Proverbs 21:10

Consider a wicked man. See his mind, heart, and actions. Know his soul, and despise his ways. Avoid him at all costs, for he is dangerous and troublesome. His soul enjoys sin like men drink water (Job 15:16). His selfish heart has no pity for others, even family, neighbors, or friends. He despises any man that hinders his pursuit of sinful pleasure.

A wicked man thinks wickedly day and night. He does not rest and sleep like good men, in peace and righteousness. His soul is troubled, unless he can think about something sinful and evil (Pr 4:16; 6:14; Ps 36:1-4; Micah 2:1). He envies his neighbor; he stirs up hatred and revenge for wrongs he has suffered; he blames everyone else for his troubles.

The wicked not only do evil; they desire it. They do not hunger or thirst for righteousness or the living God, as do good men (Ps 42:1-5; Matt 5:6). Nothing constrains their imagination (Is 32:6-7). They fantasize about lascivious excess. The elect may sin, but the wicked desire it. The elect may do what they hate, but the wicked do what they love.

Wicked men love to hate. They surmise evil of others; they slander and whisper; they justify themselves. They despise others, for they never see good in anyone else. They follow the devil, enjoying hatred and lies (John 8:44). They worship self, sacrificing even friends for self-gratification. They have killed much conscience and ordinary compassion.

The most visible measure of a soul is how he treats others. It proves eternal life or death (I John 3:10-15). It is the evidence of knowing God (I John 4:20; 5:1). Love is the greatest grace of a redeemed soul, and the Bible emphasizes it many times. The apostles wrote against bitterness, hatred, and strife; they wrote for kindness, forgiveness, love, and peace. The former is devilish and from hell; the latter is the greatest measure of the elect.

“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace” (Jas 3:14-18).

There will be no change in wicked men without the grace of God giving them a new heart. There is no change of environment or gripping presentation of truth that can move their cold and depraved hearts (Is 26:10; Luke 16:31). They cannot deliver themselves, for their hateful, negative, and selfish thoughts are both by nature and established habits.

Let the righteous despise and forsake the wicked and their ways (Ps 15:4; 101:4). Let them seek God’s commands (Ps 119:115). God will judge the wicked, and He will expose them for the righteous to also judge them (Pr 26:24-26). Make your calling and election sure and prove you are not like the wicked by loving neighbor and enemy (Matt 5:43-48).