The way of the wicked leads them astray

Why does the way of those who do evil and who walk outside the will of God make them err? Because they only think about doing what their heart tells them. If your heart tells them to kill, steal, or harm your neighbor, then they do this without thinking.

Diligent hands will rule,
but laziness ends in forced labor.

Proverbs 12:24

We are talking about that really there are people who are diligent and act before the evil comes to their doors, but there are others who are negligent, because evil comes and reaches them, and this is due to those who only do what their heart tells them, and walking according to their own wisdom.

The foolish man can achieve mercy if he turns away from the bad, but those who do not leave that way will always be in ruins and the enemy will come and destroy them because they do not take away from the Holy Word of God.

Anxiety weighs down the heart,
but a kind word cheers it up.

Proverbs 12:25

When we speak of the word anxiety, we are referring to a bad thought or a heart full of lies and deceptions, for which it will always be afflicted.

But if you turn away from the lies and do the right thing before God, your heart will not suffer affliction, nor will you feel sad, for which your whole being will change and you will be full of joy all the time.

The righteous choose their friends carefully,
but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Proverbs 12:26

The righteous will never bring sadness to his neighbor, but every day brings a word of encouragement, salvation, restoration, joy, and his work always will be based on doing good and leading the lost people to the path of salvation.

The path of the wicked is shaped by a heart that has not been transformed by God. Human nature, apart from divine grace, is deceitful and corrupt. When people follow only the impulses of their hearts, they easily fall into sin, because the heart without God does not seek righteousness—it seeks self-gratification. Scripture teaches us that the heart can lead a person into darkness when it is not guided by the wisdom of the Lord. This is why evil seems natural to those who live apart from God: their decisions are driven by desires that are not aligned with His truth.

Proverbs 12:24 contrasts diligence with laziness to show us the fruit of wisdom versus foolishness. The diligent person prepares, works, and acts with purpose. This kind of person avoids many dangers because they watch, pray, and remain alert. In contrast, the negligent person becomes a prisoner of their own carelessness. Laziness leaves the door open for destruction—spiritual, emotional, and even physical. The one who refuses to walk in God’s wisdom eventually faces forced labor, consequences, and hardship.

But even the foolish person is not beyond hope. God’s mercy is available to those who turn away from evil. Repentance opens the door to restoration. However, those who cling to their sinful path will continue to fall deeper into ruin. Without the guidance of Scripture, they become easy prey for the enemy. A life not anchored in God’s Word is vulnerable to lies, deceit, and spiritual collapse.

Anxiety, as Proverbs 12:25 describes, weighs heavily on the heart. It drains strength, clouds judgment, and fills life with fear. Anxiety often comes from believing lies—lies about ourselves, our future, or God’s character. When the heart is filled with deception, it becomes sick and burdened. But a kind word—especially a word rooted in the truth of God—lifts the spirit, restores hope, and brings peace. God’s Word is full of such healing truth.

When a person turns away from falsehood and begins to live according to God’s righteousness, everything changes. Joy replaces sadness. Peace replaces fear. Strength replaces weakness. A heart aligned with God becomes light, hopeful, and full of gratitude. Joy becomes a permanent companion when the soul walks in obedience and truth.

Proverbs 12:26 reminds us of the importance of companionship. The righteous choose their friends carefully because they know that the people around them influence their path. A righteous person encourages, comforts, teaches, and guides others toward salvation. A wicked person, however, leads others onto a path of destruction. The company we keep shapes our character, our decisions, and ultimately our destiny.

Therefore, the calling of the righteous is clear: to walk wisely, to speak words that bring healing, to guide others toward Christ, and to live in a way that reflects God’s righteousness. Their steps bring light wherever they go, and their lives testify to the grace of the One who transformed their hearts.