The character of the wicked, as depicted in the Bible, often includes a disdain for the works and lives of the faithful. This contempt is rooted in a fundamental opposition to the values and principles upheld by those who follow God's commandments. The wicked, in their rebellion against divine authority, frequently express their disdain through mockery, persecution, and attempts to undermine the righteous.

Biblical Examples and Descriptions

1. Mockery and Scorn: The wicked often mock the righteous, belittling their faith and trust in God. In Psalm 1:1, the psalmist warns against walking "in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of mockers." This verse highlights the progression from mere association with the wicked to adopting their scornful attitudes.

2. Persecution: The faithful are often targets of persecution by the wicked, who despise their commitment to God's ways. In 2 Timothy 3:12, Paul writes, "Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." This persecution is a manifestation of the wicked's deep-seated animosity towards the righteous.

3. Undermining the Righteous: The wicked actively seek to undermine the works of the faithful. In Nehemiah 4:1-3, when Nehemiah and the Israelites were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, they faced ridicule from Sanballat and Tobiah, who mocked their efforts and questioned their ability to succeed. This opposition was not merely against the physical work but against the spiritual renewal it represented.

4. Hatred for Righteousness: The wicked's disdain is often rooted in a hatred for righteousness itself. Proverbs 29:27 states, "An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked." This mutual detestation underscores the fundamental conflict between the values of the wicked and the righteous.

5. Rejection of God's Wisdom: The wicked reject the wisdom and instruction that guide the faithful. Proverbs 1:7 declares, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." This rejection is a hallmark of the wicked, who scorn the divine wisdom that the faithful cherish.

Spiritual Implications

The wicked's disdain for the works of the faithful is not merely a social or cultural phenomenon but a spiritual battle. Ephesians 6:12 reminds believers that "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 contempt of the wicked is part of this larger spiritual conflict.

Response of the Faithful

In the face of such disdain, the faithful are called to remain steadfast and continue in their good works. Jesus, in Matthew 5:11-12, encourages believers, saying, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven." This assurance provides comfort and motivation for the faithful to persevere despite the contempt of the wicked.

The character of the wicked, as seen in their despising of the works of the faithful, serves as a reminder of the ongoing spiritual battle and the need for believers to remain vigilant, grounded in their faith, and committed to their divine calling.Nehemiah 2:19
But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that you do? will you rebel against the king?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Nehemiah 4:2
And he spoke before his brothers and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Timothy 3:3,4
Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

"Who Will Rise up with Me against the Wicked?"
... of some to "rise up against the wicked," and join ... that they were righteous, and
despising others;" nothing ... you any who do not answer the preceding character. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 52 who will rise.htm

Of the Loosing of the Devil, and of the Second and Greatest ...
... is any more called irreligious; since despising the images of ... of men,"in short, to
remove the wicked from the ... by the innate sanctity of thy character, and by ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxvi of the loosing of.htm

Peter of Chelcic, 1419-1450.
... Of all the bargains ever struck, the most wicked, ruinous and ... them of fawning on
the rich and despising the poor ... They allowed men of the vilest character to be ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter iv peter of chelcic.htm

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... If you call me wicked for following your example, what ... unsatisfactory to those who
have not read his works. ... are like brothers in life and character and learning ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /

The Declensions of Christianity, an Argument of Its Truth.
... It was never the character of that church to ... pretending to superior knowledge and
penetration, despising law and ... up for God +"none to warn the wicked, or to ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon iv the declensions of.htm

Miscellaneous Subjects.
... have to unfold to the incomprehensible One our true character. ... as though he now means
one who is despising the law ... are the tares or children of the wicked one. ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter xvi miscellaneous subjects.htm

Easter Sunday
... the Corinthians to the true character and purpose ... wickedness"; he means whatever
is evil and wicked. ... Christian liberty; for that is despising and blaspheming ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/easter sunday.htm

the Manner of this Oversight
... predominant, according to the quality or character of the ... wickedness, you show that
you are wicked yourselves ... too much in their master, and despising those that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/section 2 - the manner.htm

The Spirit and the Flesh
... Wise men say that you can tell the character of any ... while, and who knew it; hating
and despising himself for ... be no more wicked than a dumb beast can be wicked. ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon vi the spirit and.htm

The Kingdom of God Conceived as the Inheritance of the Poor.
... in fact, a very mixed character, and one ... Despising these miserable aberrations of
the religious sentiment ... were seen persons said to lead wicked lives, perhaps ...
//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter xi the kingdom of.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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