Wickedness

Proverbs 12:3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. 

‘A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.’ Lawlessness will not establish a man, but righteousness will. All sin against man is primarily against God.

Seven things God opposes: He takes no pleasure in wickedness (Ps. 5:4). He cannot dwell with evil. He cannot tolerate the foolish (boasters) to stand in His presence. He hates workers of iniquity (Ps. 5:5). He hates leasing (falsehood, Ps. 5:6). He abhors bloody men. He abhors deceitful men.

Four main traits of wicked men: [1] Unfaithful. [Hebrew: kuwn] Translated as stable (1Chr. 16:30); stablish (2Sam. 7:13; 1Chr. 17:12; 2Chr. 17:5; Ps. 93:1; Hab. 2:12); stand (Jdg. 16:26); firm (Jos. 3:17; 4:3); and establish (2Sam. 7:12; 1Chr. 17:11; 22:10; etc.). Here it means no steadfastness or stability; no dependability in what is said. [2] Inwardly wicked – corrupt to the core. “Wickedness” comes from the Hebrew word havvah translated as wickedness (Ps. 5:9; 52:7; 55:11), perverse thing (Job 6:30), iniquity (Ps. 94:20), and naughtiness (Pro. 11:6). Its root means “to fall.” “Inward part” comes from the Hebrew word qereb, meaning the centre. Translated as inward (Ps. 5:9; 49:11; 64:6; Isa. 16:11; Jer. 31:33) and inwards (Ex. 29:13-22; Lev. 1:9-13; 3:3-14; 4:8-11; 7:3; 8:16-25; 9:14). [3] The throat is an open sepulchre [Hebrew: qeber] grave (Ps. 5:9; Isa. 22:16; Jer. 5:16). Streams of impurities come from within (Mark 7:19-21). [4] They flatter with their tongue (Ps. 5:9; 12:3; Pro. 26:28; 28:23; 29:5).

Seven facts about the wicked: They work wickedness in the heart (Ps. 58:2). Their hands are filled with violence. They are estranged from the womb (Ps. 58:3). They go astray from birth. They speak lies from childhood. They are as poisonous as serpents (Ps. 58:4). They are like a deaf adder.