When we cultivate righteousness, we cultivate Christ’s nature – Christlikeness. James speaks of being quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.
“Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for a man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness of God.” ~James 1:19-20 NASB
Cultivate Your Quickness to Hear
Our quickness to hear our Lord’s instructions leads to us following Him in our actions.
“But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.” ~James 1:25 NASB
Our quickness to hear others thoroughly leads to our growth in understanding, whether we learn at others’ feet or instruct them in the way of truth.
“The wise will hear and increase their learning, and the person of understanding will acquire wise counsel and the skill [to steer his course wisely and lead others to the truth].” ~Proverbs 1:5 AMP
Cultivate Your Slowness to Speak
Our righteousness comes from Christ exchanging our sin for His righteousness on the Cross. We have no ability to achieve righteousness in our own strength; it is Christ within us that transforms our character from selfishness to consideration of others.
“If anyone thinks himself to be religious (piously observant of the external duties of his faith) and does not bridle his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person’s religious service is worthless (futile, barren).” ~James 1:26 AMPC
“When there are many words, wrongdoing is unavoidable, but one who restrains his lips is wise.” ~Proverbs 10:19 NASB
I appreciate how Dr. Marion Soards, a Professor of New Testament Studies in Kentucky, articulates Christ’s righteousness within us, “The one who in faith gives oneself to the doing of God’s will is righteous, doing righteousness, and reckoned righteous by God.”
“We act with righteousness when we live justly, honestly, and faithfully according to God’s instruction.” ~Bible Project
Cultivate Your Slowness to Anger
To be like Christ, we must follow His example of being merciful, gracious, loving, kind, and slow to anger.
“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness.” ~Psalm 103:8 AMP
King Solomon encourages us to rule our spirit and to be thoughtful in our answers to others.
“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, he who rules his [own] spirit than he who takes a city.” ~Proverbs 16:32 AMPC
“A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath, but harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger.” ~Proverbs 15:1 AMP
“A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger calms a dispute.” ~Proverbs 15:18 NASB
“Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger, and it is his honor and glory to overlook a transgression or an offense [without seeking revenge and harboring resentment].” ~Proverbs 19:11 AMP
The Apostle Paul directs us to guard our hearts, minds, and speech as we interact with one another.
“Be angry [at sin—at immorality, at injustice, at ungodly behavior], yet do not sin; do not let your anger [cause you shame, nor allow it to] last until the sun goes down. And do not give the devil an opportunity [to lead you into sin by holding a grudge, or nurturing anger, or harboring resentment, or cultivating bitterness].” ~Ephesians 4:26-27 AMP
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” ~Ephesians 4:29 NASB
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” ~Ephesians 4:31-32 NASB
Let us Choose to Cultivate Righteousness
May we join King David in praying, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.”1 By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can walk in Christlikeness by being quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. In Christ’s righteousness, we “can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”2
Recommendations
Refuse offense, resentment, and bitterness; choose love – Offense – To Be or Not to Be is the Ultimate Choice – Strength with Dignity
Jesus was moved by Compassion – Moved by Compassion – 9 Powerful Ways Jesus Taught Us – Strength with Dignity
References
1 Psalm 141:3 NASB
2 Philippians 4:13 WEB
100 Bible Verses about Be Slow to Anger. Published by Open Bible. Retrieved June 26, 2024, from What Does the Bible Say About Be Slow To Anger? (openbible.info)
100 Bible Verses about Righteousness of God. Published by Open Bible. Retrieved June 25, 2024, from What Does the Bible Say About Righteousness Of God? (openbible.info)
Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.
Amplified Bible, Classis Edition (AMPC) Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation.
New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995), copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
Soards, Marion. Righteousness – Holman Bible Dictionary. Published by Study Light. Copyright information: These dictionary topics are from Holman Bible Dictionary, published by Broadman & Holman, 1991. Retrieved June 25, 2024, from Righteousness – Holman Bible Dictionary – (studylight.org)
Vocab Insight: Dikaiosune/Righteousness. Published by Bible Project [BP] on April 8, 2024. Retrieved June 25, 2024, from The Meaning of Righteousness in the Bible | BibleProject™
Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. Retrieved June 27, 2024, from https://webstersdictionary1828.com/
World English Bible (WEB) by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.
Bible Gateway Blogger Grid Member #bgbg2 #BibleGateway
12 thoughts on “How to Cultivate Righteousness in Today’s World”
Lisa, excellent thoughts for a polarized culture. I can’t help but think how much healing would come if we were quick to listen and slow to speak. Really choosing to hear and value others.
I think our world would be a different place, Donna, if we practiced the skill of listening quickly and holding our tongues a little longer before we replied.
Slow to speak, quick to listen–a spirit of humility. Richard Foster states that it is a lost virtue. Good encouragement here to cultivate righteousness and humility.
It does take humility to be quick to hear and slow to speak, Carol.
Imagine how different our relationships would be if we could all practice being quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger? Great choice for your Cultivation series, Lisa!
Our relationships would be much healthier if we practiced these principles, Lisa!
Love this article Lisa. Boy do I try to reflect Christlikeness.
Thank You so much for sharing this wonderful article with Sweet Tea & Friend’s this month.
May Christlikeness grow in us each day, Paula!
I need this reminder. Every. Single. Day.
All too often my mouth starts moving before my mind has time to engage.
Thank you for the gentle reminder.
One Word #4 – July
May He put a watch over our mouths, Barb! It is so easy to speak to quickly! I pray, He helps us to listen quickly. 🙂
Righteousness cultivated changes how we respond to the world around us. The fractiousness in our culture is evidence of how far our culture has strayed from these tenets – and how I need to be diligent. Thank you for this list.
Responding righteously to unrighteousness takes the grace of God, Maryleigh.