Proverbs 13:6
"Righteousness guards the one whose way is blameless, but wickedness subverts the sinner"
righteousness
The word righteousness is the word sedeq which originally meant to be straight and then became to conform to the standard or norm. In other words, to be righteous means to do things God's right way; to line up with God's norm. When one does things the way God would want them done, then they have performed righteously.
guard
The word guard is the Hebrew word nasar which means to watch over, to protect. Notice that one’s righteous acts are said to take an active role in watching over or protecting one's life and lifestyle. When one has the habit of doing things the way God would want them done, then those tendencies keep a person from many of the troubles that would come upon those who skirt the edges of what is ethical or legal.
This is the idea that presenting an unethical or illegal opportunity to a person who has consistently acted righteously will not entice them to act. In fact, it is this principle that is used in many sting operations. If a clearly illegal act is presented to a righteous person, they will not act. Therefore the police are in their rights to offer an illegal action for it is not a strong temptation to righteous people.
Your past history of righteousness protects you from being involved in wickedness. There are many business opportunities and individual actions which we need to steer clear of or we will be caught in a web of trouble.
but wickedness subverts the sinner
The idea in this phrase is that going beyond the boundaries of the Ten Commandments in order to accomplish something you want will dig tunnels under your path which will eventually cause the whole thing to collapse. It may look like you are getting ahead, but eventually it will come crashing down – in this life and definitely in the life to come.
I think of the person who cheats to save on their taxes and then learns to cheat in other things. At some point they will be caught or key relationships will be destroyed. The smooth road to success you thought you were taking will collapse, and it will end up in a place you don't want to be.
Each of the commandments marks the boundaries of selfish actions that should not be taken to advance your own cause. Remember, the reason is that wickedness seems like progress, but it has rotten timbers over the difficulties in life that will fall eventually.
Commandment 1: Do not use magic, other religions, occult, or secret societies to advance your wealth, position, prestige, reputation, romantic leverage.
Commandment 2: Do not give reverence to other gods, idols, or spirit powers to advance your wealth, position, prestige, reputation, romantic leverage.
Commandment 3: Do not use curses, oaths, or swearing to try and advance your wealth, position, prestige, reputation, romantic leverage.
Commandment 4: Do not refuse to take time to worship God so as to advance your wealth, position, prestige, reputation, romantic leverage.
Commandment 5: Do not rebel from God-given authorities or lead in such a way as it would be impossible for those you lead to value you in order to advance your wealth, position, prestige, reputation, romantic leverage.
Commandment 6: Do not devalue others verbally, emotionally, mentally, physically, or through open violence and intimidation so as to advance your wealth, position, prestige, reputation, romantic leverage.
Commandment 7: Do not promote sensuality and sexual unfaithfulness so as to advance your wealth, position, prestige, reputation, romantic leverage.
Commandment 8: Do not defraud, devalue, or remove other people's property so as to advance your wealth, position, prestige, reputation, romantic leverage.
Commandment 9: Do not gossip, slander, lie, testify falsely, or speak that which is untrue with the view to advancing your wealth, position, prestige, reputation, romantic leverage.
Commandment 10: Do not fixate upon taking the possessions, relationships, employees, or homes of others as though that will be the ultimate way to advance your wealth, position, prestige, reputation, romantic leverage.
Until tomorrow,
Gil Stieglitz