August 25, 2020

The Wicked Way #

Proverbs 21:27

Introduction

The word wicked or wickedness is used more frequently in the book of Proverbs than any other book of the Bible. It is used 9 times in 6 verses in this chapter. It is a theme can cannot be missed in this chapter.

I. Worship of the Wicked (Pro 21:27) #

Proverbs 21:27 – The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

A. Show – worship with selfish motive, is not worship #

1. Motive of giving (sacrifice) #

The widow woman who gave her 2 mites…
God is more interested in the heart than anything else!

2. “when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?” #

- - 3. There are those who plan the show… They want others to see what they do #
  - They talk about what they do…. Pharisees!!! -
    - Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

B. Sincerity #

God wants a sincere heart of worship.

II. Will of the Wicked (Pro 21:10) #

Proverbs 21:10 – The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

A. Evil desires #

1. Soul desire… evil. #

This is deep inside, this is not a passing fad, but a constant, burning desire to do evil.
Evil – harmful, mischievousness
Proverbs 1:8-16

B. Eyes of selfishness #

1. Neighbor is anyone that is close to you in the Bible. #

No one is every close to the wicked, he doesn’t favor anyone but himself.

2. He looks to take advantage of his neighbor. #

There are people who ONLY look to get something from you.
People who work in the police force, tend to see this more often. They see the wicked part of humanity on a regular basis.
Accident took place, I showed up after the accident, and before the police had arrived. The guy asked to borrow my cell phone, there was a strong inclination in me that said no. He was kind, but something in me said no. When the police showed up, they asked why I was there. I said, I was not here for the accident, but showed up just after to help. They immediately told me to go sit in my car. The police started dealing with the fellow that asked to borrow my phone, and he turned wicked. A string of profanity came out of his mouth towards the police officer.

III. Work of the Wicked (Pro 21:4) #

Proverbs 21:4 – An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

The greatest sin among religious people like you and I, and the sin that permeates churches, and in the end destroys churches and christians, is not alcohol; it’s not gambling, promiscuity, perversity, or even drugs.
IT IS PRIDE! The religious sin!

These are all equated on the same level ground. All three are wickedness, and all three are sin.

A. Pride #

1. Pride, is at the heart of racism! - on BOTH SDIES. #

Hatred of man based on the color of skin, is ungodly.
God exemplified love of man, and commands it.

2. Pride is an inward sin, that is not necessarily visible to man, but God sees it! #

1John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

B. Plowing (works) #

Plowing is not the legitimate fruitful works of the wicked, but rather refers to the work that wicked people would do.
Their works, are illegitimate… As we have looked at, their feet are swift to shed blood. They cheat, steal… etc.

IV. Way of the Wicked (Pro 21:29) #

Proverbs 21:29 – A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.

A. Unheeding #

1. Someone who will not listen to reason, the Word of God, or God. #

Scorners and fools mock, and do not listen to the Word of God!
Young people, don’t shut off the Word of God!

B. Unchanged #

Hearing the truth, they refuse to submit to God!

V. Whipping of the Wicked (Pro 21:12) #

Pro 21:12 – The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.

A. Possessions of the Wicked (Pro 21:12) #

1. The wicked have houses… corrupt, crooked powerful people, often have very nice things #

When you consider the headache that goes with it…

B. Payment for wrong (Pro 21:18) #

Proverbs 21:18 – The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

Ransom is a payment, the wicked will be payment for the righteous… in other words, they will pay for their actions to the righteous. Ex: Egypt

C. Pending condemnation (Pro 21:12) #

God will overthrow the wicked…

Proverbs 21 - Wickedness