5 Honorable Characteristics of the Upright

Posted on 04/21/2024 by goodnewsfromadistantland — Leave a comment

Being of an upright character is something that all of us should strive for. It is very honorable and respectable to be upright in our character. If we know someone who is upright in their character and behaviour then we tend to want to be like them and learn from them.

Let’s consider what it means to ‘BE upright‘ according to the Scriptures!

Biblical uprightness means walking in a ‘straight‘ way — straight meaning without deviation, not disorderly. In other words, walking in honesty, integrity, and committed to righteous, virtuous behaviour.

These beautiful qualities, as we saw in Lead Me in Your Truth, describe our Creator, the Almighty LORD God (whose Hebrew name is Yahuwah Elohim):

To declare that the LORD (Yahuwah) is upright; He is my rock, and there is NO unrighteousness in Him! (Psalms 92:15)

The LORD (Yahuwah) is righteous in ALL His ways, and holy in ALL His works! (Psalms 145:17)

And the LORD (Yahuwah) passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God (Yahuwah Elohim), merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth! (Exodus 34:6)

Aiming For Uprightness

It is possible to possess the beautiful and honorable character qualities of uprightness! In fact, the LORD God is searching for people with these characteristics:

For the eyes of the LORD (Yahuwah) run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him. (2Chronicles 16:9a)

To have a heart that is ‘perfect’ toward the LORD means to have a heart that is committed to God, that strives to be faithful and truthful to God, earnestly seeking to keep His commandments (1Chronicles 29:19) and be in agreement with His WORD, the Bible.

IF we have a desire to possess the honorable characteristics of the upright, and if God’s Holy Spirit is living within us by way of the New Birth, then the LORD’s amazing grace and mercy is available to strengthen us and help us! With the help of His Holy Spirit, who is A Very Present Help (Psalms 46:1), then He will guide us and strengthen us to walk uprightly!

Let’s look at 5 of the characteristics of the upright, as we see in the Bible.

1. The upright depart from evil! – The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He that guards his way preserves his soul. (Proverbs 16:17)

2. The upright seek to preserve their integrity and honesty! – The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on You O God. (Proverbs 11:3 and Psalms 25:21)

3. The upright speak the truth in their heart, maintaining honesty within themselves! – LORD (Yahuwah), who shall abide in Your tabernacle? who shall dwell in Your holy hill? He that walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart. (Psalms 15:1-2)

4. The upright receive strength and understanding because they walk in the Ways of the LORD God (Yahuwah Elohim)! – The Way of the LORD (Yahuwah) is strength to the upright, but destruction to the workers of iniquity. A man of understanding walks uprightly. (Proverbs 10:29 and Proverbs 15:21b)

5. The upright live according to The Truth of the Gospel by believing and trusting in the Saviour, Jesus Christ (whose Hebrew name is Yahushua Messiah) and in His teachings! – But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to The Truth of the Gospel, I said… (Galatians 2:14a)

The above characteristics of uprightness are beautiful! There is something deep within us that earnestly desires such good and noble qualities!

“It is not learning that makes a man holy and honorable, but a virtuous life makes him pleasing to God.” — Thomas, à Kempis

The Reward of His Goodness

The heavenly Father God WANTS to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose heart is committed to Him, determined to be faithful, truthful, self-LESS, and in agreement with His WORD, the Bible.

If our heart is turned toward the LORD, desiring to honor Him by keeping His Word, living in honesty and integrity, then we will know the reward of His goodness.

For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD (Yahuwah) will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly! (Psalms 84:11)

Father in heaven, thank You for Your perfect Ways and Your wonderful Word! Help me seek You diligently and study and learn Your Word so that I can walk uprightly, walking in Your Ways. Help me delight in Your Ways and seek You first in all that I do. In the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ (Yahushua Messiah), I pray. Amen.

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