“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”

Psalms 1:1

The Conduct of the Righteous: Our Third foundational principle of truth of the Conduct of the Righteous is (“nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”) This denotes the blessed saint which is not in a stationary abode (sitting) with a hardened, sullen, and lofty heart (seat) of the scorner. (Scorner: A contemner, a despiser, a scoffer, a derider. Webster 1828)

 Sadly, we find here a seemingly downward progression of one who first gets caught up (walking), listening and heeding the guidance (counsel) of those who have no fear of God and live wretched lives for self and this world (ungodly). Then instead of repenting continues, becoming soundly fixed upright (standing) in the deceitfulness and vanity (ways) of those going on in their sin (sinners) against the Holy God. Then at the end he is planted (sitteth) being deceived in his pride (seat) becomes a mocker and ridiculer (scorner) of the righteous. This is the one not blessed, living a life wrapped up (self) and blinded by this world’s temporal vanity. Unfortunately, this also can happen to a backslider full of his own ways. (Prov. 14:14) Yet this writer believes the Lord will chastise then take him home if he will not turn and repent.

 You will not find the blessed righteous saint in Christ at rest (sitting) upon his derriere thinking himself to be all that and then laughing and deriding (scorning) the Christian struggling and fighting in battle for the right in the Lord. For that one shall end in destruction. Yet the Blessed and Righteous Saint in Christ will:

• Be in church regularly: Planted and flourishing (Ps. 92:13); Desire and Seek to behold the beauty of the Lord in His house (Ps. 27:4); Concerned over the things of the house of God (I Tim. 3:15); Looking at the welfare of the saints (Phil. 4:16); Being kindly affectionate with longsuffering (Rom. 12:9-16; I Cor. 13:1-8; Col.3:12-15; I Thess. 5:9-25).
• Be in the Word: Dwelling in the saint (Col. 3:16); Born again of the Word (John 1:1; I Peter 1:23); Studying the Word and rightly dividing it (II Tim. 2:15); Wielding the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God (Eph. 6:17); Holding forth the Word of God (Witness and Preaching) (Phil. 2:16); Weeping, and bearing precious seed (Ps. 126:6); Walking in Truth (II John 1:4; III John 1:3)
• Be in Prayer: Without ceasing (Col. 1:9; I Thess. 5:17); For kings and rulers (I Tim. 2:1-2); For all saints (Eph. 6:18); To be on guard (Matt. 26:41; I Peter 4:7); For the lost (Rom. 10:1); Urgently and pressing (instant) (Rom. 12:12); Earnestly (James 5:17-18); For the weak and sickly (James 5:14-16); Laboring fervently (Col.4:12); Conquering worry and fear (Phil. 4:6-7).
• Be in a State of Tranquility: Trusting in the Lord (Is. 26:3; John 16:33); Because of the Word (Ps. 119:165); Contented with the Lord’s provisions (Phil. 4:11; I Tim. 6:6,8); Happy and joyous (Col. 1:11; Philemon 1:7; James 5:11; I Peter 1:8; I John 1:4 ); For His Lord controls the raging storms (Matt. 8:26; 14:28-29; Mk. 4:39; Luke 8:24); For His Lord doth deliver and will yet deliver. (Acts 12:11; II Cor. 1:10; II Tim. 3:11); andFor His Lord giveth the victory (Ex. 14:14; Duet. 3:22; Josh. 23:10; Judges 11:9; I Cor. 15:57; I John 5:4)

 Therefore, dearly beloved let us not seek (walketh) to heed any advice (counsel) of those who live with no fear of God (ungodly). Neither go to dwell or be cemented (standeth) in the manners and behaviors (ways) of those which constantly live in disobedience (sinners). Striving not to end up in an abode (sitteth) with a heart of loftiness and pride (seat) of a scoffer (scorner).

 Let us manifest this Conduct of Righteousness putting on our Lord Jesus Christ and making no provision for the flesh. Standing strong in the Lord: with our armour on; holding the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit in hand; shining and gleaming forth to His glory and praise.

(“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” Rom. 13:14)

(“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Eph. 6:10)