Proverbs 14:34 KJV
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
Prov.14.34 – Uprightness and right standing with God (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) elevate a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. [AMP]
What is righteousness?
This is a state of uprightness, staying clear off sin and anything that God doesn’t like.
Who is a righteous man?
A righteous man is a person whose ways pleases the Lord. This is someone who morally and spiritually is found guiltless. To be upright means you really fear God, because only a person who fears God will consciously avoid sin in order to please God.
John 14:15 KJV
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
To live in righteousness is an act that should be deliberately cultivated as the devil does not want anyone to live a righteous life. You need the word of God in your heart and also in your mouth to get this achieved. Psalm 119:11 KJV
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Romans 10:8 KJV
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Advantages of living a righteous life
1. God is pleased with you. Job 1:8
Because God is pure and hates to behold sin, living a life that is void of sin brings so much delight to his heart. Remember this is what he wanted right from the beginning that made him send Jesus Christ to reconcile all men back to him. When you live in righteousness, you make God interested in your case, anything that concerns you concerns him too, he begins to guide you and ensure things work in your favour.
2. You are free from guilt.
Sin breeds guilt, but when you stay away from it, you free yourself from the burden of guilt. Sin makes a person live in regrets and had I known, but this can be avoided when a life of righteousness is maintained.
3. Your enemies will be at peace with you
Proverbs 16:7 KJV
When a man’s ways please the Lord , he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Living in righteousness makes God step into all that concerns you, the battle becomes the lord’s and not yours. Your enemies may come in many ways but they will be defeated because God is on your side, and if they constantly face defeat, they will have no choice than to accept that you serve a living God.
Zechariah 8:23 KJV
Thus saith the Lord of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass , that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.
Living in righteousness is a sure way to God’s heart, though the devil will come for you in many ways, but God will always be there to shield you. Your utmost goal should be pleasing the Lord, the moment you no longer care about pleasing God then you need to check yourself.
