“Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.”
There’s a double meaning in the first part of this first. Righteousness guards the person of integrity from the consequences of unrighteousness. It also keeps them from acting unrighteously. Kind of common sense but this is theme of Solomons that occurs often. Sinners reap the consequences as destruction. The image of an overthrow is certainly clear in politics and government. For a lot of us who follow sports we’ve seen it at times with coaching changes as well. The image of an overthrow is a complete toppling of the person who is not only in charge but often fully expects to remain in charge until the overthrow occurs. Sin in our life certainly causes at destruction and it will ultimately lead to a complete overthrow of our story. Not a pretty picture and definitely not a desirable outcome. Being a person of integrity, who we are in secret, brings right living in our life and will protect us from the consequences of sin. I recently talked with a man facing an unjust overthrow in his job. A young, arrogant, envious boss wants him gone. They were trying to manipulate things to make him look bad. During our talk I reminded him that his reputation both at work and throughout the community was impeccable and that because of decades of right living God would protect his reputation. He didn’t need to do anything but continue to live with integrity. Today live right and allow God to keep writing your story. #BeTheEdge
“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:12 NIV
