Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
We must learn how to live righteously in troubled times. Unfortunately, we live in a world overshadowed by darkness. We are trying to live by common sense rather than by faith. Is it even possible to live righteously in a lawless world? More than two thousand years ago, the Bible described living in the last days. The Amplified Bible says it this way:
“But understand this, that in the last days, dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them.”
These Scripture verses warn the world of approaching evil and prepare this generation for the darkness and immorality that has already spread. Although we live in dangerous times, it is possible to live righteously in these troubled times. The Holy Spirit wants us to know that God has given us the grace to live righteously in these evil days.
What Does it Mean to Live Upright?
To live righteously is to conduct yourself honorably. Righteous living begins with renewing your mind. It means demonstrating excellent moral standards that mirror your relationship with the Lord. It means doing the right thing, even when nobody is watching. For instance, it could be as simple as returning the extra change a cashier mistakenly gave you, or speaking up for someone who is being unfairly treated.
My wife hates it when I wash my hands in the kitchen sink. I habitually go to the kitchen sink to wash my hands whenever I work outside. I know it bothers her when I do this, so I try to make it a point to do the right thing. One day, I was outside, edging the lawn. The sun was beaming hot, and I was thirsty, so I went inside to get something cold to drink.
My wife had gone grocery shopping, and I was home alone. I usually wash my hands before opening the refrigerator door, but this time, I thought, “What would it matter? No one is going to know.” As I was about to open the refrigerator door, I heard a voice within say, “Wash your hands.” I knew it was right, so I went over to the kitchen sink to wash my hands.
The Holy Spirit Helps Us to Live Godly
Because we are so busy, we sometimes take shortcuts to save time. But taking shortcuts will only cause you to stray off course. Scientists say many people get lost in the woods because they walk in circles. That’s because most people have one leg that is longer or shorter than the other. Over time, these differences amount to a curving course, causing the lost person to walk in circles. To avoid this, hikers carry a compass to ensure they travel in the right direction. In the same way, we need a compass to help us stay on the path of righteousness. The Holy Spirit is the compass that allows believers to remain on the road to godliness.
Do you sometimes feel like you have strayed off course? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you. He alone can help you live righteously in troubled times. Jesus called Him the Helper. He said, “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:26). These are indeed troubling times. The world might be in trouble, but don’t let the problems in the world get inside you. Greater is the One in us than the one who wants to harm us.
Guard Your Heart
“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”
Proverbs 4:23 NKJV
The New Living Translation says it this way:
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
Proverbs 4:23 NLT
Have you ever wondered how a big, bulky ship can stay afloat in the water? It’s because the water is on the outside of the vessel. The boat will stay afloat if the water does not enter the hull. You’ve got to be like a ship in the water. Don’t let the world’s troubles get into your heart. A good way to do that is to run away from evil.
The Scripture said to keep your heart pure above all else. Don’t let negative people shape your character. When people criticize you, hold your head up and float through the criticism. Don’t allow their negative words to get inside your heart. When people hurt you, resist the urge to become bitter. If you plant bitter seeds in your heart, you will harvest bitterness. The kind of seeds you plant in your heart will determine the course of your life.
The Gift of Righteousness
The Bible says we are made righteous by our faith in Jesus Christ, not by our works. Are you working or believing? Scripture does not say Abraham obeyed God or worshiped God to become righteous. It says Abraham believed God, and God declared him righteous (Romans 4:3). The turning point for Abraham was when he entered into what God was doing for him, not what he did for God.
Are you trying to become righteous by your efforts? Why don’t you stop trying to be virtuous and start believing you are? The Scripture says, “He made Him who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Now stop listening to the voice of the enemy and start believing what God says about you.
I pray that the Lord will give you the grace you need to live righteously and be an overcomer in these troubled times. May the Lord make you increase and abound in love so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness and so that you may live righteously before the Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Similar to Abraham, it is our firm belief in God that makes us righteous. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Powerful reminder. Thank you.
Amen.