“The wise in heart [are willing to learn so they] will accept and obey commands (instruction), But the babbling fool [who is arrogant and thinks himself wise] will come to ruin. 9He who walks in integrity and with moral character walks securely, But he who takes a crooked way will be discovered and punished.” Proverbs 10:8-9 AMP

The Proverbs today describe to us the beginning and end states of two different roads. The first is the way of security. It begins with willing obedience! In a day and age of “my way or the highway,” society has forgotten that which keeps it from falling apart…law and order! Normally, laws that govern the land are for the keeping of peace and order. Today the practice of law has become about excuses and misinterpretation. The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy,

“Now we know [without any doubt] that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully and appropriately, 9understanding the fact that law is not enacted for the righteous person [the one in right standing with God], but for lawless and rebellious people, for the ungodly and sinful, for the irreverent and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10for sexually immoral persons, for homosexuals, for kidnappers and slave traders, for liars, for perjurers–and for whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,” 

I timothy 1:8-10 AMP

Suddenly, the laws of the land have become about protecting unrighteousness and not promoting proper behavior. It comes down to the reality of situational ethics. The belief that everyone can make their own reality and that there are no absolutes regarding moral behavior. The Proverb warns us of the resulting state of disregarding warnings! The word “crocked way” is the Hebrew word meaning violence. It is translated as a “fierce, destructive force resulting in acts that maim, destroy, kill, leading to lawless terror and a lack or moral restraint.” If that isn’t a perfect depiction as to what is happening in the world today, I don’t know what would be! The one who walks in righteousness though is described very differently.

I love the statement that the one who walks in integrity with moral character walks securely. It speaks about those things which are done in the secret place.  Moral character and integrity are things that are practiced when no one else is around. It holds the line in one’s life and keeps them on the straight and narrow. This is the person who knows how to keep their eyes on Jesus! Paul wrote,

“Therefore if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. 3For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

Colossians 1:1-4 AMP

The one who wilks in the crocked way will surely be found out. The word here spells it out clearly. It is the word perverted! It means one who is “morally crocked, in a distorted, perverted state from a just and right condition.” WOW! Can we say amen? The voices crying out in the world today are in total rebellion to the standards of moral purity. It may seem like they are gaining ground, but ultimately, they will be brought to judgement and exposed. So, what is a Christian to do? The book of Jerimiah give us the answer,

“I will speak My judgments against them for all the wickedness of those who have abandoned (rejected) Me, offered sacrifices or burned incense to other gods, and worshiped the [idolatrous] works of their own hands. 17But you [Jeremiah], gird up your loins [in preparation]! Get up and tell them all which I command you. Do not be distraught and break down at the sight of their [hostile] faces, or I will bewilder you before them and allow you to be overcome. 18Now behold, I have made you today like a fortified city and like an iron pillar and like bronze walls against the whole land–against the [successive] kings of Judah, against its leaders, against its priests, and against the people of the land [giving you divine strength which no hostile power can overcome]. 

Jerimiah 1:16-18 AMP

My friends, the hour has come for the church to rise up in demonstration of all that is good and just. We are called to hold the line and be ready to give an account for the hope that lies within us! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken