Week 4 Day 3: Think About What Is Right

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8 NASB

To be right is to be in accordance with what is just or good. It means to have proper conduct no matter what the situation is. It is the ability to act or judge in accordance with the truth and then align ourselves with a genuinely good position. This is where the term righteous and upright come from. As Christ followers we are not to be self-righteous, we are to be right in the eyes of God. To be righteous in standing with God we must align ourselves with His Son Jesus, striving to see ourselves, others and our circumstances the way He sees them. Not the way we see them.

We are right when we stand on His love and truth, carefully balancing them both. Truth without love comes out harsh, damaging ourselves and those around us. Love without truth is too soft and won’t help us get off the path of self-destruction. It is always right, appropriate and suitable to speak truth with love. But it is not okay to speak truth without love or love without truth. 

When we speak truth out of anger, fear or hate the damage we do will cause bad situations to get worse. Once we say things, no matter how sorry we are, they can’t be unheard or easily forgotten. That is why we must be very cautious with how we view ourselves and how we use our words, even when what we speak is right. 

When we speak truth out of love, with compassion and trust in God, healing can begin. The situation and relationship may not be resolved but it is diffused a little. By speaking truth with love, we help God plant good seeds, allowing the opportunity for truth to take root and God’s healing to take place. 

The saying, “It is better to be kind than right,” is not true. It should more accurately state, “It is better to be kind than to try to prove you’re right.” When we are secure in our position with God, when we know His power and our place in Him, we don’t have a selfish need to prove we are right. That’s when we can speak truth with love and leave the results in God’s hands.

Jesus never tried to prove He was right. He simply spoke truth with love, even when it was hard. Jesus was only contentious with the religious elite who were so focused on their own self-righteousness that they did not leave room for God and His righteousness. And even in His anger, Jesus never tried to prove to them He was right.

People who are aligned with God are genuine and real. They value what is morally right in the eyes of God, while loving the people around them no matter who they are or what they believe. They are authentic, faithful and true people.

Do you struggle with the need to be right? What are some examples when you were determined to prove you were right and when could you just let things go?

Meditate on "whatever is right" today.