Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.-Proverbs 13:6
How can you tell if a person has integrity or not? Very simply: by their actions. The person of integrity will lead a life that reflects what is inside their heart. The same is true for those who have chosen not to walk on the path of integrity. James, the brother of Jesus, says it this way: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it-not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it-they will be blessed in what they do” (James 1:22-25 NIV). This is how righteousness guards the person of integrity. They have stored God’s word in their heart so that they can never forget it. It serves as their source of strength when they feel tempted, and when they are going through tough times. The person who has not stored God’s word in their heart doesn’t have this source of strength and that is why wickedness is able to overthrow them. Get closer to God and his righteousness will guard you.