“For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. (Ephesians 6:12 Good News Translation)
Wickedness is the state of being wicked, so says the International Bible Encyclopedia. Wickedness equates to sinfulness, unrighteousness, and evil. Those are pretty good explanations of wickedness. Yet let me expand our view, unless we become guilty of the watering down of wickedness, watering down the very meaning of the word. Are you ready? Okay!
Wickedness is not restricted to major crimes, mainly just drastic acts of violence, or maniacal offenses that we see as overtly or obviously very serious. Expand the definition of wickedness and you will expand your thinking, and perhaps your behaving. Consider this: Wickedness incorporates any behavior, and at times our thoughts that are not controlled and are just precursors to wickedness; the wickedness that incorporates any behavior that opposes the will of God.
I’m not being legalistic, and neither am I being Pharisaic, but I am literally trying to share with you something that we all have to be on guard against. What is that exactly? I’m glad you asked. It is the tendency to join in the watering down od wickedness. Listen! Sin is still sin, at any level or degree. Unrighteousness is still unable to squeeze into the definition of righteousness, regardless of what our present-day culture says. Evil is still unable to qualify for a listing under either the banner of good or the grouping of goodness. “My will” often does not align with “Thy will be done.” Thank God there are exceptions to the following, prompted by following Jesus’ example in the Garden of Gethsemane as He prayed to the Father.
Here is what I want you to do today. Just think of the above as you go through the day. It might change your walk, your talk, and even your thoughts. We will have our failings, but don’t fail to get right with God and to avoid as much as possible, straying off the narrow path of righteousness, Have a great day! Be blessed!
“Do not enter the path of the wicked and do not proceed in the way of evil people. Avoid it, do not pass by it; turn away from it and pass on!” (Proverbs 4:14-15 NASB)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King