Are You Froward or Upright?

[Book of Jeremiah]

Are you froward or Upright?

It is written:

A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; Forwardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
Proverbs 6:12-14

Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
Proverbs 4:24

In this study by Connie Giordano we learn what it is to be "froward" and what it is to be "upright." It is a wonderful study to use in examining our hearts according to God's Holy Written Word.

In this study, Connie begins with a quote from Matthew Henry. Here is part of another commentary on the subject of forwardness:

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
Put away from thee a froward mouth,.... A mouth speaking froward and perverse things; things contrary to right reason, to the law of God, and Gospel of Christ; blasphemies against God or men; every thing that is untrue, unchaste, unjust, foolish, and filthy; all swearing, lying, and everything that is repugnant to truth and justice.

Are You Froward Or Upright?

"Nothing is more offensive to God than hypocrisy and double-dealing..."
- Matthew Henry

If you are "froward" with God, then God will be "froward" with you. What does this mean? Is it a good thing?

Absolutely not! What this Scripture is saying is that those who are "froward" - who pervert or twist the words of others from their true meaning...who are deceitful in their conduct or not straightforward in their dealings...who take advantage of circumstances to impose on others... who are sour, unyielding, harsh, or unkind...and who resist God and walk contrary to Him - these are the ones with whom God contends. In other words, because they walk contrary to Him, He, in turn, walks contrary to them.

See the red-lettered link above for further reading.