Edward Riederich
Elder Brother Syndrome
Luke 15:11-32
To one mentality we can't succumbÂ
That is to the "Elder Brother Syndrome"Â
As a believer we cannot possessÂ
A poor attitude of self righteousnessÂ
Notice the sin of the elder brotherÂ
He thought he was better than anotherÂ
Wanting another's blessings on a shelfÂ
Because he solely focused on himselfÂ
Too confident in his moralityÂ
Yet truly blinded from realityÂ
He said his father kept him from his friendsNow he viewed his life through a wounded lensÂ
The elder brothers will assume their stanceÂ
Elder brothers will not attend the danceÂ
Seeing others struggle they will condemnÂ
When their unhappy life is all about themÂ
He rejected his father's explanationÂ
Clinging to his own interpretationÂ
Self righteousness makes one illogicalÂ
Hardening one's heart to the prodigalÂ
In the church you'll still see a PhariseeÂ
Deluded by their own hypocrisyÂ
No self introspection they will allowÂ
An attitude of "holier than thou"Â
The offended brother could only judgeÂ
He remained outside with his bitter grudgeÂ
His wrong reaction and rebuke were sternÂ
Thinking by the Spirit he did discernÂ
He lived a life of guessing at intentsÂ
As he chose to make friends with his offenceÂ

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