Secure or Crooked?

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,

But he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.

Proverbs 10:9

Have you heard the saying, “A man is only as good as his word?” In other words, what a man says must be backed up by his actions. When a man tells a woman that he loves her, she expects to see it backed up in his actions. If he does not pay attention to her, show her kindness, honor, and respect, then we would wonder if he truly loved her. When a woman says she loves her children, but fails to provide for their basic needs we would wonder about the sincerity of her words. She never hugs them, encourages them, or spends time with them, we would wonder about her love for them.

Our verse in Proverbs talks about walking. This does not mean the activity of walking, though that is a good activity. The word walk actually means how we live. If we live with integrity, we will be secure in our lives. This security is not when you are locked safely inside your house or car, or riding in the Presidents bullet proof Limo with secret service all around you.  The security this is talking about is the security of your reputation. When you say something, everyone around you knows that what you say has happened or will happen. When we live our lives truthfully and honestly, we are walking on ground that is firm. It is secure.

Integrity means being honest and having high moral principles no matter where a person is or who they are with. A person with integrity provides a steadiness and a secureness to the relationship. The trust in the relationship is never broken since they never give anyone a reason to doubt them. They are dependable and without any doubt, and when you are in a relationship with this person you know you can count on them. Any relationship with the person that has impeccable integrity provides a security to the relationship that is unwavering.

This is the kind of love and relationship we have with our God if we are a follower of Jesus. His love and care for us is unshakeable. No matter what we do, God will always love us. He loved us first (I John 4:19) and will never stop loving us. (Rom. 8:35).

I am reminded of the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). Even though the son turned his back on his dad, the son knew the integrity of his father and knew that even though he had treated his father poorly their relationship was secure.

Our reputation goes before us and behind us. People know what kind of a person you are by your reputation. One who walks in a way that demonstrates honest and wholesome character with a high degree of morality, is one who provides a security and a dependability of relationship.

The converse of this person is the one whose way is crooked. In other words, this person lies and is always seeking to cover their tracks. This person is the flagrant opposite of the person with a high moral and wholesome character. Having a relationship with this person is like walking on quick sand or in a completely dark forest. There is no security or safety. You are never quite sure what to expect and the relationship always leaves you with a feeling of being unsettled. We have seen this happen multiple times (actually multiple multiplied by multiple times) on the news to politicians, actors/actresses, or others. It seems that these people are always living life with one eye forward and one eye watching their back always wondering when the truth will actually surface. They tell lies to cover up the last lies. Then they don’t remember what the lie was that they told. “Be sure your sins will find you out.” (Num. 32:23). It seems that these people would learn that a thing can never be covered up. The truth will always be found out, yet the deceivers are themselves so deceived they think that they will be the one to pull the wool over someone’s eyes.

The crooked ways are always found out and the truth is always revealed.

When my girls were young, they would always get in more trouble for lying. I wanted them to understand how significant this was in their lives. A genuine relationship cannot be had with a crooked person. These relationships always leave us in turmoil and confusion. We are never sure which way is up. A relationship with this person is filled with uncertainty and uneasiness.

It is important to evaluate the relationships we are in. if you find yourself with a person of honest character with a high regard for the truth. Your relationship with that person is secure. If you find yourself in a relationship with a person that leaves you feeling uneasy and in turmoil, “leave the presence of a fool.” (Prov. 14:7). If you are married to such a person that leaves you uneasy or in turmoil, seek Biblical counsel. You need help and so does the person you are married to.

We can choose who we want to be… a person with honest integrity or the fool that leads us down a crooked path.