It Starts with a Conversation
Lets Talk About… Being Righteous (Not Just Right)
First, Seek Him...
Let’s be honest: being “right” is way more interesting than being “righteous.” But when we become Christ followers, we give up our “rights” for His “righteousness.” The question is – are we living this way? Let this conversation help you Seek Him about what’s most important to you.
...Then Speak Him
How often do families and friends – not to mention, nations! – fall into conflict because everybody thinks they’re “right.” As you consider being righteous not just right in your own life, challenge the next generation about this, too. Have a real conversation; “Speak Him” today!
Listen to the Podcast
Proverbs 22:2-3
“All a person’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs hearts. Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”
Word
God, what are you saying to me?
All of us think we’re right, but God makes the final decision about this. He measures our hearts. We can’t fool Him, no matter how correct we think we are. He really sees us, and He looks for people who are not just “right” but “righteous.” To be “right” often just reflects our own opinions, decisions or what we think is best. To be “righteous” is to reflect God’s character and His Word. What are some things you like to be right about? Do we think more about being “right” or “righteous”? What’s the difference between the two?
Why
God, why does this matter?
We all like to be right, right? However, God would much rather us pursue His righteousness than our own “rightness.” In fact, our “rightness” is not worth much to Him (Proverbs 30:12). God wants us to hunger and thirst for His righteousness (Matthew 5:6); He wants us to pursue His righteousness more than anything else in our lives (Matthew 6:33). To have His righteousness means to reflect His attitudes and actions with our lives. Does His righteousness matter to YOU?
What
God, What Else Does Your Word Say About This?
God says, “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds” (Jeremiah 17:10). Are the “fruit” of our deeds the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23) or the fruit of whatever we personally think is right? Over and over in Scripture, God tells us He looks at our hearts to see what is really true of our lives. What does He see in yours?
Worship
God, How do you want me to respond to this truth?
Being “righteous” isn’t nearly as interesting or popular as being “right,” is it? But God sees and rewards righteousness. King David wrote, “The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me” (Psalm 18:20). And Proverbs says, “The one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward,” (Proverbs 11:18). If we want God’s favor and blessing, then let’s worship Him by being more interested in being “righteous” than “right.” Let’s ask God to help us have His attitude and opinions in our lives. Who wants to pray first?
Proverbs 22:2-3
“All a person’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs hearts. Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”
A Family Blessing
Lord God, “righteousness” is a weird, big word to us. It seems easier to just keep our own opinions and be “right” in our own eyes. But God, we want to be “righteous” in Your eyes. So help us pursue You more than anything and everything else, including being right. In Your Name Jesus, amen!
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