Part 1
Most counsel from Christian leaders concerning "how to live and please God" is not inspired by the Spirit of Truth, it's inspired by sinful human nature under the law. It's the Old Covenant all over again, deceptively disguised as grace. (2 Corinthians 11:14-15)
For example: Have you read "A Purpose Driven Life?" The book's core premise is straight forward, and consistent with every message I've heard Rick Warren the author teach, which is: Experiencing a purpose-driven life depends on you. (The lie is both unintentional and insidious.)
In contrast to Rick and Christian/Catholic orthodoxy in general, the cross of Christ reveals that a purpose-driven life depends entirely on God; you play no causal role, and upon hearing this from God, faith comes from God. God's active work in your heart and life plays out according to His love, His wisdom, His will, His power, and His timing, not your obedience. It's incredibly telling that Rick Warren, in teaching the exact opposite of the gospel, has the biggest selling "Christian" book in history. (Human nature appeals to human nature.) He might as well have titled the book "The Man Who Does These Things Will Live By Them." (Or Self-righteousness for Dummies.)
Preachers like Rick, Steven Furtick, John MacArthur, Francis Chan, Joel Osteen, Mike Winger, and Paul Washer (to name but a few) are undoubtedly sincere people with good intentions, but they all preach the law for righteousness in the name of grace.
Of course it's not just these men. Almost every Christian book or sermon is some version of How to...
Grow in faith.
Walk in love.
Overcome fear/anxiety.
Receive God's blessings.
Discover God's will and plan for your life.
Get out of debt.
Repair your marriage.
Overcome betrayal.
Find a partner.
Be free from addiction/besetting sins.
Stop watching porn.
Live a godly life, etc.
The list is endless, and "the law for righteousness" informs them all.
Today's self-righteous Christian/Catholic voices persuade us to believe the degree of God we experience, and success we have in our lives depends on us. So long as you do (or don't do) x, God will do y. You're the cause; God's blessing, favor, leading, answer to prayer, etc., are the effect. Their message is no different than the one found in self-help and New Age books sold everywere. It's all "the law for righteousness," and the lie we (understandably) hold onto to survive, as it sabotages our every "good intention." (Romans 7:25)
(I lived this way, unknowingly, for 40 years. How long has it been for you?)