Why is Righteousness the Answer

to our Social and Political/Moral Problems?

 

 

People across the world are looking and longing for justice and peace in their lives, but they shall never attain it until they realize it comes through righteousness.

In simple terms, Righteousness is Having Right Standing Before God.

 

  • Everything we do that draws us away from God is called unrighteousness.
  • Everything we do that draws us to God is called righteousness.

 

Anytime this is a form of abuse, unrighteousness prospers.

Every correction from any form of abuse, is righteousness propering.

 

Righteousness is the character quality of God that changes a man on the inside and causes him to do what’s right on the outside, not only for himself, but for everyone in his immediate world and his eternal world.

 

What does righteousness look like?

 

That is simple:

Do you want to others as you would have them do unto you?

 

 

 

Righteousness versus WIn the Bible, what is the opposite of the righteous” or righteousness?ickedness

In the Bible, the terms “evil” and “wicked” or “wickedness” are closely related but have some nuanced differences:

Evil

Evil generally refers to anything that is morally wrong, harmful, or against God’s nature8. It encompasses:

  1. Actions, thoughts, or forces that diminish life8
  2. Moral failure or malicious behavior8
  3. Harm, death, or disease8
  4. Emotional or relational distress8
  5.  

Wickedness

Wickedness is often seen as a more severe or deliberate form of evil:

  1. It implies a rebellious attitude that openly defies God4
  2. Wickedness is associated with a hardened heart and lack of remorse1
  3. It involves deliberate actions to cause pain, anguish, or destruction1
  4. Wickedness is often contrasted with righteousness in the Bible5

While both terms describe morally wrong behavior, wickedness tends to emphasize the intentional and persistent nature of evil actions. A wicked person is typically seen as someone who deliberately chooses to do evil and refuses to repent14.

In some contexts, wickedness may be considered a stronger term than evil, implying a more severe form of moral corruption6. However, both terms are often used interchangeably in the Bible to describe actions and attitudes that are contrary to God’s will79.

Citations:

  1. https://www.reddit.com/r/Bible/comments/125e2fv/difference_between_a_wicked_and_a_sinful_person/
  2. https://kathrynwarmstrong.wordpress.com/tag/what-does-wicked-mean-in-the-bible/
  3. http://hermeneutics.kulikovskyonline.net/hermeneutics/wicked.htm
  4. https://gentleshepherd.com/difference-between-sin-and-evil/
  5. https://biblehub.com/topical/w/wickedness.htm
  6. https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/questions/20397/what-is-stronger-%D7%A8%D7%A9%D7%A2-rasha-wicked-or-%D7%97%D7%98%D7%90-chatta-sinner-in-the-hebre
  7. https://www.stevesweetman.com/disciple/email/evil-wicked.htm
  8. https://www.logos.com/grow/what-is-evil-biblically/
  9. https://www.gotquestions.org/definition-of-evil.html
  10. https://kingjamesbibledictionary.com/Dictionary/wicked
  11. https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/wickedness/

Answer from Perplexity: pplx.ai/share

 

 

 

In the Bible, the opposite of “the righteous” or righteousness is typically described as “the wicked” or wickedness. This contrast is fundamental to biblical teachings on morality and human behavior:

  1. Wickedness is often presented as the antithesis of righteousness, representing a deliberate defiance of God’s will1.

  2. While righteousness is associated with moral excellence, uprightness, and following God’s laws, wickedness is characterized by corruption, evil actions, and opposition to God’s standards13.

  3. The Bible frequently juxtaposes the righteous and the wicked, highlighting their different paths and ultimate fates. For example, Proverbs 14:34 contrasts the effects of righteousness and sin on a nation1.

  4. Wickedness manifests in various ways, including idol worship, oppression of the poor, robbery, and other actions that go against God’s commandments1.

  5. God’s reaction to wickedness is consistently portrayed as negative, with passages describing His judgment against those who persist in evil1.

It’s important to note that while “unrighteousness” is also used in the Bible, the term “wickedness” often carries a stronger connotation of deliberate and persistent evil6. The biblical narrative emphasizes the stark contrast between righteousness, which aligns with God’s nature, and wickedness, which opposes it.

Citations:

  1. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/bibles-view-righteousness-wickedness-james-liberia
  2. https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/righteousness
  3. https://www.gotquestions.org/difference-righteousness-holiness.html
  4. https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/righteous
  5. https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/what-is-so-dangerous-about-self-righteousness.html
  6. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/thesaurus/righteous
  7. http://www.usefulbible.com/romans/sin-righteousness-are-opposites.htm
  8. https://thesaurus.yourdictionary.com/righteousness
  9. http://gentlemantheologian.com/2019/10/29/opposite-lawlessness-not-lawfulness-righteousness/

Answer from Perplexity: pplx.ai/share

 

 

 

The Bible frequently contrasts “the righteous” with “the wicked,” highlighting the differences in their character, actions, and ultimate fates. Here’s a list of scriptures that compare and contrast these two groups:

Psalms

  1. Psalm 1:6 – “For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.”1

  2. Psalm 11:5-7 – “The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence. Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.”1

  3.  

