Righteousness is a state of being. It is not a series of choices that one makes, rather it is a way of life. The Breastplate of Righteousness covers the main part of the body, all the vital organs that make up the person, namely the heart. A state of being just is. If a person is funny, this is his state of being. He does not need to go around telling everyone how funny he is, he just is. If he were to remind everyone how funny he was on a daily basis, he would no longer be funny just annoying. The same can be said of righteousness. We need not go around telling everyone how righteous we are, we can just be. If our state of being is righteous, then our actions, conduct and conversation will follow.
"The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; he who guards his way preserves his life." Proverbs 16:17, Amplified
The way we walk is so important as to what defines us. Our path in life should always take the detour if it entails avoiding evil. Why be unduly tempted? If I know that pornography is a huge hurtle in my life, why would I go into liquor stores that sell such items? AMPM is a perfect example of a business that has avoided such distasteful product and I can go in and buy whatever I want without the temptation of buying a dirty magazine.
Not only does a righteous path need to be chosen, but a guarding of the heart must take place. We are but flesh. No matter how righteous our choices in life may be, we will always encounter the temptation of sin. This is why we must guard ourselves. The Armor of God found in Ephesians 6 is the perfect example. Each piece of armor is specifically designed for its placement on the body.
The best example that I could find for this idea of walking righteously and guarding ourselves is this: "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16, NKJV) This word "circumspectly" means in all directions at once. Not that our walk should be in every direction at once, for that would make for chaos. This means choosing a specific path in life (namely toward God) and walking while keeping you guard up by looking in all directions. Rarely does the enemy hit us from the front. It is a blitz attack on our blindside.
Walk as wise men and women of the Lord. Redeem the time that we have here on earth. Redemption is getting what value is left in an object or thing. If you buy a can of soda, it has a California Redemption Value. When you have finished the contents for which you bought the can, the can itself still holds value. The time that we have left on this earth still has value. Get all you can. Redeem the time, walk circumspectly, guard your path and take the high road.
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