The Path of the righteous vs. the wicked Proverbs 4 · Join the Journey

This year, at the Grand Canyon, because of some construction on some of the main trails people have had to use alternat hiking routs. In may they had 13 helicopter rescues in one week and two hikers have died. If hikers ignore the posted warning signs that say “Trail Closed – Danger Ahead.” Thinking they could handle it and wanting a shortcut. What should have been a scenic hike ended in tragedy—all because they chose to walk a path clearly marked as dangerous.

That’s what Solomon is warning his son about in Proverbs 4. Life is full of paths—some that look exciting but are deadly, and others that may seem harder at first but lead to life. The father says, “Don’t even set foot on the path of the wicked. Avoid it, turn from it, and keep walking.”

We wouldn’t ignore a trail sign that says “Cliff Ahead.” Yet many of us do the same thing spiritually. We tell ourselves, “I’ll just see how far I can go,” instead of listening to God’s warning. Proverbs 4 is the caution sign: Don’t flirt with temptation—choose the path of wisdom.

Last week we saw the value of wisdom. We said that in order to position our hearts and minds to receive wisdom, we need to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not lean on ourselves, humble ourselves, honor God with our money, and accept the Lord’s discipline because He loves us.

Today we’re going to see the two paths laid out before each of us: the path of the righteous and the path of the wicked. And we’ll find some practical steps to avoid the pitfalls and keep our feet on the path of the righteous.

But let’s start with the path of the wicked.

If you have your Bibles, turn with me to Proverbs 4. If you don’t have one, we’ve got some on the back table. If you’re looking for Proverbs, it’s on the left side in the Old Testament. Right after Psalms and right before Ecclesiastes.

Proverbs 4:14–15

The father is passing on wisdom to his son, just as his father had done for him. At the start of this chapter, he tells his son to listen to his instruction and gain understanding just as he did from his father.

He warns his son not to even set a foot on the path of the wicked. He isn’t just telling him to resist evil when it comes but to actively avoid it altogether. The language is urgent: don’t walk in their ways, avoid it, turn from it. This isn’t passive advice—it’s a command to be proactive against sin.

If you’re driving down the road and see a sign that says, “Bridge Out Ahead,” you don’t say, “Well, let’s see how far we can make it before it gives out.” No—you turn around. To keep going is foolish and dangerous. That’s what the father is saying here: don’t test how close you can get to sin. Avoid it. Turn away from it.

This means we don’t flirt with temptation. We don’t dabble in sin thinking we can handle it. We set boundaries and stick to them.

Hebrews 12:1–2 says:

Hebrews 12:1–2

“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

Throw it off. Get rid of it. 1 Corinthians says, “Flee from sexual immorality” and “Flee from idolatry.” 2 Timothy says, “Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness.” The idea in Proverbs—and all of Scripture—is that we are to actively avoid wickedness. Don’t even put your hand in the fire to see if it will burn.

When I was about 5 or 6, I remember my dad telling my brother not to touch the stove because it was still hot. Did my brother listen? Nope. He put his hand right on the red-hot burner and burned the mess out of his hand. Friends, actively avoid wickedness. It’s hot and it will burn you up.

Some of us need to set boundaries with places, situations, or habits that keep pulling us into sin and away from God. Some of us need to put blocks on our phones and computers. Some of us need accountability from a brother or sister in Christ. Some of us need to decide that we’re not going to that place anymore. Some may even need to step away from certain relationships.

Friends, don’t even put a foot on that road. The best way to defeat temptation is to avoid it. What you avoid today will shape who you become tomorrow.

This is what the wicked are like.

Proverbs 4:16–17, 19

Proverbs 4:16–17

They thrive on wickedness and violence. It’s not enough for them to do evil themselves—they want to drag others down with them. Scripture warns us: don’t walk in their ways. Avoid them. Turn away. Stay out of the darkness and live in the light so you won’t stumble.

