Character of the Wicked: Perverse
Jump to: Nave'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The term "perverse" in the biblical context often refers to a deliberate and obstinate deviation from what is considered morally right or good. It is a characteristic frequently attributed to the wicked, illustrating their rebellion against God's laws and their inclination towards corruption and immorality.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 2:12-15 : "Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perversity of evil, whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways." This passage highlights the perverse nature of the wicked, emphasizing their departure from righteousness and their enjoyment in wrongdoing.

2. Proverbs 6:12-14 : "A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth, winking his eyes, speaking with his feet, and pointing with his fingers. With deceit in his heart he devises evil; he continually sows discord." Here, the perverse speech and actions of the wicked are depicted as tools for spreading deceit and discord, further illustrating their corrupt nature.

3. Proverbs 16:28 : "A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip separates close friends." This verse underscores the destructive impact of perversity, as it leads to division and strife among people, disrupting harmony and relationships.

4. Isaiah 19:14 : "The LORD has mixed within her a spirit of confusion; they have made Egypt stagger in all she does, as a drunkard staggers in his vomit." The perverse spirit here is associated with confusion and instability, reflecting the chaos that results from turning away from God's order.

5. Romans 1:28-32 : "Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful; they invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. They are senseless, faithless, heartless, and merciless." This passage from Romans provides a comprehensive list of the manifestations of a perverse mind, showing how it leads to a wide array of sinful behaviors.

Theological Implications:

The perverse character of the wicked is a direct affront to the holiness and righteousness of God. It represents a willful rejection of divine truth and an embrace of moral corruption. The Bible consistently warns against such perversity, urging believers to seek wisdom and righteousness instead. The perverse are often depicted as those who not only engage in sin but also take pleasure in leading others astray, further compounding their guilt.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

From a moral standpoint, perversity is seen as a fundamental flaw in character that leads to a life of sin and separation from God. It is a condition that requires repentance and transformation through the power of the Holy Spirit. The scriptures call for vigilance against the influence of the perverse, encouraging believers to uphold truth and integrity in all aspects of life.

In summary, the character of the wicked as perverse is a recurring theme in the Bible, serving as a cautionary tale of the dangers of straying from God's path. It is a call to pursue righteousness and to guard one's heart against the corrupting influence of sin.
Nave's Topical Index
Deuteronomy 32:5
They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Reprobation.
... hinders or prevents the salvation of the reprobate, but their perverse perseverance
in sin ... of men, nor the forming or creating in them of a wicked character. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/lecture xliv reprobation.htm

That Evil Comes of Sloth, and virtue from Diligence, and that ...
... added "in his generation" [604] in that perverse, that desperate ... On this account
he left the wicked in the midst ... For the character of calamities is not of such ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily iii that evil comes.htm

"They have Corrupted Themselves; their Spot is not the Spot of his ...
... to our practices, and are we not a perverse and crooked ... no temptation, if our hearts
were not wicked hearts. ... do not add this declared manifest character of a ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon iv they have corrupted.htm

A Preservative against Unsettled Notions, and Want of Principles ...
... enough to convince you, that their character is that ... that is, the flagitious [sinful,
unlawful, wicked] world) with ... is an advocate for their perverse doctrines ...
/.../a preservative against unsettled notions.htm

The Many-Sided Contrast of Wisdom and Folly
... his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall ... a good man's son continues his
father's character, he will ... The overthrow of the wicked is set in striking ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the many-sided contrast of wisdom.htm

Of the Five Sacraments, Falsely So Called. Their Spuriousness ...
... THEIR SPURIOUSNESS PROVED, AND THEIR TRUE CHARACTER EXPLAINED ... It is certainly wicked
over much to dare ... choose to defend themselves by perverse examples, rather ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 19 of the five.htm

The Eternal Punishment of the Wicked Reconciled with the Goodness ...
... never-ending torments of the wicked in another ... A perverse child, committing an offence
against a ... other temptations, their dispositions and character would have ...
/.../chapter iv the eternal punishment.htm

