Pro 14:2 | KingComments | STEP | Here is the contrast between one who fears the LORD and one who despises Him. The life a person leads proves whether he walks with God or not. From a person’s walk, that is, his whole way of life, one can determine what his relationship to God is like (cf. ; ). It is about a habit, a constant behavior, and not an occasional, passing event. “He who walks in his uprightness” does so because he fears God. There is no uprightness of walk without the presence of reverence and awe for God. No water flows without a spring. Grace in the heart is the source of a sincere walk. Samuel is an example of the first line of verse and Saul of the second ( ). “He who is devious in his ways”, that is, deviates from the ways he should go, shows that he does not fear God but, on the contrary, despises Him. To deviate means to depart from keeping the commandments of the LORD. It concerns all his ways, whatever he does, wherever he goes, whatever he thinks and says. He determines it all by himself, without in any way considering God. Again, this is not an occasional occurrence, but an ongoing behavior that shows a constant despising of God. It does not matter whether he is aware of it or not. He who lives his own life despises God Who gave him life to live for Him.

‏ Proverbs 14:2

To Fear the LORD or to Despise Him

Here is the contrast between one who fears the LORD and one who despises Him. The life a person leads proves whether he walks with God or not. From a person’s walk, that is, his whole way of life, one can determine what his relationship to God is like (cf. Lk 6:43-44; Mt 7:20 ; Mt 12:33). It is about a habit, a constant behavior, and not an occasional, passing event.

“He who walks in his uprightness” does so because he fears God. There is no uprightness of walk without the presence of reverence and awe for God. No water flows without a spring. Grace in the heart is the source of a sincere walk. Samuel is an example of the first line of verse and Saul of the second (1Sam 12:1-5 ; 1Sam 15:22).

“He who is devious in his ways”, that is, deviates from the ways he should go, shows that he does not fear God but, on the contrary, despises Him. To deviate means to depart from keeping the commandments of the LORD. It concerns all his ways, whatever he does, wherever he goes, whatever he thinks and says. He determines it all by himself, without in any way considering God. Again, this is not an occasional occurrence, but an ongoing behavior that shows a constant despising of God. It does not matter whether he is aware of it or not. He who lives his own life despises God Who gave him life to live for Him.