LIVING CONTRARY TO RIGHTEOUSNESS
- CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD
- Aug 10
- 10 min read
Updated: Sep 22
WHAT IS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOW DO WE LIVE CONTRARY TO RIGHTEOUSNESS?
I am happy to share a few encouraging words with you on the issue of not living righteously.
What is the meaning of righteousness? Righteousness is doing and living right based on biblical principles as set by our Saviour Jesus Christ. When an individual is not following the teachings and example of Jesus that person is living contrary to God.
What is the meaning of contrary? When an action or a deed is contrary it means that such is opposing, contradictory, conflicting and different. Contrariness in a negative sense is sin. What is sin? 1 John 3:4 - Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. The Law spoken of is the Ten Commandments. 1 John 5:17 -states plainly All unrighteousness is sin.
Today many do not want to hear about sin; such messages are often unwelcome. The devil does not appreciate when one preaches against sin and so those who live and teach godliness will not be able to carry out their mission without obstacles. The attack maybe internally or externally. By this the devil hopes to prevent the preaching of sin and so congregations will have a form of godliness but do not exhibit the power and truth of God. We must study God’s words so that we will be able to withstand the tricks of the devil.
Proverbs 4:14-27- Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
These verses show us clearly the differences between righteousness and contrariness. A wicked person is anyone who is not abiding in the will of God. People often classify the wicked as one who commits murder or worship the devil. However, such individuals are only a part of the group. The wicked includes all who: knows the truth and refuses to obey it. The wicked is a liar, is lazy, bias, covetous, backbites, steals, sows discord, has unmarried sexual relationships or is an unfaithful marriage partner. The types of sins which humans commit are too numerous to mention thus in short one who lives contrary to righteousness is anyone who is unwilling to submit himself/herself to God. Such persons are labelled wicked persons. Wicked persons are not wise because such persons lack godly wisdom and refuse to acknowledge and to submit to the supremacy of God.
What is expected from a doer of righteousness? Children of God ought to be kind, caring, compassionate, wise and merciful. The Kingdom of God is their goal; it is impossible to enter into it with a spotted spiritual garment; therefore, they must keep their garments holy. Godliness dictates that we love everyone and pray for the saving of their soul. However, that friendship does not give us the leeway to become engaged in the wickedness of others. Therefore, we are advised to avoid close relationship with the wicked.
God gives His people peace. While the righteous person can rest peacefully the wicked is like a troubled sea. The thoughts of the wicked are unsettled and they are always distrustful of others.
A righteous person is contented with what God provides.
Proverbs 23:2 tells us to put a knife to our throat if we are gluttonous. This verse also means that one should not be quick to partake in the wealth of the wicked. Many persons are guilty of this crime because even those who claim to be Children of God love to receive gifts from those who amass their wealth unfairly. As a matter of fact, some rely on the gifts of the wicked. Prov.15:29a tells us that God is far from the wicked. The Lord is far from the wicked because the wicked does not seek God and are not willing to learn His wisdom.
Prov.15:14b says the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness and Prov. 12:15a says, the way of a fool is right in his own eyes. It is impossible for those who walk contrary to righteousness to exalt God. They are often not open to correction and are deceived into believing that they are good and perfect. However, we must be reminded that only with God can we be made perfect. On the opposite end, obedient followers of Christ know that they cannot live righteously without Christ and that they are being perfected today for eternal life tomorrow.
Many persons rush after ill-gotten wealth or engage in activities which produce great wealth but Proverbs 13:11a tells us that such wealth will diminish. Moreover, those who amass such wealth often die early and do not get to enjoy it. Therefore, one should heed Jesus’ word when He told us that we should not seek to obtain earthly treasures but we should seek heavenly treasures.
Keep in mind Proverbs 27:20, ‘hell and destruction are never full so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
Another action which is contrary to righteousness is sexual perversions. Presently sexual promiscuity is rife. Many refuse to heed the words of Proverbs 6: 25-29 & 32. which reads,
Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. 26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
27 Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
29 So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
32 But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
God created male and female and made us as sexual beings thus we ought to be attracted sexually to the opposite sex. This does not mean that one should abuse this wonderful opportunity. God desires us to keep our bodies pure by abstaining from sexual sins and all other sins. One takes fire into his or her clothes especially when one is unfaithful to their married spouse. God honours marriage which is done according to His principles. There is no such thing as stealing love on the sly but there are labels such as cheaters, adulterers and adulteresses. One should never break up the marriage of others. Everyone who does such will receive God’s wrath unless sincere repentance is done. When one engages in adultery that individual sins greatly against God. It may seem good but the destruction is coming at the final day.
Proverbs 6:17-19 tells us about the six things that God hates. These are:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
Every sin is hinged on these actions for example the evil thoughts are first conceived and cherished in the heart before put into action.
Proverbs 28:21 tells us to have respect of persons is not good: for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
This is not saying that we ought to be disrespectful to each other; instead we are being encouraged to be fair in judgement regardless of the status of those in question. Never compromise or take a bribe to pervert justice.
Proverbs 29:22 -23 say, An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression. A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
Prov. 27:3-4 -A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both. Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?
Anyone who easily gets angry is often biased in judgement. In addition, a demonstration of foolish pride is a sign of unrighteousness. Yet verse 4 says that above the sin of wrath, anger and pride is the sin of envy. Envy is synonymous to covetousness and greed; it is the root cause of all sinful actions. Lucifer festered it in his heart and tried to displace Jehovah. He was driven out of the Third Heaven and now he is Satan, the ruler of darkness and archenemy of good.
False pride makes one boastful and selfish. Proverbs 27:1-2, Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
Whenever some persons speak there is rarely any good that proceed from their mouths. It is best to avoid such persons and not get into any conversation with them. How does the tongue negatively affect others? Proverbs 26:28, A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. This is telling us that where there is love there is no lying; lying goes hand in hand with hate. Proverbs 10:11 & 18 tells us the mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
On the aspect of family responsibilities, it is unacceptable for those who are not fulfilling their family responsibilities to claim to be Saints of God. They could learn many lessons from Proverbs 15:19, 6:6-11 which says, the way of the slothful man is as a hedge of thorns. Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
When one is walking contrary to righteousness that individual exhibits a spirit and a power which is not of God. That is why today we have so many false prophets demonstrating a false power. 1st John 4:1 tells us to try the spirit and see if it comes from God. Isaiah 8: 20, tells us that if those who claim the spirit of God is not speaking to the law and the testimony there is no truth in them. A false spirit will find room in one who is unrighteous. 1st Samuel 16:14, 21-23 tells us about King Saul. It reads, ‘But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him. And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
Apostle Paul encouraged the Church at Corinth to abstain from any acts of unrighteousness. 1st Cor. 5:11 - But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
As we look around us, we will observe spiritual chaos as persons try to modernise salvation. There is a sense of righteousness and demonstration of powers which does not come from God. Many are not studying the Bible so they are unaware of the principles and teachings of righteousness. Moreover, there is too much emphasis on spiritual demonstrations and gimmicks and less on following biblical teachings. This results in persons Living Contrary To Righteousness.
Those who have met Christ ought to show that they are walking in the light. Let us remember that we ought to keep our garments pure. Keep away from sin. Remember that only those who submit themselves to God will inherit eternal life.
What is Christ’ instruction to His followers?
Luke 6:45-46 - A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil; for of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
And why call ye Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Writer - A. E. Fisher
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