Wicked Neighbors
Jump to: SubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the term "wicked neighbors" refers to individuals or groups living in proximity who act in ways contrary to God's commandments, often leading others into sin or causing harm. The Bible provides numerous examples and warnings about the influence and consequences of wicked neighbors.

Biblical Examples:

1. Jeremiah's Prophecy Against Wicked Neighbors:
The prophet Jeremiah speaks directly about wicked neighbors in Jeremiah 12:14 : "This is what the LORD says: 'As for all My wicked neighbors who seize the inheritance I gave My people Israel, I will uproot them from their land, and I will uproot the house of Judah from among them.'" Here, God warns of judgment against those who encroach upon the inheritance of His people, highlighting the divine protection over Israel and the consequences for those who act wickedly against them.

2. The Influence of Neighboring Nations:
Throughout the Old Testament, Israel is repeatedly warned against adopting the practices of neighboring nations, which are often described as wicked. For instance, in Deuteronomy 18:9 , God instructs the Israelites: "When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there." The surrounding nations often practiced idolatry and other abominations, and God cautioned His people to remain separate and holy.

3. The Parable of the Good Samaritan:
In the New Testament, Jesus uses the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) to illustrate the concept of being a good neighbor, contrasting it with the behavior of those who neglect or harm others. While not explicitly about "wicked neighbors," the parable underscores the importance of love and compassion, implicitly condemning the opposite behavior.

Characteristics of Wicked Neighbors:

1. Deceptive and Treacherous:
Wicked neighbors are often characterized by deceit and betrayal. Proverbs 3:29 advises, "Do not plot harm against your neighbor who lives trustfully beside you." This highlights the expectation of trust and the sinfulness of betrayal.

2. Envious and Covetous:
Envy and covetousness are common traits of wicked neighbors. In Micah 2:2 , it is written, "They covet fields and seize them; they also take houses. They defraud a man of his home, a fellow man of his inheritance." Such actions are condemned as they violate the commandment against coveting (Exodus 20:17).

3. Slanderous and Malicious:
Wicked neighbors may engage in slander and malicious talk. Psalm 101:5 states, "Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not endure." This verse reflects God's disdain for those who harm others with their words.

Warnings and Instructions:

1. Avoidance and Separation:
Believers are often instructed to avoid close association with wicked neighbors to prevent being led astray. Proverbs 24:1 advises, "Do not envy wicked men or desire their company."

2. Pursuit of Peace:
Romans 12:18 encourages, "If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone." While believers are to strive for peace, they must also remain vigilant against the corrupting influence of wickedness.

3. Trust in Divine Justice:
The Bible assures that God will ultimately judge and deal with wicked neighbors. Psalm 37:1-2 reminds believers, "Do not fret over those who do evil; do not envy those who do wrong. For they will wither quickly like grass and fade like the green herb."

In summary, the Bible provides clear guidance on recognizing and responding to wicked neighbors, emphasizing the importance of maintaining righteousness and trusting in God's justice.
Subtopics

