Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 11:5, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
American Standard Version
The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way; But the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
World English Bible version
The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
Proverbs 11:5 Meaning & Commentary
To live righteously and blamelessly is to be on a straight path. This can be looked at in two different ways. Firstly, if we walk in God’s righteousness and blamelessly before Him, we stay in right standing with God and enjoy the fullness of life in Christ. Secondly, although our right standing with God is not based on what we do, there is protection in walking blamelessly. The Bible, specifically the book of Proverbs, often refers to this as Integrity. There is power and protection in walking in integrity, righteousness, and blamelessness.
As the Bible says, this keeps our way straight. If we always do the right thing, there is no need to try and cover anything up or watch what we say; we walk securely and on the straight and narrow path. Wicked people are always watching what they say and trying to cover their tracks. For example, if you tell a lie, you need always to remember what lie was told so that you can keep covering it up. It is just a matter of time before a wicked person is found out, or as Proverbs 11:5 says, their wickedness will catch up with them, and they will fall by their own wickedness.
Because a righteous and blameless person takes heed to walk in a way pleasing to God, they will be looked after by God himself: Proverbs 2:7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity. Can we expect God to look after and protect us when we are not walking in a way that pleases Him? The Bible teaches us that when we put God first and seek His Kingdom and His ways of doing things, then we will take care of all our needs and care for us: Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Application
How then can we practically apply Proverbs 11:5 to our lives?
There are two primary applications here. The first application is our walk with God and being in right standing with Him. The second application is our walk towards others and walking in integrity and in a way that pleases God. Although both are linked, we must remember that we have a responsibility to God and man. As Jesus said, the great commandment is to love God and others: Matthew 22:37-39 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first Commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
We must walk close to God, obey His Word, apply His principles, and love another. Practically speaking, if we had to apply Proverbs 11:5 to our finances (as an example), our responsibility would be to tithe, give offerings, and wisely steward what God has entrusted to us. These would be our responsibilities towards God, which affect our walk with God.
Our responsibility to others would be to keep our taxes up to date, to be generous and give, and not to look down on others who may have less than us, or to look up to others and idolize those who have more than us. This is a practical example of how we can walk righteously in our finances and be blameless. This same principle applies to many other areas of our life as well. As we apply God’s Word and principles to every area of our lives, we will walk securely on the straight and narrow road and have no fear of falling by our wickedness!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for guiding and leading me by Your Word and Your Holy Spirit. Please help me to be sensitive to following you in every area of my life. I know walking with you and being obedient is a sure way to walk securely and successfully. I pray and ask that you would reveal any area of my life which is not surrendered to you and help me to surrender it to you so that I can walk blamelessly before you and before man. I ask this all in Jesus’ name. Amen!
