Topical Bible: Wicked (People): Love For

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In the biblical context, the term "wicked" refers to individuals who live in opposition to God's commandments and moral order. The Scriptures provide numerous insights into the nature and consequences of wickedness, as well as the attitudes and behaviors that characterize those who are deemed wicked. One of the notable aspects of wicked individuals, as highlighted in the Bible, is their love for wickedness itself.

Nature of Wickedness:

Wickedness is fundamentally a rejection of God's righteousness and an embrace of sin. The Bible describes the wicked as those who "do not seek God" (Psalm 10:4) and whose "ways are crooked" (Proverbs 2:15). Their actions are often marked by deceit, violence, and a lack of justice. The wicked are contrasted with the righteous, who seek to live according to God's will and commandments.

Love for Wickedness:

The love for wickedness is a defining characteristic of the wicked. This love manifests in several ways:

1. Delight in Evil: The wicked find pleasure in acts that are contrary to God's law. Proverbs 10:23 states, "The fool delights in shameful conduct, but a man of understanding has wisdom" . This delight in wrongdoing reveals a heart that is hardened against the truth and beauty of God's holiness.

2. Rejection of Truth: The wicked often reject the truth of God's Word, preferring instead to follow their own desires. Romans 1:25 describes how they "exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator" . This exchange indicates a love for falsehood over truth.

3. Pride and Arrogance: The wicked are frequently characterized by pride and arrogance, believing themselves to be above reproach. Psalm 73:6-7 describes them as being "clothed with pride as with a necklace" and having "eyes that bulge with abundance" . Their self-exaltation blinds them to their need for repentance and redemption.

4. Hatred for the Righteous: The wicked often harbor animosity towards those who pursue righteousness. Proverbs 29:27 states, "An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked" . This mutual detestation underscores the fundamental opposition between the two paths.

Consequences of Wickedness:

The Bible warns of the dire consequences awaiting those who persist in wickedness. Proverbs 11:21 assures that "Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape" . The ultimate fate of the wicked is separation from God and eternal judgment, as depicted in passages such as Matthew 25:46, where Jesus speaks of "eternal punishment" for the unrighteous.

Call to Repentance:

Despite the grim portrayal of the wicked, the Bible consistently extends a call to repentance and transformation. Ezekiel 18:23 reveals God's heart, asking, "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 invitation to turn from wickedness and embrace righteousness is a testament to God's mercy and desire for all to come to repentance.

In conclusion, the love for wickedness is a hallmark of those who live in defiance of God's commands. The Bible provides a clear depiction of the nature, manifestations, and consequences of such a lifestyle, while also offering hope through the possibility of repentance and redemption.

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Deuteronomy 5:29
O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
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Deuteronomy 32:29
O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!
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Matthew 18:11-14
For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
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John 3:16,17
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
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Romans 5:8
But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
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1 John 3:16
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
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1 John 4:9,10
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
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Library

Queen Esther's Love for Her People
... and she became his favorite and won his love, so that ... at my request, for I and my
people have been ... Esther answered, "A foe, an enemy, this wicked Haman." Then ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/queen esthers love for her.htm

The Christian Sabbath --Peter's Confession of Faith.
... to the neighbor, as well as the love and worship ... the Galilean Jews, they were half
heathen people who lived ... the gospel than the wise and wicked Pharisees had ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxvi the christian sabbathpeters.htm

Beauty of Diction to be in Keeping with the Matter.
... and abhor, many and heinous deeds of wickedness and baseness which wicked and base ...
the priests applaud them with their hands; [1953] and my people love to have ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 14 beauty of diction to.htm

Letter ix. Religious Culture and Duty.
... lake of fire and brimstone, into which wicked people would be ... the religious education
of the young people of to ... emphasize the fact that God is love, the other ...
/.../letter ix religious culture and.htm

The Love which Withers.
... It only shows that, when people propose to decide ... who by reason of His ill-proportioned
love is insensible ... Hence, however wicked a man may be, however insolent ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxii the love which withers.htm

Article I: of God.
... God, unless we acknowledge that our heart is naturally destitute of love, fear,
and ... we experience every day that it hurts us to see wicked people in good ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 1 article i of.htm

Be Ye Doers of the Word, not Hearers Only, Deceiving Your Own ...
... do sin, their sins have great aggravation, and appear extremely wicked in the ... If
a minister find that his people love abstract doctrinal preaching, but that ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/be ye doers of the.htm

The Tests of Love to God
... who are filled with a spirit of revenge against His people? How can that wife be
said to love her husband ... Wicked men seem to bear great reverence to the saints ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the tests of love to.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xx. 30, About the Two Blind Men ...
... prophets, who did not retire from the wicked people, lest they ... acted thus from necessity
rather than from love, God offered him another people; so that ...
/.../sermon xxxviii on the words.htm

Monday in Whitsun-Week. Would God that all the Lord's People were ...
... Would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put
His Spirit ... Oh therefore give Thy love and peace ... Thy power, convert the wicked now ...
/.../lyra germanica the christian year/monday in whitsun-week would god.htm