Proverbs Chapter 10

Proverbs 10:9
“He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.”

One of the greatest needs or desires that we as humans have is the need or desire to feel secure or safe. And one of the greatest areas we want to feel this security in is how we are seen by those around us. We want to be liked, respected and loved. We try to hide our weakness and failures so that others will not think less of us. I think Solomon probably had this this desire in mind as he penned Proverbs 10:9.

To “walk uprightly” is to carry yourself with complete integrity. To have complete integrity is not the same as being perfect and for that we can be truly thankful! A person who “walks uprightly” is honest; he adheres to ethical principles; and has sound moral character. Integrity is much sought after character trait in every area of business and life.

Solomon tells us that the person who walks in integrity does so “surely“, or with confidence and assurance. The contrast to this is the person who “perverts” his ways or the way he should live. To pervert is to twist or make crooked something moral, ethical or legal. The verse says that this person shall be exposed or found out.

Have you ever noticed that a person of great integrity is a person of calm assurance? Why is this? Because he has nothing to hide. On the other hand a person who lacks honesty and integrity lives in fear that he may be found out. He has twisted that which is moral, ethical or legal and he knows it was wrong to do so. I remember an inmate who once told me that he was serving 4 years for bank robbery. His story illustrates the truth of this verse. His family was in severe financial distress. His son desperately needed medical care. In his mind he felt justified to steal in order to care for his family’s needs. He successfully stole over $4000 from the bank. He made a “clean” getaway. No one was able to describe him or his vehicle. There was literally no evidence against him for the crime. The police were stymied in the search for a suspect. He told me that from the time he “got away” with the crime he had not even a moment of peace. He was continually looking over his shoulder. Wondering when the police would catch up to him. This went on for over two years until he could no longer stand it and he finally gave himself up to the police.

Don’t live in fear of being found out. Walk uprightly. Walk in assurance and confidence that you are right with God. And know that even when you fail, there is grace and mercy in Jesus Christ. We need only to repent of the “perverted way” and ask for His forgiveness. He stands ready, willing and able to forgive and restore us fully to the “upright walk“.