The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them. — PROVERBS 11:3
Proverbs repeatedly teaches us that while fools believe their foolishness puts them in an advantageous position in life, it is precisely their foolish and wicked behavior that will be their downfall. But integrity, godliness, and wisdom—these are truly of great worth. They guide a person in the straight and narrow path. O Lord, help us to be men and women of principle, and grant us hearts of integrity that will protect us from losing our way!
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The Scriptures often remind us that the inward condition of our heart determines our external behavior. The Hebrew words translated here as “integrity” and “upright” are the most common Old Testament terms to express the concepts of justice and honesty. The former is a description of a comprehensive dedication to the Lord in all areas of life. The latter literally speaks of a smooth and straight surface in contrast to something twisted or crooked. Figuratively, it describes God’s ethical standard of fairness, according to which kings, judges, and priests were measured in the Hebrew Bible.
Such character qualities guide their possessors. In Hebrew, the term for “guide” is also used to describe how a shepherd carefully directs his sheep through a dangerous passage littered with dangers. It is also used in the Psalms to describe God’s sovereign protection of those who fear Him. Parents and mentors may guide the lives of young men and women for a time, but sooner or later their life choices become their own responsibilities. At that point, they will be guided either by integrity or crookedness.
Proverbs repeatedly teaches us that while fools believe their foolishness puts them in an advantageous position in life, it is precisely their foolish and wicked behavior that will be their downfall. But integrity, godliness, and wisdom—these are truly of great worth. They guide a person in the straight and narrow path. O Lord, help us to be men and women of principle, and grant us hearts of integrity that will protect us from losing our way!