Topical Bible: Malice: The Wicked: Speak With

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Topical Encyclopedia

Malice, in the biblical context, refers to the intention or desire to do evil or cause harm to others. It is a condition of the heart that manifests in actions and words, often leading to destructive behavior. The Bible frequently addresses the issue of malice, particularly in the context of the wicked, who are often depicted as speaking with malice.

Biblical References:

1. Psalm 10:7 : "His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue." This verse describes the wicked as having mouths filled with harmful intentions. Their speech is characterized by deceit and violence, indicating that malice is deeply rooted in their hearts.

2. Psalm 36:3 : "The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and well-doing." Here, the psalmist highlights the wickedness in speech, emphasizing that the words spoken by the wicked are not only deceitful but also devoid of wisdom and goodness.

3. Proverbs 12:6 : "The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them." This proverb contrasts the malicious intent of the wicked with the righteous speech of the upright. The wicked use their words as a trap, intending harm, while the righteous use their words to deliver and protect.

4. Proverbs 26:24-26 : "A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart. When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly." These verses warn against the deceitful speech of the wicked, who may disguise their malice with seemingly gracious words. However, their true intentions are eventually revealed.

5. Jeremiah 9:8 : "Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully. With his mouth a man speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him." This passage illustrates the duplicity of the wicked, who speak words of peace while harboring malicious intent in their hearts.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, malice is a manifestation of the sinful nature that separates humanity from God. It is a reflection of the corruption of the heart, which is inclined towards evil. The Bible consistently calls believers to reject malice and embrace righteousness, as seen in Ephesians 4:31 : "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice."

The wicked, in their speech, reveal the condition of their hearts. Their words are tools of destruction, aimed at causing harm and sowing discord. In contrast, the righteous are called to speak truth and life, reflecting the character of God in their interactions with others.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

3 John 1:10
Why, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and forbids them that would, and casts them out of the church.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

We Speak, Indeed, of the "Wrath" of God. ...
... We speak, indeed, of the "wrath" of God ... to "put off all these, anger, wrath, malice,
blasphemy, filthy ... the (punishments) which are to befall the wicked: for it ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxxii we speak indeed.htm

I Might Well Reply as I have done Even if it were a Question of a ...
... friendship to be, that I was not to speak against heretics ... not my heart to the words
of malice;" and, as he says elsewhere: "While the wicked stood before ...
/.../31 i might well reply.htm

Of Evil Angels
... And certainly it is as easy for a spirit to speak to our heart, as for a man to
speak to our ears. ... 11. For such is the malice of the wicked one, that he ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 72 of evil angels.htm

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... But when it is joined with envy and malice, against godliness ... keep us from the dainties
of the wicked Joabs, Judases ... Ver.10: O how doth this speak against the ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

Psalm XCIV.
... But why do I speak of the servants of God? ... By means of the malice of the wicked the
good is scourged, through the slave the son is chastened: thus is ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xciv.htm

"Who Will Rise up with Me against the Wicked?"
... of some to "rise up against the wicked," and join ... Let the Apostle speak: "Brethren,
if one of you err ... avoiding the least appearance of malice, bitterness, anger ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 52 who will rise.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xii. 32, "Whosoever Shall Speak ...
... of the Church, a "blasphemer, injurious, living in malice and envy ... the Son of Man,
that He might speak to us ... He "willeth not the death of the wicked, but rather ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxi on the words.htm

Acts xxviii. 1
... Nay, in this case of all others God turned (the malice of) that (wicked one) to ...
"Speak not of this instance," you will say: "(Job was not the worse,) but the ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily liv acts xxviii 1.htm

Conflict.
... Our author is claiming for the Christian Church the right to speak of the ... The one
bitterness in the life of our Lord Himself was the malice of the wicked. ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xiv conflict.htm

The Life of Mr. John Welch.
... constrained to leave that place, because of the malice of the ... to the town, the country
was so wicked and the ... and, as she hearkened, she heard him speak as by ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr john 5.htm