He who walks with integrity walks securely,
But he who perverts his ways will become known.
Proverbs 10:9
“Walk” in an important Bible term. It has to Dow with a persons conduct in life
as a whole. It isn’t simply limited to
our intentions or our wishes of what could be true, but it is the actual
reality of how we live. Down to the
words we say, the thoughts that we think, and what we do and say when we think
nobody is looking. Once a dear friend of
mine said, “I used to get a rush of adrenaline every time I was driving and saw
a police car, but now I just wave when I see a police car.” When asked what caused the change his answer
was simple: “I just stopped speeding when I drive!” Knowing that he was now obeying the law meant
that he could have confidence when he saw a police car. Often times, as believers, we walk around
haunted by a guilty conscience. We walk
without security. Sometimes this is
because of real guilt and sometimes this is because of guilt which we have not brought
before Christ and received His forgiveness.
Whatever the case, as the believer grows in Christlikeness, there will
be an increasing reality of consistent integrity. Words will be honest, and commitments will be
honored, the right thing will be done, regardless of who is looking, and the
result is a secure and confident life.
The alternative if the reality that dishonest and ungodly ways do
ultimately display themselves. Like in
Edgar Allen Poe’s “Tell Tale Heart” trying to hide ungodliness only rots the
life of the one hiding it and ultimately comes into full view most of the
time.
