Recognizing Wickedness

A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers. (Proverbs 6:12-13)

The Bible talks about the wicked person many times, but can you recognize a wicked person in front of you? How does the Bible describe a wicked person?

Proverbs gives us a lot of material to help us understand and discern when a wicked person is in our midst. Not only are their actions and speech specifically perverse, not only do they use the Lord’s name in vain and use curse words in their speech, but the most telling quality of a wicked person is that how they live. They never edify or uplift others.

There are many people who claim to be Christian and can act very spiritual, but their lives show that they only care for themselves. They do whatever it takes to make themselves look good, even if it means destroying the reputation or opportunities of others. They will even use deception or destruction, regardless of how it affects other people.

Christians must be discerning when it comes to recognizing the wicked tendencies of the people around them. As the old idiom goes, “If someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” Scripture tells us we can tell what a tree is by the fruit it bears. If this person is always the victim, always against others, and you never hear an uplifting or encouraging word out of them, they have exposed the wickedness in their heart. People's actions and behavior are the most accurate indicators of their true character.

Practical Application

Before hiring an employee, before choosing friends, and especially before choosing who to date, examine the character of individuals. Are they uplifting, encouraging, and righteous in their speech and actions? Or do they display the traits of the wicked?

Proverbs 17:23; Exodus 23:8

The Cycle of Slothfulness

The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. (Proverbs 15:19)

Have you ever had to move around a thorn bush or had to pull something out of a spiny bush? What does it feel like? It feels prickly, obstructive, problematic, and painful.

Proverbs tells us that a slothful person is just like a hedge of thorns. They are uncomfortable, painful and stop the progress of where others want to go. The slothful person purposely avoids as much work and responsibility as possible and creates a barrier of excuses that don’t just affect them, but everyone around them.

Purposely watch those around your life for signs of slothfulness. Not only are they impending themselves, but they will prick those around them with the same attitude and character as a thorn bush. Ask yourself, “Are they willing to work or are they always making excuses?” “Do they want to do the hard thing, or are they always looking for a shortcut?”

But don’t just look at others. Proverbs 15:19 offers us a good chance to look at our own lives. Are there areas where your own excuses have held back what God is trying to do in your life?

Maybe God is highlighting someone that you know who has been stuck in a cycle of slothfulness that has stopped them from moving forward. Pray about how you can minister to someone and help them get out of those excuses that bind them.

The other side of Proverbs 15:19 is that the righteous person’s way is made plain. That means you will see obstructions and help clear the way. Maybe God is calling you to share wisdom and revelation with someone He has put in your life who is struggling with slothfulness.

Practical Application

Pay attention to the excuses those around you give for refusing to work on something. It is important that you discern the character of others and are led by the Holy Spirit of how to minister to them to get them out of the cycle of slothfulness.

Proverbs 22:5; Proverbs 22:13

Wake Up the Sluggard

How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. (Proverbs 6:9-11)

Who is the sluggard? It’s a term we don’t use often today, but the Bible talks about this person a lot. The sluggard isn’t just a slothful person. They are someone who loves sleep and is almost addicted to getting as much rest and sleep as possible and, because of that, find themselves out of work constantly.

The message of this proverb is not hidden. It states that the one who is sleeping, slumbering, and refusing to wake up and get things done will desire success, but never see it come to them.

In fact, the Bible tells us the sluggard will experience lack. Many people blame their poverty on their race, background, or the opportunities they had in life, but the illustration in Proverbs says differently. It says poverty is like a gun toting traveler who will hold up the sluggard and take everything with impunity.

I cannot be lazy and lie around and sleep all day. God has called me to do too much for me to sit around or take my sweet time! You need to catch the same revelation. God has important things for you to do! Prosperity is often the result of a diligent, self-starting individual who wants to get things done more than he hungers for ease and sleep.

Sleep is a blessing; sleep is something God has given us, but an addiction to sleep and an unwillingness to get up, pray, get to work and get moving will destroy your life.

Practical Application

Are you willing to pay the price, to work diligently to see God’s will for your life completed? Decide to get up 10 to 15 minutes earlier than you usually do and add to your morning prayer time. Purpose to follow God, not an addiction to sleep.

Proverbs 24:33; 2 Thessalonians 3:10