Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked (Proverbs 25:26).

Righteousness cannot be done half-heartedly.  As with any water supply, even the slightest bit of contamination makes the supply "contaminated."  Think about a tall glass (let's say half a liter) of crystal-clear ice-water; and then think about just the tiniest bit of dog poop (let's say 5 miligrams) stirred in.  Would you drink that water???  Or what if a local chemical company knocked on your door to say that the local water supply -- the water that feeds into your home -- had been compromised by a leak at the plant?  What if they stood there on your doorstep, reassuring you that it was really just a very tiny bit of spillage and seepage, and that it was "probably nothing to worry about at all?"  Would you say, "Ah, it's no big deal; don't worry about it"?  No!  Of course not!  Contamination is something to be taken very seriously.

Likewise, a lifetime of good choices can be easily overshadowed by a single bad choice, when the righteous person gives way to the wicked -- even if it's just a momentary lapse.

Of course, it's important to remember that we are offered forgiveness and absolution of sin through Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross (see Romans 3:21-24 -- or, even better, read all of Romans chapters 3, 4, and 5 to get some idea of the incredible offer for a fresh start with God, even after a lifetime of mistakes).  It's a great relief to know that such instant justification is available to us, which Solomon did not yet know or fully understand.  Even so, it's also true that each choice we make carries significance.

This verse challenges me -- in a good way.  It makes sure that I cannot ever rest on my laurels.  Or that I am somehow above the temptations of "common man," no matter how long I have been faithfully following God.  Rather, I daily have to ask myself:  How am I going to respond the next time I experience pressure (internal or external) to fudge things a bit?  How will I react when the wicked are all up in my face, trying to bully my life in a certain direction?  It only takes a little bit of dog crap to ruin the ice-water.