The verse “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” comes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:6. It is one of the Beatitudes that describe the character of those who are citizens of God’s kingdom. This verse describes a deep spiritual craving and longing for righteousness, justice, and upright living before God.
To “hunger and thirst” speaks of an intense desire and passion. Hunger and thirst are some of the most basic human needs, without which we would die. When we intensely hunger and thirst for food and water, it consumes our thoughts and drives our behavior. Jesus uses this imagery to describe the attitude His followers should have in desiring righteousness.
The righteousness spoken of here is not our own righteousness, but the righteousness that comes through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). As believers, we understand that on our own we cannot live up to God’s perfect standards of righteousness. We desperately need the righteousness that He gives as a gift to those who put their faith in Jesus Christ. This verse speaks of recognizing that need and fervently seeking to live a transformed righteous life in and through Him.
So what are some characteristics of those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness” and what are the blessings?
They Recognize Their Spiritual Poverty
Those who recognize their spiritual poverty and utter inability to earn righteousness before a holy God will hunger and thirst for the righteousness only God can provide. This is a recognition of one’s absolute dependence on God for righteousness. Those who think they are righteous in themselves see no need to hunger and thirst for the righteousness that comes through Christ (Luke 18:9-14).
They Value Christ’s Righteousness Above All Else
Someone who hungers and thirsts for righteousness finds Christ and His righteousness to be most precious and valuable above all else. They count everything else as loss for the sake of gaining Christ and the righteousness from God that depends on faith (Philippians 3:8-9). To them, righteousness is their greatest need and desire.
They Repent of Sin
Those who sincerely hunger and thirst for righteousness recognize sin in themselves, hate it, and turn from it through repentance. They do not take sin lightly as they seek to live upright and blameless lives. There is an intense hatred of sin because of a greater love for righteousness, holiness, and the character of God.
They Study God’s Word
Hungering for righteousness motivates someone to feast on the Word of God where righteousness is revealed. They meditate on it diligently (Psalm 1:2), hide it in their heart (Psalm 119:11), and find in it the wisdom that leads to righteous living (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The more they know God’s Word, the greater their hunger for righteousness becomes.
They Pray Fervently
Those with a passion for righteousness pour out their hearts regularly to God in prayer, asking for strength and discernment to walk in righteousness. They pray for greater knowledge and love of God that overflows into love and service to others. Their hunger for righteousness drives their prayer life.
They Pursue Holiness
There is a passionate pursuit of holiness, without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). They actively put off sinful attitudes and behaviors while putting on the character of Christ. They also pursue fellowship with other believers for the purpose of mutual edification and accountability in living righteously (Proverbs 27:17).
They Take Practical Steps of Obedience
This beatitude emphasizes an attitude of hunger and thirst, but that attitude drives concrete actions to walk in greater obedience and righteousness. There is an eagerness to do good works (Titus 2:14) and practice spiritual disciplines like Bible study, prayer, fasting, fellowship, and worship.
They Are Merciful
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness show mercy to others, just as they have received mercy (Matthew 5:7). They forgive others, care for the needy, and seek righteousness for the vulnerable. Righteousness touches every area of life, including how we treat other people.
They Experience Satisfaction and Joy
Jesus promises that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness “shall be satisfied.” While we will not experience full righteousness until Christ returns, believers experience immense joy and satisfaction as they grow in righteousness in this life. Obedience brings blessing, and there is tremendous joy in pursing holiness.
In contrast, those who pursue sin leave you empty. Isaiah 55:2 asks, “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?” Sin never truly satisfies whereas righteousness does.
They Are Persecuted
Unfortunately, those who passionately pursue righteousness often face opposition from the world. 2 Timothy 3:12 says, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” But we can rejoice, for the reward for those who are persecuted for righteousness is great in heaven (Matthew 5:10).
They Are Empowered by the Holy Spirit
This kind of hunger and thirst is not something we can work up solely in our own strength. It is an ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the heart of a believer. Part of the ministry of the Spirit to believers is to produce in them a passion for God’s righteousness accompanied by distaste for sin.
The Holy Spirit enables believers to hunger and thirst for righteousness and provides strength and endurance to continue passionately pursuing righteousness amid hardships and trials.
They Are Declared Righteous Before God
The Bible is clear that those who put their faith in Christ are declared righteous before God (Romans 3:21-24). His perfect righteousness is credited to our account. This is what it means to “be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ” (Philippians 3:9). Our hunger for righteousness shows that we have already been declared righteous before God.
They Are Being Conformed to Christ’s Image
Those who are declared righteous through faith alone are also being made righteous as the Holy Spirit works practically to change us to become more like Christ (Romans 8:29). This is called sanctification. Our hunger and thirst for righteousness evidence that the Spirit is at work in us to change us.
They Will Be Filled
There is coming a day when God “will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Though we experience trials and suffering in this age, a day is coming when all who hungered and thirsted for righteousness will be fully satisfied and will rejoice in the presence of Christ forever.
The righteous will shine like the sun in God’s kingdom (Matthew 13:43). So as we hunger and thirst for righteousness, we can look forward to that glorious day.
How Can We Cultivate This Righteous Craving?
How can believers cultivate an attitude of hungering and thirsting for righteousness?
- Pray for greater hunger and thirst for righteousness.
- Study the Word and meditate on God’s righteous commands.
- Examine your life for areas lacking righteousness, confess, and repent.
- Spend time with others who share your hunger for righteousness.
- Pursue accountability and fellowship for mutual growth in godliness.
- Memorize Scripture verses about righteousness.
- Begin and end each day reminding yourself of Christ’s righteousness given to you.
- Ask God to increase your hatred and disgust with sin.
The more we cultivate hunger and thirst for righteousness, the more satisfied we will be in Christ. May God fill each of us with an insatiable craving to walk in righteousness every moment of each day. As we walk by the Spirit, we will not gratify the desires of the sinful flesh (Galatians 5:16). May God give us such hunger and thirst that it consumes our thoughts and governs our actions. When righteousness is our greatest craving, it changes everything.
