The peril of a wicked man
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
Proverbs 6:18
Oxford Advance dictionary defines wicked as being morally bad. The synonym is mischievous; we also have more wicked and most wicked.
A close look at this scripture, to be wicked is doing that which is wrong and unacceptable behavior to man and in the sight of God; it is to know what is right and refuse to do it. There is a difference between a sinner and a wicked man, even though a sinner can be termed wicked. For a sinner to do evil or wickedness is his nature, it is natural for a sinner to do wrong, he does not even see it as wrong. It is the believer who is being transformed by salvation that knows wrong.
The bible uses the word wicked and sinner because they are different. Often time the wicked is used to describe the act of a believer.When he didn’t do what is rightin the sight of God and for the good of others.
But the men of Sodom werewicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly. Genesis 13:13
And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Genesis 18:23
Abraham negotiated with God and asked concerning Sodom and Gomorrah, ‘Will you destroy the righteous and the wicked? He was differentiating the righteous who should not be destroyed, then the righteous who was wicked in nature, those who are doing wrong. That is, ‘God will you destroy the righteous and the wicked; those doing right and wrong together?’He asked God, “If you find five righteous will you still destroy them with the wicked? This is because God judges right and He rewards right attitude and character.
And Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him. Genesis 38:7
Er was term wicked in the sight of the Lord. That is he didn’t do according to God’s will, he worked against the counsel of God.
And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. Exodus 9:27
When Moses was talking about Pharaoh, he mentioned he disobeyed God’s instruction. *Not obeying God’s instruction is an act of wickedness.*To witness or testify lie is an act of wickedness.
Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. Exodus 23:1
Unfortunately, God does not justify a wicked man.
Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked. Exodus 23:7
When Korah, Dathan and Abiram rebelled against Moses, it was seen as an act of wickedness. Wickedness in essence is working against the covenant. A believer trying to be wise in his or her own eyes against the instruction and word of God is practicing wickedness. That is why Moses warned them that there should be no thought of wickedness in their hearts
Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee. Deuteronomy 15:9
When a child of God does not put his skills and talent to make profit and come out of poverty is tagged as wickedness. We see the example of Matthew 25, the parable of the talent. Jesus gave one 5 talents, to another 2 talents and to another 1 talent. Those given 5 and 2 talents multiplied their talents made profit but the one given 1 talent didn’t work according to the expectation of the master because his heart was wicked. He hid it so that people will not benefit from it. Not being a blessing is an act of wickedness, hiding your talent or what could be of benefit unto others or service to God is wickedness unto yourself and not unto God because you are hindering your light from shining
His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Matthew 25:26.
You should note that this servant is a servant of Jesus, one of the trusted disciples but he has mischief in him.Jesus called the man wicked and slothful.
You must understand:
God will always keep the feet of His saint. He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. 1 Samuel 2:9
Those who do wickedness don’t shine as light. You don’t hide your talent and expect to shine as light. Wickedness is a habit that must not follow you into the new year. God does not empower or anoint a wicked man, He anoints those who puts their talents on display. So they can do more.
As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee. 1 Samuel 24:13
He called those who do wrong within the household of faith wicked; those who plan mischievous against the church or individuals are called wicked.
Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them ought of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away, and depart.1 Samuel 30:22
Even David had few of them in his camp that are called wicked. God said among my people are found wicked men.
To excel in the coming year, we must avoid all forms of wickedness. God will establish the just and not the wicked. You cannot afford God’s daily anger.
God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
Psalm 7:11.
Not preaching the gospel, pulling people down and oppressing the poor are acts of wickedness. I pray that we will not be like the wicked who will be cut off from God.
To walk in covenant help, we must learn the act of doing good and service to God.
A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a frowardmouth.Proverbs 6:12
God will always bless the head of the just, but violence will cover the wicked.
The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. Proverbs 10:11
While the labour of the righteous tends to life, the fruit of the wicked leads to sorrow and destruction: their memory is lost and forgotten.
The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
Proverbs 10:16
The tongue of a just man is like a choice gold but the wicked will be ignored by all.
The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth. Proverbs 10:20
The hope of the righteous is gladness, the expectation of the wicked shall perish with them
The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth. Proverbs 10:30
While the righteous are not moved, the wicked will fade away.
The way of the just man is pleasing to God; the wicked shall fall in his own destruction. The wicked not only dies, his hope perish forever.
The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. Proverbs 11:5
When it is well with the righteous, the city rejoice; when the wicked perish there is rejoicing in the land. The wicked man always wrought a deceitful work.
The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. Proverbs 11:18
There is always a sure reward for the just but the wicked shall not go unpunished.
Thoughhand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered. Proverbs 11:21
Jesus was not betrayed by a sinner but a wicked mancalled Judas Iscariot. We must live our lives in such a way God will have joy and enact a covenant with us as He did with David and as David and Jonathan’s did.
Like Psalm 37:3,
Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
To do good is an act of righteousness. God honours and respect men that do good.
Apostle Lawrence Achudume is General Overseer Victory Life Bible Church
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