This chapter contains multiple themes such as wealth, integrity, leading well, and moral character.
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity. Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall. Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue. Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.” (v13-14, 18, 23, 26)
Scripture sends the consistent message that God desires us to be humble and full of spiritual integrity. These two concepts are pretty similar, and work together to help us glorify God. Essentially, humility is our recognition / confession of sin, and our willingness to die to those fleshly desires, putting God’s word / will above our own. Spiritual integrity is knowing ourselves well, and being fully aligned with God, speaking / acting in alignment with His will. If we can get these two things right, we will be fulfilling the two greatest commandments of loving the Lord our God, and loving our neighbors.
How do we become humble people of integrity? The simple answer is to spend time with God, and learn from good role models. Scripture is full of people who are exhibiting these principles – I’m sure people in your life are also exhibiting these characteristics. When we examine our own heart, we’ll find more examples as well.
Unfortunately, we will also find examples of these characteristics being snuffed out by pride. In my opinion, pride is the worst kind of sin, and could almost be called the root of all sin. It is essentially elevating our own fleshly desires and will over God’s. Pride is the enemy of humility and integrity.
The problem is, pride blinds us to the pride in our hearts. Therefore, I encourage us to seek God’s help to cleanse us of pride, and replace that sin with humility / integrity. Only our willingness to change, and the power of Jesus’ redemptive sacrifice can destroy the sin / pride within our hearts.
Father God, our All-Knowing and Wise King, we come before You a broken and blind people. We cannot cleanse ourselves of the sin that has infiltrated our hearts. Please open our eyes, and renew our hearts, cleansing us of all unrighteousness. Please help us to relentlessly pursue integrity, and lay down our pride in favor of humility. May we be your willing servants, shining examples who glorify You through our every word and action. In the name of our Righteous Redeemer, our Savior Jesus we praise You, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training