Topical Encyclopedia The Bible provides a comprehensive portrayal of the character of the wicked, often highlighting their propensity for violence and murder. This aspect of wickedness is not only a physical act but also a reflection of a heart that is far from God. The Scriptures consistently condemn murder as a grave sin, illustrating the deep moral corruption that characterizes the wicked.Old Testament Insights From the earliest chapters of the Bible, murder is depicted as a heinous act. In Genesis 4:8, the first murder is recorded when Cain, in a fit of jealousy and anger, kills his brother Abel. This act of violence is a direct result of Cain's wicked heart, as God warns him beforehand, "Sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it" (Genesis 4:7). Cain's failure to master his sinful desires leads to the first murder, setting a precedent for the wickedness that follows. The Mosaic Law further underscores the severity of murder. In Exodus 20:13, the commandment "You shall not murder" is given as part of the Ten Commandments, highlighting the sanctity of human life. The law prescribes severe penalties for murder, reflecting God's justice and the seriousness of taking a life (Numbers 35:16-21). Psalms and Proverbs The Psalms and Proverbs frequently describe the wicked as those who are prone to violence and bloodshed. Psalm 10:8-10 paints a vivid picture of the wicked: "He lies in wait near the villages; in ambush he slays the innocent; his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless. He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket; he lurks to seize the oppressed; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net" . This imagery underscores the predatory nature of the wicked, who are willing to commit murder to achieve their ends. Proverbs 1:11-16 warns against joining those who are quick to shed blood, illustrating the destructive path of the wicked. "My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say, 'Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause...'" . The passage highlights the allure of wickedness and the importance of resisting such temptations. Prophetic Warnings The prophets also speak against the murderous nature of the wicked. In Isaiah 59:7, the prophet describes the wicked: "Their feet run to evil; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are sinful thoughts; ruin and destruction lie in their wake" . This passage emphasizes the eagerness of the wicked to commit acts of violence and the resulting chaos. Jeremiah 7:9-10 further condemns the hypocrisy of those who commit murder while claiming to worship God: "Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before Me in this house, which bears My Name, and say, 'We are delivered, so we can continue with all these abominations'?" . The prophet highlights the disconnect between outward religious observance and inward moral corruption. New Testament Teachings In the New Testament, Jesus expands on the understanding of murder by addressing the heart's intentions. In Matthew 5:21-22, He teaches, "You have heard that it was said to the ancients, 'Do not murder,' and 'Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment" . Jesus emphasizes that murder begins in the heart, with anger and hatred being the root causes. The apostle John reiterates this teaching in 1 John 3:15: "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer" . This underscores the spiritual dimension of murder, where hatred equates to murder in God's eyes. Conclusion The character of the wicked as murderous is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, illustrating the profound moral decay that separates the wicked from God. The Scriptures consistently call for repentance and transformation, urging individuals to turn away from violence and embrace the love and righteousness that come from a relationship with God. Nave's Topical Index Psalm 10:8He sits in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places does he murder the innocent: his eyes are privately set against the poor. Nave's Topical Index Psalm 94:6 Romans 1:29 Library The Folly of Slander. Part 2. Letter clvi. To Leo Augustus. The Growth and Power of Sin "It is Finished" The Martyrdom of John Acts XII The Controversy Ended. The Controversy Ended Of Evil-Speaking in General. Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity Paul's Thanks and Prayers for ... Resources The Character of God ' Article Index | GotQuestions.orgSinful Character Traits ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org Christian Character ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org Character: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Character of Saints: Attentive to Christ's Voice Character of Saints: Blameless and Harmless Character of Saints: Fearing God Character of Saints: Following Christ Character of Saints: Guileless Character of Saints: Hungering After Righteousness Character of Saints: Hungering for Righteousness Character of Saints: Led by the Spirit Character of Saints: Loathing Themselves Character of Saints: New Creatures Character of Saints: Poor in Spirit Character of Saints: Pure in Heart Character of Saints: Righteous Character of Saints: Steadfast Character of Saints: Taught by God Character of Saints: Taught of God Character of Saints: Undefiled Character of Saints: Zealous of Good Works Character of the Wicked: Abominable Character of the Wicked: Alienated from God Character of the Wicked: Blasphemous Character of the Wicked: Blinded Character of the Wicked: Boastful Character of the Wicked: Conspiring Against God's People Character of the Wicked: Conspiring Against Saints Character of the Wicked: Corrupt Character of the Wicked: Covetous Character of the Wicked: Deceitful Character of the Wicked: Delighting in the Iniquity of Others Character of the Wicked: Despising Saints Character of the Wicked: Despising the Works of the Faithful Character of the Wicked: Destructive Character of the Wicked: Disobedient Character of the Wicked: Enticing to Evil Character of the Wicked: Envious Character of the Wicked: Evildoers Character of the Wicked: Fearful Character of the Wicked: Fierce Character of the Wicked: Foolish Character of the Wicked: Forgetting God Character of the Wicked: Fraudulent Character of the Wicked: Froward Character of the Wicked: Glorying in Their Shame Character of the Wicked: Hard-Hearted Character of the Wicked: Hating the Light Character of the Wicked: Heady and High-Minded Character of the Wicked: Hostile to God Character of the Wicked: Hypocritical Character of the Wicked: Ignorant of God Character of the Wicked: Impudent Character of the Wicked: Incontinent Character of the Wicked: Infidel Character of the Wicked: Loathsome Character of the Wicked: Lovers of Pleasure More than of God Character of the Wicked: Lovers of Pleasure, not of God Character of the Wicked: Lying Character of the Wicked: Mischievous Character of the Wicked: Murderous Character of the Wicked: Persecuting Character of the Wicked: Perverse Character of the Wicked: Prayerless Character of the Wicked: Proud Character of the Wicked: Rebellious Character of the Wicked: Rejoicing in the Affliction of Saints Character of the Wicked: Reprobate Character of the Wicked: Selfish Character of the Wicked: Sensual Character of the Wicked: Sold Under Sin Character of the Wicked: Stiff-Hearted Character of the Wicked: Stiff-Necked Character of the Wicked: Uncircumcised in Heart Character of the Wicked: Unclean Character of the Wicked: Ungodly Character of the Wicked: Unholy Character of the Wicked: Unjust Character of the Wicked: Unmerciful Character of the Wicked: Unprofitable Character of the Wicked: Unruly Character of the Wicked: Unthankful Character of the Wicked: Untoward Character of the Wicked: Unwise Character: Defamation of, Punished Character: Firmness: Joseph in Resisting Potiphar's Wife Character: Instability: Israelites Character: Instability: Pharaoh Character: Instability: Reuben Character: Instability: Solomon Character: Revealed in Countenance Physiognomy: (External Aspect)): Character Revealed In Related Terms |
    |