Righteousness & The Fruit of the Spirit

What does the Bible actually mean when it calls someone righteous?

Many of us were taught to think of righteousness simply as being a “good person.” But who determines what is good, right, loving, kind, or just? Our personal definitions can change depending on our culture, politics, experiences, and opinions.

The Bible, however, gives its own definition.

📖 Deuteronomy 6:25 connects righteousness with observing God’s commandments.

📖 Psalm 119:172 declares: “for all thy commandments are righteousness.”

But what about the Fruit of the Spirit?

In Galatians 5:22–23, Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Does displaying these characteristics automatically make someone righteous? Can someone appear loving, kind, patient, and gentle while still living contrary to the commandments of God?

In this sermon, I examine the relationship between God’s definition of righteousness and the Fruit of the Spirit and explain why the two were never meant to oppose one another.

When our character is rooted in obedience to God, our love becomes righteous love. Our kindness becomes righteous kindness. Our patience becomes righteous patience. Our goodness becomes righteous goodness, and our self-control becomes righteous self-control.

Romans 8:4 says that “the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

And Ezekiel 36:27 tells us exactly what God's Spirit produces:

“And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” The Spirit of God should not lead us away from obedience to God.

The Spirit should lead us into a life of righteousness before God.

This is Righteousness & The Fruit of the Spirit.

📖 Scriptures discussed: Matthew 6:33 • Deuteronomy 6:25 • Psalm 119:172 • Leviticus 19:16 • Galatians 5:22–23 • Romans 8:4 • Ezekiel 36:27