Which other scriptures highlight the significance of truth and righteousness? Jeremiah 4:2 — A Call to Swear by the LORD in Truth and Righteousness “and if you swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ in truth, justice, and righteousness, then the nations will bless themselves in Him, and in Him they will glory.” (Jeremiah 4:2) Truth: Anchored in the Very Nature of God • Psalm 119:160 — “The entirety of Your word is truth, and all Your righteous judgments endure forever.” • John 14:6 — “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” • Numbers 23:19 — “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?” • Ephesians 4:25 — “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are members of one another.” • 1 John 3:18 — “Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.” Righteousness: Living in Alignment with God’s Standards • Psalm 11:7 — “For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face.” • Proverbs 21:3 — “To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.” • Isaiah 33:15-16 — “He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity… will dwell on the heights; his bread will be provided and his water assured.” • Matthew 5:6 — “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” • Matthew 6:33 — “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” • 2 Timothy 2:22 — “Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Truth and Righteousness Together: God’s Seamless Design • Psalm 85:10 — “Loving devotion and truth have joined together; righteousness and peace have kissed.” • Isaiah 59:14 — “So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands far off; truth has stumbled in the public square, and uprightness cannot enter.” • Zechariah 8:16 — “These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another, render true and sound judgments in your gates.” • Ephesians 5:9 — “for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.” • Philippians 1:9-11 — “…filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” Blessings that Flow from Truth and Righteousness • Psalm 15:1-2 — “He who walks with integrity and does what is righteous and speaks the truth from his heart” is the one who may dwell with God. • Proverbs 12:19 — “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.” • Proverbs 13:6 — “Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness undermines the sinner.” • Isaiah 32:17 — “The work of righteousness will be peace; the service of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever.” • 1 Peter 3:10-12 — Those who turn from deceit and pursue good “love life and see good days,” for the Lord’s eyes “are on the righteous.” • James 3:17-18 — “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.” Putting It Into Practice Today • Let God’s Word shape every conversation (Ephesians 4:25). • Choose integrity in private and public decisions (Proverbs 21:3). • Actively pursue righteous goals—do not simply avoid sin (2 Timothy 2:22). • Align motives and methods with truth; speak plainly and lovingly (1 John 3:18). • Expect the Lord’s peace and provision when truth and righteousness guide you (Isaiah 32:17). |
    |