The Wicked are Compared to Abominable Branches

The Wicked are Compared to Ashes Under the Feet

The Wicked are Compared to Bad Fishes

The Wicked are Compared to Beasts

The Wicked are Compared to Blind, The

The Wicked are Compared to Brass and Iron

The Wicked are Compared to Briars and Thorns

The Wicked are Compared to Bulls of Bashan

The Wicked are Compared to Carcasses Trodden Under Feet

The Wicked are Compared to Chaff

The Wicked are Compared to Clouds Without Water

The Wicked are Compared to Corn Blasted

The Wicked are Compared to Corrupt Trees

The Wicked are Compared to Deaf Adders

The Wicked are Compared to Dogs

The Wicked are Compared to Dross

The Wicked are Compared to Early Dew That Passes Away

The Wicked are Compared to Evil Figs

The Wicked are Compared to Fading Oaks

The Wicked are Compared to Fiery Oven

The Wicked are Compared to Fire of Thorns

The Wicked are Compared to Fools Building Upon Sand

The Wicked are Compared to Fuel of Fire

The Wicked are Compared to Garden Without Water

The Wicked are Compared to Goats

The Wicked are Compared to Grass

The Wicked are Compared to Grass on the Housetop

The Wicked are Compared to Green Bay-Trees

The Wicked are Compared to Green Herbs

The Wicked are Compared to Heath in the Desert

The Wicked are Compared to Horses Rushing Into the Battle

The Wicked are Compared to Idols

The Wicked are Compared to Lions Greedy of Prey

The Wicked are Compared to Melting Wax

The Wicked are Compared to Morning-Clouds

The Wicked are Compared to Moth-Eaten Garments

The Wicked are Compared to Passing Whirlwinds

The Wicked are Compared to Potsherds

The Wicked are Compared to Raging Waves of the Sea

The Wicked are Compared to Reprobate Silver

The Wicked are Compared to Scorpions

The Wicked are Compared to Serpents

The Wicked are Compared to Smoke

The Wicked are Compared to Stony Ground

The Wicked are Compared to Stubble

The Wicked are Compared to Swine

The Wicked are Compared to Tares

The Wicked are Compared to Troubled Sea

The Wicked are Compared to Visions of the Night

The Wicked are Compared to Wandering Stars

The Wicked are Compared to Wayward Children

The Wicked are Compared to Wells Without Water

The Wicked are Compared to Wheels

The Wicked are Compared to Whited Sepulchres

The Wicked are Compared to Wild Donkey's Colt

Wicked

Wicked (People): Compared With: A Wild Donkey's Colts

Wicked (People): Compared With: Abominable Branches

Wicked (People): Compared With: Animals

Wicked (People): Compared With: Ashes Under the Feet

Wicked (People): Compared With: Bad Figs

Wicked (People): Compared With: Bad Fish

Wicked (People): Compared With: Blind People

Wicked (People): Compared With: Briers Add Thorns

Wicked (People): Compared With: Bronze and Iron

Wicked (People): Compared With: Carcasses Trodden Underfoot

Wicked (People): Compared With: Chaff

Wicked (People): Compared With: Clouds Without Water

Wicked (People): Compared With: Corn (Grain) Blasted

Wicked (People): Compared With: Corrupt Trees

Wicked (People): Compared With: Deaf Adders

Wicked (People): Compared With: Disturbed Sea

Wicked (People): Compared With: Dogs

Wicked (People): Compared With: Dross

Wicked (People): Compared With: Early Dew That Passes Away

Wicked (People): Compared With: Fading Oaks

Wicked (People): Compared With: Fiery Oven

Wicked (People): Compared With: Fire of Thorns

Wicked (People): Compared With: Fools Building Upon Sand

Wicked (People): Compared With: Garden Without Water

Wicked (People): Compared With: Goats

Wicked (People): Compared With: Grass

Wicked (People): Compared With: Grass on the Housetop

Wicked (People): Compared With: Green Bay Tree

Wicked (People): Compared With: Green Herbs

Wicked (People): Compared With: Heath in the Desert

Wicked (People): Compared With: Horses Rushing Into the Battle

Wicked (People): Compared With: Lions Greedy of Prey

Wicked (People): Compared With: Melting Wax

Wicked (People): Compared With: Morning Clouds

Wicked (People): Compared With: Moth-Eaten Garments

Wicked (People): Compared With: Passing Whirlwinds

Wicked (People): Compared With: Potsherds

Wicked (People): Compared With: Raging Waves of the Sea

Wicked (People): Compared With: Reprobate Silver

Wicked (People): Compared With: Scorpions

Wicked (People): Compared With: Serpents

Wicked (People): Compared With: Smoke

Wicked (People): Compared With: Stony Ground

Wicked (People): Compared With: Stubble

Wicked (People): Compared With: Swine (Pig)

