Romans 14:17 KJV For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Righteousness briefly is having a repentant heart and striving to live a lifestyle according to the precepts, rules, and principles of God. God self-exist which means nothing created him, but he created all things except (evil). He has set up rules, principles, and commands on how he runs his kingdom.
God’s characters are holy, just, righteous, loving, longsuffering, and righteous judgment. God sacrificed his only begotten son (Jesus) for all humanity to redeem back to his kingdom. If you see how a kingdom structure is for the king, then you will understand why God desires for us to seek his kingdom. A kingdom in the natural realm is not to be compared with the spiritual kingdom of God because God’s kingdom is righteous order. The king takes care of the people in his kingdom. When a King decrees, a matter is set in stone, and no one can override the decree. The king honors what he has commanded. Numbers 23:20 I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed, and I cannot reverse it. When you please the King then, 1 John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
The Bible is God’s Manuel (quoted by Dr. Myles Munroe). God has laid out his instructions in the bible the dos and don’ts for us to have a blessed and prosperous life here on earth according to his principles. In addition, he has given instructions on how to battle in the spirit against Satan and his foul demons. God focuses on the mind, and how we think. Satan also focuses on the mind. Whichever force is dominating your thoughts, is the force that will control you. The battle is in the mind. If you think negatively, you will have a negative lifestyle. If you think righteously according to the scriptures, then you will have a righteous lifestyle.
Philippians 4: 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
By no means am I suggesting we will not make mistakes and miss the mark, but we ask for forgiveness in Jesus Christ’s name and get back up and keep pressing in Jesus. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Proverbs 24:16 “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.”
How we perceive the word of God will determine the outcome of our lifestyle on earth. 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. We must see the scriptures how God sees it. We must understand what the scripture is saying by God’s wisdom, not by man’s wisdom. The Holy Spirit knows what the mind of God is. 1 Corinthians 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2: 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. In addition, we must understand how to apply the scriptures in our lives to conquer/win battles, and to fulfill the purpose God pre-ordained for our lives.
