Proverbs 10:23–26 – The call to shun wickedness

The last ten verses of Proverbs 10 describe how a wise and a fool differs. In these next ten verses, from 23-32, we see the wicked and the righteous contrasted. Their respective destiny is set forth. Verses 23-26 reveal the actions and results of being wicked and verses 27-32, that of the righteous. We shall prayerfully consider the lessons of verses 27-32. For now in verses 23-26, Solomon gives us four things concerning the wicked that we should give thoughts to and then shun them.

Firstly, the wicked are nonchalant and flippant about sinning. For them to sin is entertainment and they find delight in doing so. Just like a sport enthusiast who gets satisfaction in his sporting activity, a wicked draws delight from the sin he commits. It is a clear display of a person with depleted moral. He does it so often that sinning has become second nature to him and he can be cool about it. On the other end, a wise person is stimulated to live life with prudence. He finds doing so with much ease.  

Secondly, the wicked are troubled by worry. They may treat sin lightly, but at the back of their mind, they have this foreboding that something untoward is looming to happen to them. This often comes to pass. The righteous on the other hand attains what they desire. It is because their godliness helps them to align their desires with the Word of God. Therefore, they are in sync with God’s will and will be granted by God whether now or finally in eternity.   

Thirdly, the wicked are destined to complete destruction. Like the whirlwind that passes so they shall also be no more. Much like houses with weak foundations, they are swept up by tornadoes. Being well-founded, the righteous on the other end, will have resilience and be able to withstand hard and stormy times that come with life.   

Fourthly, the wicked are consistently unpleasant. They are offensive to be around. Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke in the eyes they constantly irritate people around them. They cannot be entrusted with important business in life. They will disappoint the people who assigned them the tasks, because they will not deliver the assignment in good order or good time.  

These descriptions of what the wicked are serve as a clarion call to stay clear of the path of wickedness. It helps to make Psalm 139:23-24 our constant prayer and alignment. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.”