Upright Fear

(Pro 14:2 KJV) He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

Here we see a different approach to the fear of the Lord. We don’t just talk, we show. We show by the choices we make and the paths we follow. A person chooses how he “walks” (1980). Sometimes we have no choice. Unfortunately life is like that. Usually we make choices. It can be the tone of voice we use. It can be the restaurants we pick to frequent, the books we read, the style of close we wear. The list could go on. Many of them seem like minor issues but they reflect what is going on in our heart. Do we dress modestly or to make a statement? What is the statement?

Many of our choices show our “uprightness” (3476). Or not. Take a simple choice like a T-shirt. I have discovered Shaka and Pro-Club. I discovered them because they have features I want. (I almost said need). They are heavy cotton. They have a tight neck. They are long. They are made in USA. They also have a feature I don’t like: They are expensive. I made the choice to buy them. I did not understand this would make me a celebrity at school. I have had kids say, “Is that a Shaka?” When I say yes they start telling all their friends that I am wearing a Shaka. For me it is a choice made on utility. For them it is a status symbol. I can wear them and be upright. They can’t. This is a silly example, but a real one. If it was a choice of a great T-shirt or paying my tithe, I would wear the “5 for $10" shirts. If it were a matter of paying off my credit card, I would go without a T-shirt. Uprightness is important to me. Righteousness should color every decision I make. It is all a part of fearing the Lord.