture says on that topic. I don't believe that there is scripture that explicitly forbids calling someone good but I could be wrong.

This verse seems to leave open the possibility that there might actually be a good person somewhere, however, based on a single verse I would not then conclude that there is actually good people according to scripture.

Romans 5:7
It is rare indeed for anyone to die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.

I think there is a difference between calling someone a "good" person because they committed a good deed or did a good thing, and calling someone inherently good in the context of the full embodiment of their soul. It is possible for people to DO good, it is impossible for them to BE fully good. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are all "His workmanship, created in Christ FOR good works." We are told that we should walk in them. So, is it possible for us to do good things? Yes, it is, but only with God's help. So, is it okay to tell someone they did a good job or they did a good thing? 100%. We just need to be careful about seeing people as inherently good, because that isn't the reality of the Scriptures and what Christ taught us.

Hey, thanks for posting this!! I'm so glad I have a conversation I can participate in instead of doing nothing at home. I believe that when we call someone good, we rarely use God's standard for calling someone good. Now, from a biblical perspective, no one is a good person inherently. But when we say we are good people we usually refer to the standards that are put together by the masses or everyday people. Now are we good people? No and the law that we use to state that is the only law that matters, God's law. I am surrounded by people who are constantly encouraged by social media and other mainstream devices that they are good people. And until we recognized the depravity in which we have left ourselves by rejecting God, and the inherent sin we are all born in, we cannot address the correct issue and becoming truly better as people.

It is a subjective and relative thing. The main point to remember is that no one is good enough to merit Salvation on their own. We all need to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus to get into the Kingdom.

Romans 3
3:22 Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
3:25 Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

In the beginning when God created everything He called it good. Adam and Eve were inherently good, at first, until they sinned. Sin made Adam and Eve bad and it makes everyone else bad who sins, too.

Christians aren't referred to as sinners in the Bible. Yes they have sinned before and probably will again, but they're called saints and it says we are forgiven, under grace, and are loved. Christians are still capable of sinning and will most likely do it occasionally, but vicariously through Jesus Christ Christians have been perfected for all time in the sight of God through faith in Jesus's single offering. Hebrews 10:14.

So in my view I would say we can call Christians good with the requirement that we give glory to Jesus the Christ for everything he did to make being good possible.

Regarding the question posed by the Title of the OP:

No, I do not believe there is anything wrong with calling someone good, or even oneself........after all, we are told to strive to be Christ like, and, surely, Christ is GOOD.......

The world looks at the external, so they judge according to what a person presents to them. But God looks into our soul, so that's why He can say that none of us are good.

God said that our best works are as filthy rags in His sight, so He is the only One who can take credit for any good deeds we do.

It's all about our motive, the world does good works to receive praise so their motivation is selfishness. The believer does good works in order to obey God, but those good works are not ours. So Jesus is right in saying that only God is good.

MATT. 5:16.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
PS. 37:23.
The steps of a good man are ordered by The LORD: and He delights in his way.
27.
Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
112:5.
A good man shows favour, and lends: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
25:4.
Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.
1PETER 4:10.
As every man has received the gift, even so minister the same one to another,
as good stewards of the manifold Grace of God.

We should not call ourselves good when we are in the world.

For to be good is not doing good but also doing evil as they will do in the world.

But good is being good all the time which the world cannot do so they should not call themselves good, which some say I am a good person so I will go to heaven, but to them they feel justified for they are not doing serious sins, and offending people.

But they are not right with God for a little leaven leavens the whole bunch, and all sin is unrighteousness, and if you offend in the least of the law you offend in all.

If we are with God led by the Spirit we can say we are good but we give the glory to God for us being good.

We cannot claim to be good but we give the glory to God for why we are doing good abstaining from sin by the Spirit.

But we still have the capability to sin if we want to sin, but a Spirit led life will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh, for they have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

So if we sin there is no excuse, but being in the flesh many people who claim Christ will sin some more than others, but all sin can be forgiven.

But there is still no excuse for we have the same power available to us as the man Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit.

Mar 10:17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
Mar 10:18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

Jesus is sinless so He is good all the time, but the man Christ Jesus said why call me good, for there is only one good and that is God, for the man Christ Jesus was giving glory to God that He was good because God caused Him to be good.

A person knows if they have sin in their life or not, and if you are led of the Spirit which you will know it then you would be good but glory to God for it is not by your own power.

But if you have sin in your life, and you will know it do not claim that you are good for you would be led of the flesh.

Because there is too many people that claim Christ that want to believe they are alright while living like the world that can never abstain from sins.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

1Pe 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

holy
hagios
hag'-ee-os
From ἅγος hagos (an awful thing) compare G53, [H2282]; sacred (physically pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially consecrated): - (most) holy (one, thing), saint.

God said be holy as He is holy, not have shortcomings and then act as if you are alright.

2Ti 3:4 lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Some people who claim Christ do not allow the Spirit to lead them, and they are ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, for they hold unto sin, and led of the flesh, and believe they have salvation.

So we cannot claim to be good but give God the glory for why we do good, and there is no excuse why a person cannot abstain from sins for a Spirit led life will not sin.

But it is highly unlikely that a person will abstain from sins after they are saved, but all sin can be forgiven, and there is no excuse but we wanted to sin when we could of not wanted to sin.

But some people will want to make an excuse that they cannot abstain from sins so they can enjoy sins, and believe they still have salvation.

Isa 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Heb 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

Sins separate us from God whether we claim Christ or not, and people that hold unto sin the blood of Jesus cannot wash it away.

Valid 'good' point.

"Good' scripture references.

I see nothing wrong with calling people "good" - as long as one means that true goodness comes only through having Jesus in one's life. That's why we can afford to call ourselves "righteous" and "holy" - if we know it is God working in us that produces any goodness in us. And that the term also means that God counts us as righteous, in spite of our failures to have the perfect holiness that God has.
Lev 20:7

7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.
KJV

Ps 5:12

12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
KJV

Rom 3:10

10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
KJV

Rom 5:19

19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
KJV

it's really about 'context' here -
when The Holy Spirit descends upon a 'called-elect-chosen', he IS Righteous at that point,
but, he still has a 'life-time' of OVER-COMING, whether he be Abraham, David, or John...

I think we should only call Jesus and God good. Because we are all sinners, in nature and intentions.