Sedatus of Tuburbo Said: "Inasmuch as Water...
... simplicity of ignorance, not being able to discern their true character, use them ...
[1683] But supposing that the man himself is wicked and perverse, then, if ...
/.../chapter 25 46 sedatus.htm

Its Meaning
... signify any moral transformation in His character; but understand ... a sentence in favour
of the wicked: compare 1 ... perfect, it shall also prove me perverse" (Job 9 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/2 its meaning.htm

The Knowledge of God Stifled or Corrupted, Ignorantly or ...
... 4. The wicked never willingly come into the presence ... not conceive of him in the
character in which ... darkness, nay, bewitch themselves with perverse, empty show. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 4 the knowledge of.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about Christian character? | GotQuestions.org

What is the character of God? | GotQuestions.org

How does bad company corrupt good character (1 Corinthians 15:33)? | GotQuestions.org

Character: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Character

Character Assassination

Character of God

Character of Saints: Attentive to Christ's Voice

Character of Saints: Blameless and Harmless

Character of Saints: Bold

Character of Saints: Contrite

Character of Saints: Devout

Character of Saints: Faithful

Character of Saints: Fearing God

Character of Saints: Following Christ

Character of Saints: Godly

Character of Saints: Guileless

Character of Saints: Holy

Character of Saints: Humble

Character of Saints: Hungering After Righteousness

Character of Saints: Hungering for Righteousness

Character of Saints: Just

Character of Saints: Led by the Spirit

Character of Saints: Liberal

Character of Saints: Loathing Themselves

Character of Saints: Loving

Character of Saints: Lowly

Character of Saints: Meek

Character of Saints: Merciful

Character of Saints: New Creatures

Character of Saints: Obedient

Character of Saints: Poor in Spirit

Character of Saints: Prudent

Character of Saints: Pure in Heart

Character of Saints: Righteous

Character of Saints: Sincere

Character of Saints: Steadfast

Character of Saints: Taught by God

Character of Saints: Taught of God

Character of Saints: True

Character of Saints: Undefiled

Character of Saints: Upright

Character of Saints: Watchful

Character of Saints: Zealous of Good Works

Character of the Wicked: Abominable

Character of the Wicked: Alienated from God

Character of the Wicked: Blasphemous

Character of the Wicked: Blinded

Character of the Wicked: Boastful

Character of the Wicked: Conspiring Against God's People

Character of the Wicked: Conspiring Against Saints

Character of the Wicked: Corrupt

Character of the Wicked: Covetous

Character of the Wicked: Deceitful

Character of the Wicked: Delighting in the Iniquity of Others

Character of the Wicked: Despising Saints

Character of the Wicked: Despising the Works of the Faithful

Character of the Wicked: Destructive

Character of the Wicked: Disobedient

Character of the Wicked: Enticing to Evil

Character of the Wicked: Envious

Character of the Wicked: Evildoers

Character of the Wicked: Fearful

Character of the Wicked: Fierce

Character of the Wicked: Foolish

Character of the Wicked: Forgetting God

Character of the Wicked: Fraudulent

Character of the Wicked: Froward

Character of the Wicked: Glorying in Their Shame

Character of the Wicked: Hard-Hearted

Character of the Wicked: Hating the Light

Character of the Wicked: Heady and High-Minded

Character of the Wicked: Hostile to God

Character of the Wicked: Hypocritical

