Proverbs 11:5

Proverbs 11:5 says:

The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.

We watch others succeed in this world and get frustrated because we know that they are doing it through wicked ways. We know that they have wicked hearts. It is not a matter of judging someone. It is obvious that their heart is not owned by God and directed by Him. The frustration comes from seeing this make more money in this world and go far in business and with the community. But this verse reassures us that they will be brought down by the very acts that make them “successful”.

It can be really frustrating to watch a cop take a payoff. Seeing them partake in a drug deal makes one sick at their stomach. How can they do this? Why are they not getting punished for this? We might not see them receive justice. It might not happen for years, but it will happen. One day, their acts will have them on the front page of the newspaper. They will be exposed and dragged down by their own acts.

I personally was frustrated with a man in our town who everyone thought was a saint. They all loved him. What they did not know was that he had a violent temper and had almost killed his ex-wife and son many times before. He portrayed his son as a dangerous man and was always doing things wrong. The truth was that the man would set his son up to be arrested or to do something in front of someone that could be misinterpreted. He was a man who began rumors and wanted to bring anyone down who might expose him. I was getting very angry that he was so well esteemed in his church and even praised for his Christian acts. I wanted to scream out the truth so that they all knew the truth about him. A friend of mine reassured me with scripture about how the truth will always be revealed. It might not be in my time, but it will happen. I have to be assured of that and accept God’s timing as perfect. I want it to happen now, but now might be disastrous for others. It has to be perfect timing.

Those that follow God’s way have a straight path. There are no sudden curves or dips. Deception makes our paths crooked and dangerous. We trip when we do things wrong, not when we do things right. I have to realize that the wicked will be exposed and fall. I do not have to do anything. They will do very well on their own. Plus, God is much more creative than I am.