In our everyday relationships or business transactions, God does not want us to be tricked, fooled, "burnt," taken advantage of, or deceived by others. In His Word, He teaches us certain characteristics of the wicked to watch out for in order to avoid hurt, pain, shame, or loss. It is imperative that we study them and keep them in mind at all times so that we are never deceived. One thing we must understand is that wicked people are deceitful. This is their nature. If they appear otherwise, it is usually a false front.
The Scriptures plainly and clearly tell us that the wicked are - "...full of...deceit..." (Romans 1:29) What this means is that fraud, lying,and falsehood are so often practised by them that it has become commonplace or second nature to them.
They cannot help but utter that which is false and treacherous every time that they talk. Psalm 10:7 says that their mouths are - "...full of cursing and deceit and fraud..." Psalm 36:3 tells us that the words of their mouths are - "...iniquity and deceit..." They exercise no conscience over what they say - whether it be true or false or right or wrong.
Proverbs 11:18 makes it plain and clear when it says that - "The wicked worketh a deceitful work..." We must be aware of that fact. We cannot ignore it or be gullible.
Proverbs 12:5 tells us that their "counsels" "are deceit." In other words, they act with "deceit" - using tricks and devious designs for their own benefit.
Both Psalms 35:20 and 38:12 tell us that they devise or plan deceits-
"For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land."
"They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long."
Those who are "quiet in the land" are the godly. They are the ones who are the target for these deceitful workers.
These deceivers are contentious and quarrelsome. They
"feed"
on lies or misrepresentations of the truth. Hence, they seek to falsely represent the character of the godly by misconstruing or perverting their words and actions. In order to justify their own wicked ways, they will oftentimes state something to be true about the righteous which never occurred. They circulate false reports about the godly - hoping to render them disgusting or obnoxious in other's eyes.
The Prophet Jeremiah described these evildoers well, in saying - "And they will deceive every one his neighbor, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies..." (Jeremiah 9:5).
Since childhood, they have learned how to lie, so now in adulthood, they are very skillful at it. Whether in a friendly conversation or in a business deal, they cannot ever be trusted. There is nothing sincere or honest about them. They carry slanders or false reports with them at all times. They lie for lying sake.
The reason why they can deceive others is because they are deceived themselves. Through the "pride" of their own hearts, they have deceived themselves (Obadiah 3). They have given place to Satan - the Master Deceiver - by entertaining exaggerated thoughts of self-worth, self-glory, and self-confidence.
Unless they repent and surrender their lives to the Lord Jesus, don't look for them to change in any way, shape, or form. In fact, they will not get any better, but grow worse and worse. In 2 Timothy 3:13, the Apostle Paul told us - "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived."
We must never forget that the way of sin is always downhill.Unless people are saved from their sins, Born Again, or redeemed by the Blood of Jesus, they will only sink deeper and deeper into the pit of iniquity and grow worse and worse in their evil ways.
Lastly, Proverbs 20:17 describes the wicked man or woman by saying - "Bread of deceit is sweet to a man..."
We understand that people generally do that which they love and avoid that which they hate. These "characters" find great profit in"forbidden fruit" or that which is stolen or gotten through deceit. They will oftentimes manipulate to get wealth, property, assets, promotions, titles, fame, etc. by using fraud and falsehood. And they take great pleasure in doing so.
This is a Biblical description of the Wicked Man or Woman.
It would behoove us to take this study to heart and be very discerning in dealing with such people in this life.
God does not want us to be ignorant or naive. He wants us to be informed.
In
Psalm 39:1, we read how David was on guard against the wicked workers in his day when he said -
"I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me."
While the wicked is before you, O Saint of God, take heed to your ways!
You will surely avoid much hurt if you do.
Simple Salvation Church of God
Identify The Wicked Man
