Upright vs Perverted

Proverbs 10:9-10 He that walks uprightly walks surely: but he that perverted his ways shall be known. He that winks with the eye causes sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall. 

‘Walks uprightly walks surely.’ He is never afraid of detection, because he never acts in deceit. Twelve characteristics of the righteous: They walk uprightly – without blame. They work righteousness. They speak truth inwardly. They are free from backbiting (Ps. 15:3). They do no evil to neighbours. They receive no reproach about neighbours. They hold vile people condemned (Ps. 15:4). They honour them that fear the Lord. They keep their word even to own hurt. They take no advantage of one in need to increase riches (Ps. 15:5). They refuse bribes. They protect the innocent.

‘But he that perverts his ways shall be known.’ Folly is a joy to fools, but wise men walk sensibly (15:21). Proverbs 28:18 states that he that walks uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once. This is the secret of being saved or backsliding.

Two examples of being discovered: Korah and company (Num. 16:1-50). Diotrephes (3Jn. 1:9-10)

Korah the Levite, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath (Ex. 6:18, 21, 24), began a rebellion against Moses, with Dathan and Abiram cooperating, because they wanted more authority in the congregation and contended that Moses and Aaron had too much. They caused 250 of Israel’s chief princes to rebel (Num. 16:1-3). Ultimately, 14,700 died (Num. 16:49) besides the original rebels and their families (Num. 16:29-34), and the 250 princes (Num. 16:35). Perhaps Korah felt slighted because Elizaphan, who was of the younger branch of Kohathites, was made head of all Kohathites (Num. 3:27, 30). Korah camped among the Kohathites next to Reuben on the south of the tabernacle which made it convenient to talk over grievances. Reubenites were perhaps discontented because their birthright had been taken away from them and they had not been given what they considered their proper place among the tribes. Korah’s object was not to abolish the distinction between the Levites and the people, but to win the priesthood for himself and his kinsmen (Num. 16:10). This design was hidden under the pretext that all the people were holy and should be equal.

Who Diotrephes was is unknown. Regarding character, he is known as being proud, ambitious, exclusive, malicious, inhospitable, despotic, and rebellious against apostolic authority (3Jn. 1:9-10).