Righteousness in ProgressSample

RIGHTEOUS WARFARE

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Over the past few days, we learned that righteous living begins in the heart. We train our hearts to become more and more like Christ. His perfect righteousness goes against our natural hearts' desires.

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It is no surprise that the same Righteousness also protects our hearts against the enemy’s attacks. “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place” (Ephesians 6:14, NIV). Our ultimate life-preserving body part can only be protected by God’s righteousness.

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When we put on wisdom, the enemy can’t deceive us into making foolish choices. When we put on peace, shame can’t get a foot in the door. When we wear fearlessness over our hearts, Satan’s favorite scare tactics have no impact. And when humility straps in our egos, there is no way for sinful pride to ruin our lives.

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God’s righteousness is powerful when we choose to wear it. That is the reason why many good promises throughout scripture are meant for the righteous. It has nothing to do with human effort or accomplishment. It is basic common sense. When God’s righteousness protects our hearts, everything else HAS to fall in place. It’s only logical. “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (NLT).

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How has your understanding of righteousness changed over the past few days? How do you think your life could change if you decided to accept Christ’s protection of your heart?

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Let us revise the efforts we make towards righteous living. And let us experience all the blessings intended for the righteous in Christ. “We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense” (2 Corinthians 6:6-7, NLT).

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