Righteousness Standing Guard

Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

Proverbs 13:6

This verse has really been standing out to me lately. It’s been popping up everywhere. So, I finally decided to share about it with you all when I saw it once again in my “verse of the day.”

What is Righteousness? It is acting in accord with divine or moral law: free from guilt or sin. I’ve mentioned in the past that there is someone who is our Righteousness. In 1 Corinthians 1:30 it states, “It is because of him (God) that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.” Now, let’s replace “Righteousness” with “Jesus Christ.”

Jesus Christ guards the innocent on the path, but wickedness misleads sinners. -Proverbs 13:6 (CEB)

Doesn’t that bring a little more clarity to what’s being said? Now, let’s look at it another way.

Obviously we aren’t perfect. We aren’t sinless. We stumbled all too often. We are all struggling with something in some way, shape, or form. But that doesn’t mean we can’t try to live blameless, innocent lives filled with integrity.

Picture a path that leads to your heart. Now picture a guard standing on the path in front of your heart. What you allow to pass through; what you allow to come in, and come out of your heart is who you are becoming. 

Every choice you make for good will lead to more opportunities for good. But that means the opposite is also true. You know, every time I read this verse I think of this question:

Am I making the decisions to obey God’s word?

Because, if not, that means I’m choosing to disobey. To disobey will lead to destruction. But here’s what I want to share with you. It’s something I keep reminding myself of as well.

You need to let God be the one to guard, guide, and correct your every step; what you’re allowing into your heart. Because when you do, you will be on the path to a blameless life.

Next time you sin, or make a mistake, recognize your error. Repent of them. Ask God for forgiveness. Follow his guidance, learn from your mistake, and grow.