Character of the Wicked: Ignorant of God

Character of the Wicked: Impudent

Character of the Wicked: Incontinent

Character of the Wicked: Infidel

Character of the Wicked: Loathsome

Character of the Wicked: Lovers of Pleasure More than of God

Character of the Wicked: Lovers of Pleasure, not of God

Character of the Wicked: Lying

Character of the Wicked: Mischievous

Character of the Wicked: Murderous

Character of the Wicked: Persecuting

Character of the Wicked: Perverse

Character of the Wicked: Prayerless

Character of the Wicked: Proud

Character of the Wicked: Rebellious

Character of the Wicked: Rejoicing in the Affliction of Saints

Character of the Wicked: Reprobate

Character of the Wicked: Selfish

Character of the Wicked: Sensual

Character of the Wicked: Sold Under Sin

Character of the Wicked: Stiff-Hearted

Character of the Wicked: Stiff-Necked

Character of the Wicked: Uncircumcised in Heart

Character of the Wicked: Unclean

Character of the Wicked: Ungodly

Character of the Wicked: Unholy

Character of the Wicked: Unjust

Character of the Wicked: Unmerciful

Character of the Wicked: Unprofitable

Character of the Wicked: Unruly

Character of the Wicked: Unthankful

Character of the Wicked: Untoward

Character of the Wicked: Unwise

Character: Defamation of, Punished

Character: Firmness of

Character: Firmness: Joseph in Resisting Potiphar's Wife

Character: Firmness: Paul

Character: Firmness: Pilate

Character: Good

Character: Instability of

Character: Instability: Israelites

Character: Instability: Pharaoh

Character: Instability: Reuben

Character: Instability: Solomon

Character: Revealed in Countenance

Physiognomy: (External Aspect)): Character Revealed In

Related Terms

Quality (14 Occurrences)

Reputation (12 Occurrences)

Sign (181 Occurrences)

Tone (9 Occurrences)

Saints (117 Occurrences)

Personality

Ezranehemiah

Ezra-nehemiah

Tiberius (1 Occurrence)

Alphabet (2 Occurrences)

Stephen (13 Occurrences)

Laban (52 Occurrences)

Charity (29 Occurrences)

Sarai (13 Occurrences)

Know (8133 Occurrences)

Godly (50 Occurrences)

In (142459 Occurrences)

Times (1875 Occurrences)

Time (7245 Occurrences)

Probation

Print (3 Occurrences)

Part (2071 Occurrences)

Rachel (42 Occurrences)

Sinlessness

Sabbatical (1 Occurrence)

Iscariot (11 Occurrences)

Sarah (38 Occurrences)

Beatitudes

Righteousness (442 Occurrences)

Anthropomorphism

Annas (4 Occurrences)

Tradition (13 Occurrences)

Kings (350 Occurrences)

Persians (6 Occurrences)

Ahaziah (34 Occurrences)

Cain (18 Occurrences)

Fortified (79 Occurrences)

Architecture

Abiathar (29 Occurrences)

Fort (8 Occurrences)

Fortress (75 Occurrences)

Conscience (36 Occurrences)

Fortification (5 Occurrences)

Logia

Last (1087 Occurrences)

Balaam (62 Occurrences)

Proverbs (11 Occurrences)

Aramaic (12 Occurrences)

Samaritan (8 Occurrences)

Job (60 Occurrences)

Jehoiakim (37 Occurrences)

Jezebel (20 Occurrences)

Judas (42 Occurrences)

Ecclesiastes (1 Occurrence)

Jehoash (28 Occurrences)

Punishment (417 Occurrences)

Zedekiah (63 Occurrences)

Joram (26 Occurrences)

Joab (128 Occurrences)

Image (126 Occurrences)

Sermon (1 Occurrence)

Andrew (12 Occurrences)

Joash (49 Occurrences)

Crete (7 Occurrences)

Aaron (343 Occurrences)

Everlasting (192 Occurrences)

Ishmael (44 Occurrences)

Visitation (17 Occurrences)

General (9 Occurrences)

Level (31 Occurrences)

Liver (16 Occurrences)

Goodness (83 Occurrences)

Ishmaelites (6 Occurrences)

Imagery (5 Occurrences)

Iniquity (299 Occurrences)

Injury (21 Occurrences)

Flavor (2 Occurrences)

Feasts (45 Occurrences)

Character of the Wicked: Persecuting
Top of Page
Top of Page