Wicked (People): Compared With: Tares

Wicked (People): Compared With: The Bulls of Bashan

Wicked (People): Compared With: The Fuel of Fire

Wicked (People): Compared With: Visions of the Night

Wicked (People): Compared With: Wandering Stars

Wicked (People): Compared With: Wayward Children

Wicked (People): Compared With: Wells Without Water

Wicked (People): Compared With: Wheels

Wicked (People): Compared With: Whited Gravesites

Wicked (People): Contrasted With Righteous People

Wicked (People): Death of

Wicked (People): Described

Wicked (People): Dreading God

Wicked (People): Eliphaz's Exhortation To

Wicked (People): False Hope of

Wicked (People): God is Angry With

Wicked (People): God's Mercy To

Wicked (People): Gospel Invitation To, Illustrated by the Parables of The Householder

Wicked (People): Gospel Invitation To, Illustrated by the Parables of The Marriage Supper

Wicked (People): Hate Reproof

Wicked (People): Hate the Righteous

Wicked (People): Love For

Wicked (People): Prayer of

Wicked (People): Prosperity of

Wicked (People): Punishment of

Wicked (People): Spirit of God Withdrawn From

Wicked (People): Temporal Punishment of

Wicked (People): Terrors of, at the Judgment

Wicked (People): Warned

Wicked (People): Worship of, offensive to God

Wicked : Present and Future State of Evil and Righteous Persons Contrasted,

Related Terms

Dissuade (2 Occurrences)

Accountable (10 Occurrences)

Speakest (30 Occurrences)

Devices (43 Occurrences)

Belial (23 Occurrences)

Delivereth (49 Occurrences)

Devises (11 Occurrences)

Plots (20 Occurrences)

Preserveth (15 Occurrences)

Snuffed (8 Occurrences)

Schemes (25 Occurrences)

Devised (35 Occurrences)

Device (17 Occurrences)

Poureth (28 Occurrences)

Deceitful (46 Occurrences)

Perverse (55 Occurrences)

Delivers (38 Occurrences)

Candle (16 Occurrences)

Vanish (21 Occurrences)

Violence (98 Occurrences)

Dregs (7 Occurrences)

Dealeth (22 Occurrences)

Melts (11 Occurrences)

Meek (23 Occurrences)

Perishes (14 Occurrences)

Perisheth (15 Occurrences)

Preserves (16 Occurrences)

Bildad (5 Occurrences)

Beset (16 Occurrences)

Condemning (6 Occurrences)

Considereth (9 Occurrences)

Casts (21 Occurrences)

Condemns (11 Occurrences)

Arrogance (30 Occurrences)

Snares (24 Occurrences)

Bend (29 Occurrences)

Devise (41 Occurrences)

Mischief (64 Occurrences)

Perversity (23 Occurrences)

Malice (24 Occurrences)

Complaint (29 Occurrences)

Cord (47 Occurrences)

Vexed (37 Occurrences)

Keepeth (60 Occurrences)

Hell (53 Occurrences)

Covers (50 Occurrences)

Balance (12 Occurrences)

Bondman (108 Occurrences)

Slay (189 Occurrences)

Vile (59 Occurrences)

Calamity (108 Occurrences)

Casteth (54 Occurrences)

Deadly (31 Occurrences)

Profane (69 Occurrences)

Alike (67 Occurrences)

Proud (96 Occurrences)

Sheol (64 Occurrences)

Arrogant (60 Occurrences)

Surround (39 Occurrences)

Present (577 Occurrences)

Preserve (61 Occurrences)

Covereth (61 Occurrences)

Polluted (80 Occurrences)

Condemn (43 Occurrences)

Corrupt (59 Occurrences)

Violent (151 Occurrences)

Vicious (3 Occurrences)

Zophar (4 Occurrences)

Knewest (11 Occurrences)

Detests (7 Occurrences)

Devising (18 Occurrences)

Dishonest (33 Occurrences)

Deviseth (12 Occurrences)

Disheartened (5 Occurrences)

Drives (17 Occurrences)

Dealers (16 Occurrences)

Malicious (13 Occurrences)

Melted (33 Occurrences)

Multiplying (23 Occurrences)

Wicked Messenger
Top of Page
Top of Page