5. Righteous Desires

Sessions 4 & 5 Notes Download Matthew 5:6 Jesus selected a graphic and relatable metaphor that effectively communicates intensity and frequency for righteous desire. God honors free will (2 Chronicles 15:2, 4, and 15). Even if our inclination is pride, sin, and stubborn resistance, He honors our choice. Jesus communicated a virtuous progression to develop godly desires which will enhance fellowship with God. Humility eliminates pride; mourning eliminates sin. When pride and sin vanish, we become meek to receive God’s will. Humility, mourning, and meekness lead us to desire His righteousness. When His desires become our desires, He will bring them to pass. Psalm 37:4-6 God will give us His desires if we ask Him. Psalm 42:1-2; 63:1; Jeremiah 29:13 Matthew 7:7-11 That which we want determines that which we think and do. Before Christ, what we wanted was not what God wanted, rather what the devil wanted for us. Ephesians 2:1 Whatever we passionately want, desire, or lust for occupies our thoughts and life. The effective worldly advertising agencies understand that the public buys the products they desire. Rather than focusing on selling their product, they focus on building a want for the product. Humanity’s primal desires can sometimes conflict with desires for righteousness. Survival vs. Altruism: The instinct for self-preservation can morph into selflessness. One ends up with self-interest rather than compassion, charity, and helping others. Reproduction vs. Chastity: The drive for reproduction and sexual fulfillment can conflict with premarital celibacy or marriage fidelity. Social Connection vs. Integrity: The need for belonging can sometimes lead to compromise of righteous values. Peer pressure might push people to act against their moral beliefs, such as premarital sex, pretentious behavior. Power and Control vs. Humility: The desire for power and control can conflict with humility and servitude. Pleasure vs. Discipline: The pursuit of pleasure can conflict with self-discipline and temperance. Indulging in excessive eating, drinking, or other pleasures can be at odds with moderation and self-control. Knowledge vs. Faith: The desire for knowledge and understanding can sometimes lead to conflicts with the Bible. James 1:13-15 Blaming someone else, situations, or circumstances for our own sinful behavior is very easy to do. However, the Word of God emphatically and frequently communicates that no one or anything is to blame for our own sin. We do what we do because we choose to! Appetite Determines Lifestyle Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Matthew 6:33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Two aspects of righteousness to consider are the spiritual gift of righteousness and the state of moral integrity and justice that aligns with applying God’s will. Spiritual righteousness – Romans 3:22; 4:3-5; 9:30-10:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 4:24 Moral righteousness – Matthew 5:6, 10, 20, 33; Ephesians 4:24-32; 6:11-14 Moral righteousness is a state of moral integrity and justice that aligns with God’s will. It encompasses living in a way that is pleasing to God, adhering to His commandments, and seeking to promote justice and fairness in the world. This righteousness is not just about personal piety but also involves a commitment to social justice and ethical behavior. John 4:31-35 Jesus is the great example. Jesus is speaking to his disciples about the urgency of spiritual work. He uses the metaphor of a harvest to illustrate that the time for gathering souls is now, not in the future. The “fields” represent people who are ready to receive the message of the gospel. He is encouraging his disciples to recognize the immediate opportunity for evangelism and to act on it. Sharing God’s righteousness with others keeps it alive in us. Matthew 9:37-38; Luke 10:2; Galatians 6:9 Maintaining hunger for righteousness is realized as we endeavor to share with others. The post 5. Righteous Desires first appeared on Living Hope.