READING: Proverbs 10-12, 2 Corinthians 4
“The one who lives with integrity lives securely, but whoever perverts his ways will be found out.”
Proverbs 10:9
The Proverbs, by definition, are filled with wisdom. Today’s reading, like much of the book of Proverbs, is complete with multiple individual proverbs that challenge the reader to make wise and righteous choices. Indeed, every pair of statements causes one to stop, reflect, analyze, confess, and repent as needed. They are short but powerful, simple but relevant, clear but challenging.
This proverb particularly catches my attention today: “The one who lives with integrity lives securely, but whoever perverts his ways will be found out” (Prov. 10:9). I pause at this reading because of my long-term study of spiritual warfare, through which I’ve learned that the enemy always wants us to live a secret life, to be less than a person of integrity. He delights when the hidden parts of our lives are different than the public display of our walk with God. When we live that way, though, we continually live under the fear of being found out. The thought of potential disclosure can be weighty, but sometimes the lure of immediate sin and pleasure is greater than the fear of long-term disclosure – and the unwise man simply lives with the insecurity of fear.
On the other hand, the one who lives in integrity “lives securely.” He lives with no fear of others learning something corrupt about him, for he has nothing to hide. Because he walks in purity, he can trust God’s blessings and care. He can lay his head on his pillow at night without regrets from the day, and he can face tomorrow with peace and joy. In the words of Matthew Henry, “he knows what ground he stands on, what guide he follows, what guard he is surrounded with, and what glory he is going to, and therefore proceeds with assurance.”*
So, the choice is between (1) disobedience, fear, and insecurity and (2) obedience, peace, and security. The decision seems simple to me, but I still need God’s grace to be wise enough to choose the right path. All of us do.
ACTION STEPS:
- Choose to deal with any hiddenness in your life today.
- Strive for the obedience that brings great security.
PRAYER: “God, grant me grace to live securely in You today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Proverbs 13-15, 2 Corinthians 5
*Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 975). Peabody: Hendrickson.