Topical Bible: Character of the Wicked: Evildoers

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The Bible provides a comprehensive portrayal of the character of the wicked, often referred to as evildoers. These individuals are depicted as those who actively oppose God's will and engage in actions that are contrary to His commandments. The Scriptures offer numerous insights into their nature, behaviors, and ultimate fate.

Nature and Behaviors of Evildoers

1. Rebellion Against God: Evildoers are characterized by their rebellion against God and His laws. They reject divine authority and choose to follow their own paths. In Psalm 10:13, the psalmist notes, "Why has the wicked man renounced God? He says to himself, 'You will never call me to account.'"

2. Deceit and Falsehood: Deception is a hallmark of the wicked. They are often described as liars and deceivers, using their words to manipulate and harm others. Proverbs 12:5 states, "The plans of the righteous are just, but the counsel of the wicked leads to deceit."

3. Violence and Oppression: Evildoers are frequently associated with violence and oppression. They exploit the vulnerable and use their power to harm others. Psalm 37:14-15 illustrates this: "The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken."

4. Pride and Arrogance: Pride is a defining trait of the wicked. They exalt themselves above others and often boast of their own achievements. Proverbs 21:4 describes this attitude: "Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin."

5. Hatred of Righteousness: Evildoers are often in direct opposition to those who pursue righteousness. They despise the ways of the just and seek to undermine them. Proverbs 29:27 states, "An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked."

Consequences for Evildoers

1. Divine Judgment: The Bible consistently affirms that evildoers will face divine judgment. Their actions do not go unnoticed by God, and they will be held accountable. Psalm 37:9 warns, "For the evildoers will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land."

2. Lack of Peace: Evildoers are often depicted as lacking true peace and contentment. Isaiah 48:22 declares, "'There is no peace,' says the LORD, 'for the wicked.'"

3. Ultimate Destruction: The fate of the wicked is ultimately one of destruction. Their temporary success and prosperity are fleeting, and they will face ruin. Proverbs 24:20 states, "For the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished."

4. Separation from God: The wicked are separated from God due to their sin and rebellion. This separation is both spiritual and eternal. 2 Thessalonians 1:9 describes their fate: "They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might."

Call to Repentance

Despite the grim portrayal of evildoers, the Bible also extends a call to repentance. God desires that all turn from their wicked ways and seek His forgiveness. Ezekiel 18:23 expresses this divine longing: "Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn't I prefer he turn from his ways and live?" This call to repentance underscores the hope and redemption available through faith and obedience to God.

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Jeremiah 13:23
Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may you also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.
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Micah 7:3
That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asks, and the judge asks for a reward; and the great man, he utters his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.
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Library

The Many-Sided Contrast of Wisdom and Folly
... If a good man's son continues his father's character, he will ... which follows after
vain things, is really wicked lusting for ... 'The net of evildoers' is better ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the many-sided contrast of wisdom.htm

Persecution in the First Centuries
... or honorary titles, they were a terror to evildoers wherever their character and
doctrines were known. Therefore they were hated by the wicked, even as Abel ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 2 persecution in the.htm

And Since Celsus Has Termed the Apostles of Jesus Men of Infamous ...
... gatherers and sailors of the vilest character, we have ... statement that the apostles
were notoriously wicked men, it ... of sin than all other evildoers." [3193] And ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxiii and since celsus.htm

Job
... justice, asserts the sure destruction of evildoers, but implicitly ... of the doom of
the wicked, xxvii.7 ... of the principles that governed his conduct and character. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/job.htm

Of the Sacrifices Offered to God by the Saints, which are to be ...
... all sin, the only instance of which character was found ... I will be a swift witness
against evildoers and against ... in the thoughts of the wicked His examination ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 26 of the sacrifices offered.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Operation
... the various graces of the Christian character, "love, joy ... Upon the wicked God exerts
a restraining, softening, directing ... of evil-doing and of evildoers has been ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter six the sovereignty of.htm

Germantown, Pennsylvania.
... etc." (Jacobs, 191.) Concerning the thrifty character and all ... liberty of ye body,
except of evildoers which is ... slaves (which they say are so wicked and stubborn ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/germantown pennsylvania.htm

Chapter xix
... the final overthrow of the wicked and impenitent ... the depraved lusts of these evildoers
stresses that ... Luther's attempts to vindicate Lot's character are quite ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xix.htm

"The House of Israel"
... Solemnly evildoers were warned of the day of judgment ... and their false conceptions
of His character and mission ... He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 59 the house of.htm

The Feeblest Essay in the Volume is the First. ...
... Certain withering denunciations of "a wicked and adulterous ... Youth, in allusion to
his character and conduct ... with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/i the feeblest essay in.htm