I often look at the Christian walk as a two-pronged effort: There’s doing what’s right and there’s abstaining from doing what’s wrong. First, the “right” things; things we do that please God such as proactively loving others, working on our relationship with God like fasting, bible reading and prayer. Then there is the abstaining from doing what is wrong, which basically boils down to turning away from anything that is sinful - be it in our heart, mind or actions. Proverbs reminds us that we are to strive to be blameless in his sight. In chapter 11 verse 20 it says:
"The Lord detests men of perverse heart but he delights in those whose ways are blameless."
I believe being “blameless” is keeping sin, that we willingly commit, out of our lives. Some people struggle more with sin, and others struggle more with being proactive in their faith. Both are things that we need to keep in check. The bible reminds us that God prefers obedience over sacrifice – referring to when the Israelites had to sacrifice animals for forgiveness. But I think this principle may also apply here; that God wants us to avoid doing what is wrong, or being blameless, over doing what is right, which is proactive right living. There is no question that both are important, but Proverbs 11:20 focuses on being blameless.
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Proverbs reminds us that God detests a perverse heart – which is a heart that loves sin. But he delights in those whose ways are blameless. Blamelessness comes with a huge dose of self-control fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit. God can change our perverse heart so that we are blameless before him. The more and more we abstain from doing what is wrong, and keep ourselves away from things that tempt us in those areas, the easier it is sure to get over time.