We have seen the path of wackiness played out on a public stage over the last number of weeks. Between school shootings, too Charlie Kirk’s assignation. This the path of the wicked. They thrive on wickedness and violence. We don’t have to look far to see not only them doing evil but then those that have walked down the path of wickedness looking to bring others with them.

Friends, don’t even set one foot on that path. The way of the righteous stands in sharp contrast.

Proverbs 4:18

Where the path of the wicked is dark, the path of the righteous is bright. It is marked by wisdom and understanding.

To avoid the path of the wicked and stay on the path of the righteous, we need wisdom.

Proverbs 4:5–9

Get wisdom, get understanding—no matter what it costs you. Do you hear the contrast in the language? With wickedness: don’t walk in it, avoid it, turn from it. With wisdom: get it, don’t forsake it, love it, cherish it, embrace it. Flee from wickedness, but find and hold on to wisdom.

If you do, wisdom will protect you, watch over you, exalt you, and honor you. Don’t let wisdom out of your sight. Keep it in your heart. It will be life to you. Your path will be straight and illuminated. Wisdom will lead you.

Proverbs 4:10–13

The path of the wicked is dark, but the path of the righteous is illumined by wisdom. With wickedness we stumble, but with wisdom we run without stumbling.

These two paths stand before each and every one of us. Which path will you take?

If you want the path of righteousness, then get wisdom. Seek wisdom. Value wisdom. Obey wisdom. Guard wisdom.

1. Seek wisdom intentionally

Wisdom doesn’t just fall into your lap—it’s something you pursue. Solomon says, “Get wisdom!” Remember, godly wisdom is valuable and rare, but God gives it freely. We gain wisdom by reading God’s Word daily, listening to godly counsel, and making time for growth. You won’t stumble into wisdom—you have to seek it.

👉 Application: Set aside time this week to open your Bible—not just for a quick verse of the day, but to really listen to what God says. Be like the Bereans in Acts 17 who examined Scripture daily.

2. Value wisdom highly

Solomon compares wisdom to treasure worth guarding. We protect what we love—our phones, cars, retirement accounts. Do we treat God’s wisdom with that same value?

👉 Application: Evaluate what you give your best energy and attention to. Start shifting some of that focus to God’s wisdom. Maybe trade 10 minutes of scrolling for 10 minutes in Proverbs.

3. Obey wisdom consistently

Wisdom isn’t just knowing the right thing—it’s doing it. Wisdom is knowledge applied. Solomon warns about the path of the wicked. True wisdom shows up in daily decisions, where we choose God’s way over the easy way.

Psalm 119:9–11 says:

Psalms 119:9–11

“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

👉 Application: Think of one area of your life where you know what God’s wisdom says, but you’ve been resisting it. This week, take one step of obedience.

4. Guard it carefully

Later in this chapter Solomon says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (v. 23). Wisdom shapes your heart and directs your life, so we must guard what influences us.

👉 Application: Audit your influences: the media you consume, the voices you listen to, the people you imitate. Are they pulling you toward God’s wisdom or away from it? Make one change this week to guard your heart.

Seek wisdom intentionally. Value it highly. Obey it consistently. Guard it carefully. It will shape everything you do.

Proverbs 4:25–27

These two paths are before you. Which will you choose? The path of the wicked or the path of righteousness? One is dark and full of stumbling. The other is bright and full of life. Keep your feet from evil, give careful thought to your path, fix your eyes straight ahead.

But we don’t just have wisdom to guide us. We have the pioneer and perfecter of our faith who has gone before us—Jesus.

Hebrews 12:2–3:

Hebrews 12:2

“For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Jesus endured the cross for you and for me. He has provided the only other option. Because the truth is—we’ve all chosen the path of wickedness. And we deserve the end of that path: death, eternal separation from God.

But Jesus has given us another way, paid for by his death and resurrection.

So here’s the question: will you come and start on the path Jesus has provided? Will you die with Jesus to your sins, repent, and meet Him in baptism? Will you allow Him to raise you to a new way of living today?