Prov 10.9
9 He who walks in integrity walks securely,
But he who perverts his ways will be found out.
One of the common statements of today is “What you see is what you get.” Well, this isn’t an accurate statement and even less accurate in the spiritual realm! It would be far more accurate to say “What you see is not what you get”!
One of our struggles is how do you “walk” in integrity when it seems like all those around you get away with everything? The answer comes from a biblical understanding of “security.” Real “security,” biblical “security,” is tied to something greater than the here and now. It’s tied to God’s plan and indeed, tied to God Himself! Our Proverb is a great “gem” in the Bible for this truth.
Parallelism Examined |
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9a |
9b |
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he who walks in integrity |
he who perverts his ways |
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walks securely |
his ways will be found out |
integrity – from a root meaning complete, thus whole, healthy, soundness (of sacrifices w/o blemish, Lev 21.21-22 ultimately picturing Christ, Heb 9.14; 1 Pet 1.19). cf. Gen 19.1; Ps 101.2b. E.g., speech which is with integrity is always true, completely true.
perverts – twists, crooked, cf. Prov 28.18; 19.1; 11.20; 22.5. So “why” would you “pervert” something? You hope to gain or avoid something, meaning you are dissatisfied with what God has provided! To “pervert” is to reject the hand of God, even God’s equitable discipline and instruction.
security – well-being and security which comes from having someone or something in which is confidence. Does “security” mean you never encounter harm? No! With the longer focus on life of the wise, there is still “security” even in a place of harm.
security in pagan thinking – this is typically when someone thinks they have some degree of control over life.
security in biblical thinking – realizes you are without resources to control life and yet you have life itself in a relationship with God! It is His faithfulness, loyal love, truth, trustworthiness which sustains you!
found out – known for what / who they are!
References to consider
Prov 19.1
1 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity
Than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool.
Prov 11.20
20 The perverse in heart are an abomination to the Lord,
But the blameless in their walk are His delight.
Prov 22.5
5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse;
He who guards himself will be far from them.
Prov 11.3
3 The integrity of the upright will guide them,
But the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.
Psalm 32.10
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
But he who trusts in the Lord, lovingkindness shall surround him.
Psalm 84.9-12
9 Behold our shield, O God, And look upon the face of Your anointed.
10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in You!
Psalm56.3-4
3 When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.
4 In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me?
Sharpening for my life today
As mentioned, what you see is not what you get!
With “integrity,” what you see is only a tiny portion of what you get (when you’re rewarded by your Father in heaven)! cf. Prov 4.18
The rule of farming again appears, what you sow, you reap.
Prov 27.17