The character of the wicked, as depicted in the Bible, is often marked by a deliberate and malicious intent to conspire against the saints—those who are faithful followers of God. This enmity is rooted in a fundamental opposition to God's righteousness and His people. Throughout Scripture, the wicked are portrayed as engaging in schemes and plots to undermine, persecute, and destroy the righteous.

Biblical Examples and Descriptions

1. Psalm 37:12 · "The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them." This verse highlights the deep-seated animosity that the wicked harbor against the righteous. Their scheming is not merely passive but is accompanied by a visceral hatred, symbolized by the gnashing of teeth.

2. Psalm 2:1-3 · "Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: 'Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords.'" Here, the conspiracy is not only against God's people but directly against God Himself and His Anointed. The wicked, represented by earthly powers, unite in their rebellion, seeking to overthrow divine authority.

3. Daniel 6:4-5 · "Thus the administrators and satraps sought to find a charge against Daniel regarding the kingdom. But they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. Finally these men said, 'We will never find any basis for a charge against this man Daniel unless it is against the law of his God.'" Daniel's account exemplifies the wicked's attempts to conspire against the saints through deceit and manipulation, targeting their faithfulness to God's law.

4. Acts 23:12-13 · "When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. More than forty of them were involved in this plot." The apostle Paul faced numerous conspiracies against his life, driven by those who opposed his mission and message. This passage illustrates the lengths to which the wicked will go, even to the point of self-imposed oaths, to eliminate the influence of the saints.

Characteristics of the Wicked's Conspiracy

· Deception and Lies: The wicked often employ deceit as a tool in their conspiracies. In John 8:44, Jesus describes the devil as "a liar and the father of lies," and those who conspire against the saints often follow in this pattern, using falsehoods to achieve their ends.

· Violence and Intimidation: The wicked are not averse to using violence or threats to intimidate the saints. In Acts 4:29, the early Christians pray, "And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness," acknowledging the intimidation they faced from those opposed to their message.

· Persistence in Opposition: The wicked's conspiracies are marked by persistence. In Nehemiah 4:7-8, when the enemies of Israel heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being rebuilt, they "plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it." This persistence reflects a relentless desire to thwart the purposes of God and His people.

· Envy and Resentment: Often, the wicked's conspiracies are fueled by envy and resentment towards the blessings and favor that the saints receive from God. In Genesis 37:18-20, Joseph's brothers conspired against him out of jealousy, saying, "Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits."

Spiritual Warfare

The conspiracies of the wicked against the saints are ultimately a manifestation of the spiritual warfare that exists between the forces of good and evil. Ephesians 6:12 reminds believers, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." The wicked, in their conspiracies, are often unwitting instruments of these spiritual forces, opposing the work of God and His people.

Divine Protection and Justice

Despite the conspiracies of the wicked, the Bible assures believers of God's protection and ultimate justice. Psalm 37:32-33 states, "The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, seeking to slay them. But the LORD will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned under judgment." God's sovereignty ensures that the schemes of the wicked will not prevail against His saints, and His justice will ultimately be served.Nehemiah 4:8
And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.
Nave's Topical Index

Nehemiah 6:2
That Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 38:12
They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.
Nave's Topical Index

Jeremiah, a Lesson for the Disappointed.
... one time we read of the people conspiring against him[8 ... judgments: wherefore doth
the way of the wicked prosper? ... self-willed, is quite out of character with our ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon ix jeremiah a lesson.htm

The Sixth Season
... fire." Such apprehensions of the character and presence ... Paul by wicked suggestions,
(as is supposed) he ... adversary and a vain heart, conspiring together, leave ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/vi the sixth season.htm

False Comforts for Sinners.
... in this world according to their character; that the ... all upon himself, needlessly,
by his wicked resistance to ... And everybody is conspiring to make the opposite ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xvii false comforts for.htm

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
... but do live loose, idle, profane, and wicked lives ... us therefore covet to imitate
Christ and the scripture saints. ... thought in our minds of evil, against God, the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/seasonable counsel or advice to.htm

ii.
... The stubborn character of the Elector being well known, the ... Princes who had for some
time been conspiring with the ... He employs them to punish the wicked and to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/first principles of the reformation/ii.htm

The Character of God ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

Sinful Character Traits ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

Christian Character ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

Character: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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