Who is a Righteous Man According to the Bible? 18 Characteristics

2 Corinthians 5:21
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Anyone who believes in God wants to be righteous in His sight. If you acknowledge Him as your Creator, it is normal to have that desire to live according to His will.

The Bible has mentioned “righteous man” several times. If you wonder how to be one, you can check out some of its traits according to the Scriptures.

Salvation and Faith

1. He Has Put His Trust in Jesus Christ.

Sadly, no one can be righteous on their own because of sins (Romans 3:10). For this reason, God sent His own Son, Jesus Christ, to die on behalf of humankind. Those who believe in Him will be considered righteous.

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

2. He Knows He is Saved by God’s Grace through Faith.

In connection to no. 1, a person can only achieve righteousness by faith in Christ. It is by God’s grace that one is saved, and it can be accessed through faith alone.

“and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ–the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.” (Philippians 3:9)

3. He Trusts God for Safety.

A righteous man relies on God for strength. He entrusts His safety and other needs to Him. But, of course, this does not mean he will not do practical actions anymore. It only means he is not overcome by fear and anxiety because of his faith in God.

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.” (Proverbs 18:10)

4. He Lives By Faith.

Living by faith means believing in the gospel—that salvation is in Christ—and living life in accordance with it. This will lead to the next trait.

“For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’” (Romans 1:17)

5. He Lives for Christ.

An upright man lives for Christ because he understands He died for him. Therefore, he dedicates his life to doing God’s will, sharing His love and goodness, and preaching the gospel to unbelievers.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Character and Ways

6. He Walks in Integrity.

One of the most evident traits of righteousness is integrity. A righteous person pursues integrity in all their ways. They do not engage in any kind of corruption or wickedness.

“A righteous man who walks in his integrity—How blessed are his sons after him.” (Proverbs 20:7)

7. He is Generous.

A righteous man pays back whenever he borrows money from others. Moreover, he is not stingy at all. On the contrary, he is generous in giving to those who are in need.

“The wicked borrows and does not pay back, But the righteous is gracious and gives.” (Psalm 37:21)

8. He Values Honesty.

Since a righteous person values integrity, honesty is important to them. Therefore, they hate lies, bribes, and any form of falsehood.

“A righteous man hates falsehood, But a wicked man acts disgustingly and shamefully.” (Proverbs 13:5)

 

Proverbs 12:5
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9. His Thoughts are Just.

Another trait of a righteous man is being just. He values justice, so he treats everyone fairly. He will not engage in any deceitful act that can harm others.

“The thoughts of the righteous are just, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.” (Proverbs 12:5)

10. He is Compassionate Towards the Poor.

An upright person is concerned about poor people. Their compassion allows them to help the needy and be their voice in claiming what is theirs.

“The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor, The wicked does not understand such concern.” (Proverbs 29:7)

11. He Does Not Follow Wicked People’s Advice.

Godly wisdom is another characteristic of a righteous individual.  Instead of getting advice from worldly people,  they rely on God’s Word to understand their situations better.

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.” (Psalm 1:1-2)

12. His Desires are Only Good.

A righteous man desires pure and good things that can glorify God. Therefore, they are not selfish in their motives.

“The desire of the righteous is only good, But the expectation of the wicked is wrath.” (Proverbs 11:23)

13. He Works with Excellence.

He also offers the works of his hands to God. That is why he gives his best in everything he does. He values excellence because that is his act of worship to the Lord.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (Colossians 3:23)

 

Colossians 3:23
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14. He is a Role Model in Everything.

He excels in all areas. He may not be perfect, but he is someone who is careful not to stumble anyone with his conduct. He is a role model to everyone surrounding him.

“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” (Titus 2:7-8)

Blessed

15. He Will Flourish and Remain Fruitful.

Since he is faithful in following God’s ways, the Lord blesses Him. He makes him productive in whatever season. Even when he is old, he still lives a fulfilling life.

“The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the Lord, They will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still yield fruit in old age; They shall be full of sap and very green,” (Psalm 92:12-15)

16. He is Rewarded with Prosperity.

Aside from being productive, God rewards him with abundance. He may not be financially wealthy, but he can be rich in health, love, relationships, and testimonies of experiencing God’s miracles.

“Adversity pursues sinners, But the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity. A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.”

17. He Receives the Desires of His Heart.

When he dreams of something that is in line with God’s will, he will get it. This is because the Lord will not withhold good gifts from a righteous person.

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

18. His Plans are Established by God.

You can tell if someone is righteous based on how God guides their paths. Since they commit to God their plans and activities, He blesses them.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (Proverbs 16:3)

Be a Righteous Man

Pursuing a righteous life is fulfilling. It may not be easy, but it will give you a sense of purpose. So, ask the Lord for wisdom and strength to be one.

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Cyril Abello
Joan is a freelance blogger who loves writing about personal development. She also loves learning and teaching languages. A Communication Arts graduate, she now pursues a masters degree in Language Teaching. She is into mobile photography, writing poems, and reading for leisure.
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