[245 words]
There are over 200 verses in the Bible which contain the words “the wicked.” The wicked, of course, practice “wickedness” and there are 121 occurrences of this word. Synonyms for wickedness are also numerous in scripture: “evil” (533 times), “iniquity” (229), “sin” (1467), and “malice” (6). In addition to these words we read of the contrast between “what is good and what is bad.” Goodness is the opposite of wickedness. The Bible is a book about the wickedness of mankind and the consequences of such.
In Deuteronomy 9:4-5 God told the Jews that the reason He would destroy the nations of Palestine and give them their land was because those nations were filled with wickedness. Remember God told the Jews to kill all the people of those nations. But what were those nations doing that is classified as wickedness? Two things stand out: first they disregarded the God of heaven and worshipped idols (Deuteronomy 13:4-11). Second, they were guilty of sexual immorality (including incest, prostitution, adultery, and homosexuality) (Leviticus 18:1-30; 19:29; Proverbs 30:20). And so those nations were destroyed and Israel was not to follow their examples of wickedness. God will not tolerate wickedness. In fact the flood of Noah’s day was due to the wickedness of that generation (Genesis 6:5).
Study the Bible to learn what wickedness is and turn away from it, for “all the wicked shall be turned into hell” (Psalm 9:17).
Alton Norman
Owingsville church of Christ
Owingsville, KY