Proverbs 14:2 Commentary and Bible Study

Solomon connects things together which we would not immediately see as connected. The perverse man does not necessarily see his perversity as an act of hatred towards the Lord. He thinks he is making his choices for himself alone, to pursue his own goals without reference to the Lord. He would agree that he has left the Lord out of his reckoning and may even claim to be an atheist, but he sees himself as entirely indifferent towards the Lord. But perversity from God’s standards is itself an act of rebellion for no man can entirely free himself from the awareness that he is under the law of God, and neither can he sin without being aware of who he is sinning against. Sin is a choice which always attempts to overthrow God’s government and cannot be content until he is removed from his throne.Integrity on the other hand is a very remarkable thing, for it is maintained not before men only, but before God. Therefore a man of integrity will keep himself even when he is alone and is seen only by him from whom nothing can be hidden. His every righteous act is an act of reverence for God, an act of submission to God’s will, and he delights to express his love for God in every thought, word, and deed. He knows that those who turn aside to evil cannot escape an eternal punishment of unbearable intensity and infinite hopelessness. He knows the goodness of God who is willing to pour out his grace on lost sinners and bring them into the closest possible relationship with himself. He dare not abuse such kindness, nor ignore a love on which he is eternally dependant. He must have the utmost respect and reverence towards the God who can show such mercy to him.