Walking In Integrity

Paulette Fraticelli

(Prov 10:9 NLT) People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall.

In this text Solomon contrasts those that make every effort to walk in integrity with those that knowingly follow crooked paths.

I have shared with you before how we can and should make every effort to rid ourselves of what I call "Blessing Blockers." The writer of Hebrews painted a picture for us. He used the analogy of our lives being a race and how our purpose is wrapped up in the race that God has set before us.

He told us that to affectively run the race we must rid ourselves of every weight and sin that could slow us down (12:1). Not everything is a sin. Some things are weights - things that we know we simply should not do - and if we rid ourselves of the weights and the sin, of every Blessing Blocker, then we can freely and surely run our race. I know first hand the liberating feeling and the internal assurance I walk in when I know I am right before God; it gives me and overwhelming confidence and peace that cannot be shaken.

Solomon is not talking about a man that is sinless, because only Jesus was sinless, but he is talking about a man that walks in sincerity, integrity, and with a pure heart towards God and man. This man worships God with his whole heart, he seeks to be a blessing to others, he allows the Word of God to be the ruler by which he judges every decision. He walks by faith, with humility and patience, and he does it in love. This man is safe and his spirit can be at rest. He has nothing to fear and no reason to be afraid.

. Matthew Henry said of this man: "He is safe under a divine protection and easy in a holy security. He goes on his way with a humble boldness, being well armed against the temptations of satan, the troubles of the world, and the reproaches of men. 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 and great peace." The Psalmist told us that God will not without any good thing from those that walk uprightly (Ps 84:11).

On the other hand we have the man that willingly chooses crooked paths. This man is not deceived; he knows the difference between right and wrong and he chooses wrong. He refuses to submit to Godly counsel. He ignores the Word of God. He is deceitful towards others and walks with contempt towards God. Solomon says that he will slip and fall. The Message Bible translation of this text says, "Honesty lives confident and carefree, but Shifty is sure to be exposed." This man has chosen to live the shifty and shady life and he will be exposed. Sooner or later he will reap what is has sown (Gal 6:7).

So what does this mean? I could say that it means that you have a choice between walking in integrity or choosing the crooked path, but if you subscribe to Today's Word I will make the assumption that you have already made your choice and you have chosen God. That being the case, then this text should serve as a reminder of your security in Him. You are making every effort to walk upright before Him, so you can face every day with quiet confidence, knowing that God is in you, with you, and for you. You are safe in His arms and He will not withhold any good thing from you. Allow this security to a source of strength and peace!

Father, I am a woman of integrity. I walk upright before You. My heart is pure towards You and man. I remove every Blessing Blocker. I release all bitterness and guile. I am free of all weight and sin. I run my race with patience and confidence. I shall arrive at Your desired destination for my life. I walk by faith, not feelings and I seek to Be a Blessing every day. I am safe in You and this safety gives me an overwhelming confidence and peace that cannot be shaken. I enter this day with boldness and assurity! In Jesus' name. Amen!