Topical Bible: Wicked (People): False Hope of

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In the biblical narrative, the concept of "wickedness" is often associated with those who live in opposition to God's commandments and moral order. The Scriptures provide numerous insights into the nature and consequences of wickedness, particularly highlighting the false hope that the wicked often cling to.

The Bible consistently portrays the wicked as individuals who place their trust in temporal and deceitful sources of security, rather than in God. This misplaced trust is described as a "false hope," which ultimately leads to their downfall. In the book of Job, we find a poignant description of this false hope: "The hope of the godless will perish" (Job 8:13). This verse underscores the transient and unreliable nature of the wicked's confidence.

Proverbs further elaborates on this theme, stating, "When the wicked die, their hope perishes, and the hope of the unjust vanishes" (Proverbs 11:7). Here, the ultimate futility of the wicked's aspirations is emphasized, as their hopes are extinguished at death, leaving them with nothing of eternal value.

The Psalms also address the deceptive nature of the wicked's hope. Psalm 37:35-36 observes, "I have seen a wicked, ruthless man flourishing like a well-rooted native tree, yet he passed away and was no more; though I searched, he could not be found." This passage illustrates the temporary success and apparent prosperity of the wicked, which ultimately proves to be illusory and fleeting.

In the New Testament, Jesus warns against the false security found in material wealth and earthly power, which are often the sources of hope for the wicked. In the Parable of the Rich Fool, Jesus tells of a man who placed his hope in his abundant possessions, only to face sudden judgment: "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?'" (Luke 12:20). This parable serves as a stark reminder of the danger of relying on worldly riches, which cannot secure one's soul.

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, contrasts the false hope of the wicked with the true hope found in Christ. In 1 Timothy 6:17 , he advises, "Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." This exhortation highlights the importance of placing one's hope in God, rather than in the fleeting and uncertain promises of the world.

In conclusion, the Bible presents a clear and consistent message regarding the false hope of the wicked. While they may experience temporary success and prosperity, their reliance on anything other than God is ultimately futile. True and lasting hope is found only in a relationship with God, who offers eternal security and fulfillment. The Scriptures call all people to turn away from wickedness and place their trust in the Lord, who is the source of true hope and salvation.

Nave's Topical Index

Job 8:13-18
So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Duty of the People of God to Excite Others to Seek this Rest.
... sins less than they are, nor encourage them in a false hope. ... Some will not tell their
people plainly of their sins ... if none but the poor and the wicked should be ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter ix the duty of.htm

Of the Crimes of the Wicked, and the Torture Inflicted on the ...
... as impious, they would now understand how false they are ... see that both they and their
people do those ... and that they themselves who commit wicked actions are ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap ix of the crimes of.htm

Hope for the Heathen
... In wicked Jericho the testimony of a heathen woman was ... shall be called an house of
prayer for all people. ... of truth were being led astray by false teachers into ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 31 hope for the.htm

False Comforts for Sinners.
... it all upon himself, needlessly, by his wicked resistance to the truth, The truth
is, what such people want, is ... religion, they of course give him false comfort ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xvii false comforts for.htm

Fourth Sunday after Trinity Consolation in Suffering, and Patience ...
... outcry, filling the heavens with our false complaint of a ... our God and fitted to serve
righteous people. ... must submit to accommodating the wicked world against ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/fourth sunday after trinity consolation.htm

The Christian Sabbath --Peter's Confession of Faith.
... Only a wicked people look for a sign, He said, and no ... so much as to beware of the
false teaching of ... They remembered their talks with the people and said, "John ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxvi the christian sabbathpeters.htm

False Professors Solemnly Warned
... better, who even sets up to teach other people better, still ... me show you how it is
that the wicked professor is ... were not for the ill lives of false professors. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/false professors solemnly warned.htm

Directions to Sinners.
... The people all knew that this was a wicked, base woman ... the hurt of the daughter of
God's people, and the ... so that they will either get a false hope, or will be ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xviii directions to sinners.htm

To Win Souls Requires Wisdom.
... very likely close in with it, and thus get a false hope. ... If people made it no more
a matter of attention and ... of Christ, you are acting a very wicked and absurd ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture x to win souls.htm

Concerning the Mythic, that Is, the Fabulous, Theology, and the ...
... if with false, how wicked the worship! ... For he says that those things which the poets
write are less than the people ought to follow, whilst what the ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 6 concerning the mythic that.htm