Proverbs

  1. Proverbs 10:16 – “The labor of the righteous leads to life, the wages of the wicked to sin.”2

  2. Proverbs 10:7 – “The name of the righteous is used in blessings, but the name of the wicked will rot.”8

  3. Proverbs 12:7 – “The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand.”2

  4. Proverbs 15:9 – “The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but he loves him who pursues righteousness.”9

Other Old Testament Books

  1. Malachi 3:18 – “And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”3

  2. Isaiah 3:10-11 – “Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor. Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done.”3

New Testament

  1. Matthew 7:16-17 – “By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.”3

  2. Romans 2:6-8 – “God ‘will repay each one according to his deeds.’ To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger.”3

  3. 1 Peter 3:12 – “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”4

These scriptures consistently portray the righteous as those who follow God’s ways, pursue righteousness, and bear good fruit. In contrast, the wicked are characterized by their rejection of God, pursuit of evil, and ultimate destruction. The Bible emphasizes that God blesses and upholds the righteous, while the wicked face judgment and perish.

Citations:

  1. https://www.wednesdayintheword.com/righteous-vs-wicked-psalms/
  2. https://bibleconclusions.com/bible-verses-about-the-wicked/
  3. https://biblehub.com/malachi/3-18.htm
  4. https://www.openbible.info/topics/the_righteous_and_the_unrighteous
  5. https://sermons.logos.com/sermons/119275-the-difference-between-the-righteous-and-the-wicked
  6. https://www.biblestudytools.com/psalms/passage/?q=psalms+37%3A12-27
  7. https://www.homechurchsermons.com/post/psalm-1-the-difference-between-the-righteous-and-the-wicked
  8. https://dailyverses.net/search/Wicked
  9. https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/questions/74189/do-proverbs-1524-and-ecclesiastes-321-suggest-that-the-righteous-ascend-up-a
  10. https://gracewyoming.com/the-wicked-the-righteous-and-the-lord/
  11. https://navigatingbyfaith.com/2020/07/06/who-are-the-righteous-and-the-wicked-part-i/

 

 

 

Here’s a  list of King James Version (KJV) scriptures (mostly Psalms 37 and Proverbs) that compare and contrast “the righteous” to “the wicked”:

Psalms

  1. Psalm 37:12-14 – “The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.”2

  2. Psalm 37:16-17 – “A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous.”25

  3. Psalm 37:21 – “The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.”25

Proverbs

  1. Proverbs 10:7 – “The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.”5

  2. Proverbs 10:16 – “The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.”5

  3. Proverbs 12:5 – “The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.”6

  4. Proverbs 12:7 – “The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.”5

  5. Proverbs 21:12 – “The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.”1

  6. Proverbs 28:1 – “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.”7

 

These scriptures consistently portray the righteous as those who follow God’s ways, are blessed, and upheld by the Lord. In contrast, the wicked are characterized by their deceitful actions, ultimate destruction, and opposition to God’s will. The Bible emphasizes the stark difference between the fate of the righteous and the wicked, highlighting God’s justice and the consequences of one’s choices.

Citations:

  1. https://www.biblestudytools.com/proverbs/21-12-compare.html
  2. https://www.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.37.12-29.KJV
  3. https://biblehub.com/malachi/3-18.htm
  4. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+3%3A18-21&version=KJV
  5. https://dailyverses.net/search/Wicked/kjv
  6. https://www.biblestudytools.com/proverbs/12-5-compare.html
  7. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+28&version=KJV
  8. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+37%3A12-14&version=KJV

In the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, the terms “the just” and “the righteous” are often used interchangeably, with little to no distinction between them. Both terms generally refer to those who are morally upright and in right standing with God. This equivalence is evident in several passages:

  1. In Malachi 3:18, the KJV uses both terms in parallel: “Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.”4

  2. Romans 1:17 uses both terms to convey the same concept: “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”7

  3. In Romans 3, the terms are used interchangeably. Verse 10 states, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one,” while verse 26 uses “just” in a similar context: “To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”5

The interchangeable use of these terms stems from their shared root in the original languages:

  1. In the Old Testament, both “just” and “righteous” often translate the Hebrew word “tsaddiq.”

  2. In the New Testament, both terms typically translate the Greek word “dikaios” or its variants.

This linguistic overlap explains why the KJV and other translations sometimes use “just” and other times “righteous” for the same concept. The choice often depends on the translator’s preference or the specific context of the passage.

In essence, both “the just” and “the righteous” in the KJV refer to those who are considered morally upright in God’s eyes, typically through faith and obedience to His commands.

Citations:

  1. https://www.gotquestions.org/justification.html
  2. https://www.beinhealth.com/what-is-righteousness/
  3. https://danielgaryhill.wordpress.com/2014/08/12/the-biblical-confusion-between-the-words-justice-and-righteousness/
  4. https://biblehub.com/malachi/3-18.htm
  5. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A10-31&version=KJV
  6. https://dailyverses.net/righteousness/kjv
  7. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Imputed-Righteousness/
  8. https://www.bible.com/bible/1/ROM.3.9-26.KJV

Answer from Perplexity: pplx.ai/share

 

 

 

 

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.