ARE YOU A WICKED PERSON?
ARE YOU A WICKED PERSON?
Is it easy to profile a wicked person? Before you answer, please let me clarify the word “wicked” here. In formal English it means evil or morally wrong. While informally or as a slang, it actually means good or excellent. Funny isn’t it? That the same word would have two contradictory meanings. Well for the purpose of this article, we are talking about the “wicked” that means evil or morally wrong. So I ask again; can you easily identify someone who is wicked?
I want to believe that most of us will say “No”. And that should be so as there is no sign hovering over the heads of people that labels them as wicked. But when they get involved in evil deeds then there is no hiding place. Their wickedness stands out clearly for all to see.
However I found that according to the word of God being called “wicked” embraces a whole lot of things that ordinarily one would overlook as such. For instance the one who does not seek after God is said to be wicked and so is the one who does not put God in their thoughts. “The wicked will not seek after God. God is not in his thoughts.” Psalm 10:4 KJV The servant who did not invest the talent given to him was called wicked. “You wicked servant!’ the king roared. ‘Your own words condemn you. If you knew that I’m a hard man who takes what isn’t mine and harvests crops I didn’t plant, why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’” Luke 19:22 NLT When we are not using our God – given talents for the Glory of God, to advance the gospel or for the good of others, we are called wicked. “Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander.” Proverbs 17:4 NLT It seems that whenever we are in a hurry to go and hear juicy details of some scandal or other, we are being wicked! Ladies watch the gist sessions, please. Let us not get caught up in acts of wickedness. Failure to trust God is an act of wickedness too. “Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.” Psalms 32: 10 NLT Whenever we forward news or stories on social media without verifying their authenticity we just might be labelled as wicked. So watch what you post and what you forward. For this is the word of God about that. “You must not pass along false rumours. You must not cooperate with evil people by lying on the witness stand.” Exodus 23: 1 NLT These are some of the things we do that make us wicked.
To understand the gravity of being tagged a wicked person, one must first know the way God feels about “wickedness”. The simple truth is that the Lord detests evil. This is what He says“..but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth.” Psalms 34: 16 NLT and that “…but they will be destroyed suddenly, broken in an instant beyond all hope of healing.” Proverbs 6:15 NLT Clearly God does not deal kindly with wicked people. In fact He is not pleased with them at all. “God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked everyday.” Psalms 7: 11 KJV If you are angry with someone everyday would you want to do anything good for them? Would you even want to see them? Certainly not! And so it is with God who wants nothing to do with wicked people. He actually hides away from them and their cries cannot get to Him. “Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore. Your hands are the hands of murderers, and your fingers are filthy with sin. Your lips are full of lies, and your mouth spews corruption.” Isaiah 59: 1-3 NLT Wicked people will not have access to God.
But God is calling out to us now. We do not have to face His wrath or perish in our wickedness. “Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.” Isaiah 55:7NLT He goes further to tell us “As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?” Ezekiel 33:11 NLT
Going by some of the things that scripture refers to as acts of wickedness, anyone could easily be labelled a wicked person. Let us then be very careful and bridle our tongues, so that our words will always edify. Let us tread carefully and think twice before acting. And as it is written; “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12 English Standard Version
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