Proverbs 11:3-6 – “The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them. 4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. 5 The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the unfaithful will be caught by their lust.” NKJV
We know from the comprehensive teaching of Scripture that we reap what we sow or as some would say it, “What goes around comes around” or “Your chickens will come home to roost.” I fully believe that God is watching over His children and is fully aware of what is happening in our lives. The Bible says, “The rain falls on the just and unjust alike” revealing that sometimes there is not instant judgment or sentencing for wrong. However, in God’s time the chickens will come home to roost.
Notice what the writer declares in this short passage:
- Integrity vs. Perversity.
Integrity guides and becomes a lamp for the feet and a light on our pathway. During the course of an hour, day, week, month or year walking in integrity may not deliver us from difficulty at that moment but it is leading us to that place of liberty and victory. On the other hand while perversity may not receive instant judgment and sentencing it is laying the ground for destruction.
- Material Things vs. Righteousness.
If we place our confidence in material things we will be let down and ultimately disappointed for in the Day of Wrath possessions or wealth will not deliver us and cannot spare our lives. Righteousness on the other hand can and will bring us to LIFE.
- Success vs. Failure.
Righteousness in heart will guide one to success in life and in the spiritual realm whereas wickedness of heart will bring about ultimate failure and shame. Instead of striving for success and trying to grab the brass ring it is better to strive for righteousness and seek first the kingdom of God who is righteousness and in so doing be promoted to success.
- Fidelity vs. Lasciviousness.
Walking in righteousness of the heart will keep one in fidelity whereas following the lusts of the heart will lead one into lasciviousness and ensnare in the trap of lust. That does not have to be speaking of sexual impropriety but lust can and does target many things in life. I recall once in Israel the tour guide advised us to remove things from view as we departed the bus saying, “What they eye cannot see the heart will not lust after.” If our eye is on Christ we do not see things that entice our hearts in a lustful manner. We see with the eyes of righteousness and that produces fidelity of heart and raise us to victory.
God bless you as you go through your day!
Roy's Covenant Corner 