The wickedness thread from the God Story is extensive. Here are a few of the central elements. The word itself is tied to “working at things which are not just” so there must be distinct departure from the truth to become a “worker of wickedness.” This differs from the sin which is endemic to the entire human race. Sin is our condition of rebellion and separation from our Creator. Wickedness is our choice to reject God and subjugate others.
When one thinks about wicked people usually some sort of injustice comes to mind. Oppression. Human trafficking. Abortion. Taking the life of another. Leveraging impurity for perverted ends or to cause captivity of another fits here as well. Here is a little about the wickedness thread from God’s Word.
Genesis 6:5:
Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. The Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the great I Am.
Deuteronomy 9:4,5
“Do not say in your heart when the Lord your God has driven them out before you, ‘Because of my righteousness the Lord has brought me in to possess this land,’ but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is dispossessing them before you. It is not for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart that you are going to possess their land, but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that I Am driving them out before you, in order to confirm the oath which the I swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”
Psalm 5:4
“For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness and no evil dwells with You. Those who praise themselves shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who practice wickedness.”
Psalm 14:4
“Do not all the workers of wickedness know, those who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon the Lord? These workers are in great dread, for God is with the righteous generation. You will put to shame by the counsel of those who afflict you, but the Lord is your refuge.”
The prophets are loaded with this thread as well!
Hosea 7:2,3; 10:13; Joel 3:13; Habakkuk 1:13; Malachi 3:15
(evil criminals – who escape)
Mark 7:22 and Luke 11:39 describe the ways of evil work.
Romans 1:29 examines “malicious toil in what is evil”
Ephesians 6:12 mirrors “malicious toil in what is evil”
2 Timothy 2:19 speaks about “unrighteous injustice”
James 1:21 describes the “malicious intent” of wickedness
So – none of us can escape the reality or penalty of falling short of the glory of God. This is the condition of sin. We all share this condition. But wickedness appears to be very personal and involves our intentions and choices. When we live the life of a bully (oppressor) we do harm to our “brother.” In turn we are held to these choices by our chosen cords of wickedness. This is what the work of the evil one is all about. He seeks to bind us by our choices for evil.
Idea: Make a quick list of what you have learned about the realities of your condition of sin since your eyes were opened. Then make another list of any wicked things you have done to others in your lifetime. Where have you confessed this to God and found forgiveness.
We are meant to be free from slavery to sin and to others and choose to be “bond slaves” of our great God!
Dave and Burnadette