Topical Bible: Character of the Wicked: Unwise

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The Bible frequently contrasts the wisdom of the righteous with the folly of the wicked, emphasizing that the latter are characterized by a lack of wisdom. This unwise nature is not merely an intellectual deficiency but a moral and spiritual failing that leads to destructive behavior and separation from God.

Lack of Fear of the Lord

The foundation of wisdom, according to Scripture, is the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." The wicked, however, are described as lacking this foundational fear, which leads to their unwise actions. Psalm 36:1 declares, "An oracle is in my heart regarding the transgression of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes."

Rejection of Godly Counsel

The unwise character of the wicked is further demonstrated by their rejection of godly counsel and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 notes, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." This rejection of wisdom is a hallmark of the wicked, who prefer their own understanding over divine guidance.

Pride and Self-Reliance

Pride is another aspect of the unwise nature of the wicked. They rely on their own understanding and abilities rather than seeking God's wisdom. Proverbs 28:26 warns, "He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe." The wicked's self-reliance blinds them to the truth and leads them down a path of folly.

Short-Sightedness

The wicked are often short-sighted, focusing on immediate gratification rather than considering the long-term consequences of their actions. This lack of foresight is a key aspect of their unwise character. Proverbs 14:12 states, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." The wicked pursue what seems right in their own eyes, ignoring the ultimate outcome.

Resistance to Correction

Another trait of the unwise wicked is their resistance to correction. Proverbs 15:5 says, "A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent." The wicked's unwillingness to accept correction further entrenches them in their folly, as they refuse to learn from their mistakes or the wisdom of others.

Destructive Speech

The unwise nature of the wicked is also evident in their speech. Their words often cause harm and reflect their inner folly. Proverbs 10:14 observes, "The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool invites ruin." The wicked's unguarded and reckless speech reveals their lack of wisdom and contributes to their downfall.

Conclusion

The character of the wicked as unwise is a recurring theme in Scripture, highlighting the moral and spiritual deficiencies that lead them away from God and into paths of destruction. Their lack of fear of the Lord, rejection of counsel, pride, short-sightedness, resistance to correction, and destructive speech all serve as markers of their unwise nature.

Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 32:6
Do you thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he your father that has bought you? has he not made you, and established you?
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Reprobation.
... not make you willing is, that he sees that it would be unwise in him ... the original
creation of men, nor the forming or creating in them of a wicked character. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/lecture xliv reprobation.htm

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... that were one in heart and work, is the character of the ... He that commits an errand
or business to a wicked man and intrusts him with it, is as unwise in so ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

Colossians i. 9
... did suffer and have suffered from their unwise neglect of a ... it will not do anything
low or wicked, but it ... I have thought that this character, with its features ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/arnold/the christian life/lecture iv colossians i 9.htm

Attributes of Love.
... It may be unwise to pardon, or to seek the ... of benevolence appears conspicuous in
the character of God as ... We find many prayers for the punishment of the wicked. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xiv attributes of love.htm

Moab is My Washpot
... and there is some excuse for him; but since you see how unwise and wicked it is ... Evil
is now no longer an unknown seed of doubtful character; we have seen ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/moab is my washpot.htm

Our Stronghold
... thou knowest that in this thing I am not wicked," then let ... And so you see you have
found his character to be ... Then we are apt to think that God is unwise to let ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/our stronghold.htm

Degeneration
... Perhaps we would not be so unwise, so regardless ... man's crime was simply
neglect""thou wicked and slothful ... It is only a character which is itself developing ...
/.../drummond/natural law in the spiritual world/degeneration.htm

Covenanting a Duty.
... who would proceed, as if it were, would act an unwise part ... Refraining from vowing
to him, man sustains a character no higher than the wicked who restrain ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iii covenanting a duty.htm

Heathen Plots
... That one unwise move on the part of Nehemiah would ... fellow workers, brings upon his
own character a stain ... that forsake the law praise the wicked." Proverbs 28:4 ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 55 heathen plots.htm

The Snare of the Fowler
... He would be an unwise fowler who should go to work ... a true Christian; you have some
respect for his character; he is ... He never employs a wicked man to be a decoy ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the snare of the fowler.htm