Uprightness, in biblical terms, refers to a life characterized by moral integrity, righteousness, and adherence to God's commandments. Those who walk in uprightness are often contrasted with the wicked, who reject God's ways and live in opposition to His will. The Bible frequently highlights the tension between the upright and the wicked, emphasizing that the righteous are often targets of animosity and persecution by those who reject God's truth.

Biblical Foundation of Uprightness

The concept of uprightness is deeply rooted in the Scriptures. Proverbs 11:3 states, "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them." This verse underscores the guiding principle of integrity that characterizes the upright, setting them apart from the wicked, whose lives are marked by deceit and destruction.

Psalm 37:37 further affirms, "Consider the blameless and observe the upright, for a posterity awaits the man of peace." Here, the psalmist encourages believers to observe the lives of the upright, promising a future of peace and blessing for those who walk in righteousness.

Hatred from the Wicked

The Bible acknowledges that those who walk in uprightness will face hatred and opposition from the wicked. Proverbs 29:27 declares, "An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked." This mutual detestation highlights the inherent conflict between the two paths—righteousness and wickedness.

Jesus Himself warned His followers of the world's hatred in John 15:18-19 : "If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world." This passage reveals that the hatred directed towards the upright is a reflection of the world's rejection of Christ and His teachings.

Examples of Uprightness and Persecution

Throughout the Bible, there are numerous examples of individuals who walked in uprightness and faced persecution from the wicked. Daniel, known for his unwavering faith and integrity, was targeted by jealous officials who sought to destroy him (Daniel 6). Despite their schemes, God delivered Daniel from the lions' den, demonstrating His protection over the upright.

Similarly, the prophet Jeremiah faced intense opposition and hatred for proclaiming God's truth to a rebellious nation. In Jeremiah 20:10 , he laments, "For I have heard the whispering of many: 'Terror on every side! Report him; let us report him!' All my friends are waiting for me to slip, saying, 'Perhaps he will be deceived, and we will prevail against him and take our revenge on him.'" Despite the hostility, Jeremiah remained steadfast in his commitment to God's message.

Encouragement for the Upright

The Bible offers encouragement to those who walk in uprightness, assuring them of God's presence and ultimate justice. Psalm 34:19 promises, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all." This assurance of deliverance provides hope and strength to endure the trials and hatred from the wicked.

Moreover, 1 Peter 3:14 encourages believers, "But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. 'Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.'" This exhortation reminds the upright that suffering for righteousness is a mark of blessing and that they should not fear the opposition of the wicked.

In summary, the Bible presents uprightness as a path marked by integrity and righteousness, often leading to animosity from the wicked. Yet, those who walk in uprightness are assured of God's protection, deliverance, and ultimate vindication.Proverbs 29:10
The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Amos 5:10
They hate him that rebukes in the gate, and they abhor him that speaks uprightly.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... froward things, who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in ... to one parte or other,
that thou walk in the ... See whether they be really come to thee, or thou to ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

The Testament of Gad Concerning Hatred.
... your souls, and love one another with uprightness of heart. ... these things to your
children, that they honour Judah ... shall depart from them, and shall walk in all ...
/.../the testaments of the twelve patriarchs/ix the testament of gad concerning.htm

Separating the Precious from the Vile
... principles, anal does not stand up for the uprightness and integrity ... to magnify the
flaw as much as ever they can. ... we live close to Christ, that we walk in his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/separating the precious from the.htm

Mason -- Messiah's Throne
... that He is God"that we are to "walk by faith"; and ... and done, every one of them, in
truth and uprightness. ... They shall discover, in our Jesus, the marks of the ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/mason messiahs throne.htm

Faith and Repentance Inseparable
... in business they wink at departures from uprightness, and consider ... and to the winds,
"Be calm,", and they were quiet ... believes in Christ; and as we walk by faith ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/faith and repentance inseparable.htm

Paul's Departure and Crown;
... that was continually in the heart of those that hated him, to ... that good old couple
also, how tender and doubtful were they in this matter, to walk 'in all ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/pauls departure and crown.htm

One Thing is Needful;
... of folly talk; My eyes to vanity hath gone, Thus did I vainly walk. 71. ... [OF UPRIGHTNESS
AND SINCERITY ... are but a shade, and show Of those or that they signify to ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/one thing is needful.htm

Trials of the Christian
... foes in the dark; his discovering the uprightness of the ... before the temptation comes,
think we can walk upon the ... the martyrs did to the stake they were burned ...
/.../bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xiv trials of the christian.htm

Covenant Duties.
... be prosperous in which the wicked walk on every ... reformation, and, if accompanied
by uprightness of deportment ... Rulers greatly miscalculate when they reckon as ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iv covenant duties.htm

The Letter of the Church of Rome
... purblind in his faith, and ceased to walk by the ... Maintain innocence and have an eye
for uprightness, for a ... or their own deeds or the right things they did, but ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the letter of the church.htm

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