This week’s Truth Speakers for Truth Seekers column is the sequel or part 2 of the path of righteousness that was published last week.
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If you tuned into last week’s episode of righteousness (Part 1 published in Jan. 18 issue) and walked that path of righteousness, you will enjoy this one. Even if you did not do that, this will hopefully help you start walking that path or go further. It is a choice though to stay in the path of self righteousness or switch to the path of righteousness.
A characteristic of a righteous person is self confidence. Basically, self-confidence refers to a healthy belief in one’s abilities and judgment, improving an individual’s ability to navigate challenges. A self-confident individual is not threatened by the wisdom and intelligence of others, they relish the opportunity to draw upon the resources of others, remaining open to feedback and differing perspectives.
But there is more. The first step to change our path of self righteousness is to change our thought patterns.
According to scripture we can do it this way:
1. Not being conformed to the ways of this world. Meaning, the person criticizes everything and everyone including themselves but instead they change their thought patterns to how God sees things. Romans 12:2: "Do not conform to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God".
2. Test if something is the result of criticism or the result of positive critical thinking (This last one comes from researching the subject we heard about, tend to criticize but before we go that route, we choose to find out different aspects and views of the issue at hand. 1 Thessalonians 5:21: "But test everything; hold fast what is good".
3. If a positive thought, we still test it but possibly embrace it. If a negative thought, we reject it or look deeper of why it is negative. 2 Corinthians 10:5: "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ".
4. We choose to think on the following: Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things".
These verses emphasise using wisdom to evaluate teachings, focusing thoughts on godly principles, and transforming one's mind to understand God's will, rather than passively accepting everything.
If you have come this far, you are well on your way in the path of righteousness and likely having an enjoyable walk.
Let’s go even further. There is so much more in this beautiful path. Righteous people are often grateful people as well IF their motive for wanting to be righteous is not out of fear they might displease someone or upset some unknown unseen being. But they carry an attitude of being thankful no matter what, for people, life, things and even negative circumstances.
I remember taking care of a man dying of cancer. But his speech was full of gratitude till his last breath. I also recall sitting with people talking about a negative situation, venting their frustrations nonstop for hours on end. Was the situation bad? Yes! And seemed to be getting worse. There was a possibility I could face the same soon after.
I choose to be quiet and not say a word to where people thought I was tired. I let them vent for awhile but then stopped it when I prayed for the situation in an authoritative positive way and declaration to change their situation. I believe it will. Like Jesus said often: “Father I thank You that you ALWAYS hear me!" He always started with thanksgiving and the assurance His Father heard Him.
He hears us too. That is IF we pray IN faith and not doubt and IF we pray speaking the positive outcome. Just praying isn’t going to do the job. Hypocrites also pray. It’s not the prayer itself; it is how we pray or say and our motives (wanting to be seen by man or praying in secret to a God who we know answers prayer. My God is a prayer answering God! If you worship a different one, does that one hears you and answers your prayers?)
Two final thoughts from the Word of God
FIRST THOUGHT FOR YOU TO DWELL ON THIS WEEK: WHO YOU SURROUND YOURSELF WITH BECAUSE IF WITH THE WRONG PEOPLE, YOUR PATH IS LIKELY NOT VERY RIGHTEOUS.
The Tree of Life- Psalm 1
1- What delight comes to the one who follows God’s ways! He won’t walk in step with the wicked, nor share the sinner’s way, nor be found sitting in the scorner’s seat.
2- His passion is to remain true to the Word of “I AM,” meditating day and night on the true revelation of light.
3- He will be standing firm like a flourishing tree.
THE SECOND THOUGHT TO TAKE AWAY IS: “WHO IS YOUR SHEPHERD. AND WHERE IS HE TAKING YOU?
Psalms 23- The Good Shepherd
David’s poetic praise to God
1- Yahweh is my best friend and my shepherd. I always have more than enough.
2- He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace near the quiet brook of bliss.
3- That’s where he restores and revives my life. He opens before me the right path and leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness so that I can bring honor to his name.
4- Even when your path takes me through the valley of deepest darkness, fear will never conquer me, for you already have! Your authority is my strength and my peace. The comfort of your love takes away my fear. I’ll never be lonely, for you are near.
5- You become my delicious feast even when my enemies dare to fight. You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit; you give me all I can drink of you until my cup overflows.
6- So why would I fear the future? Only goodness and tender love pursue me all the days of my life. Then afterward, when my life is through, I’ll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you!
This week continue the path of righteousness or start walking on it. Remember the enemies of that path are: 1- being unthankful; 2- being critical; and 3- saying and doing and being the same as the rest of the world.
Let’s go! Walk confidently, thankful and with a mind that thinks Godly righteous thoughts!
Blessings
Akhrienuo