The Oxford Advance dictionary defines wicked as being morally bad. The synonym is mischievous. We also have more wicked and most wicked.
A close look at this scripture shows that to be wicked is doing that which is wrong and an unacceptable behaviour to man and in the sight of God. It is to know what is right and refuse to do it. There is a difference between a sinner and a wicked man, even though a sinner can be termed wicked. For a sinner, doing evil or wickedness is his nature. It is natural for a sinner to do wrong, as he does not even see it as wrong. It is the believer who is being transformed by salvation that knows what is wrong.
The Bible uses the words ‘wicked’ and ‘sinner’ because they are different. Oftentimes, the wicked is used to describe a believer’s act. When he did not do what is right in the sight of God and for the good of others. “But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.” Genesis 13: 13. “And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?” Genesis 18: 23.
Abraham negotiated with God and asked concerning Sodom and Gomorrah, “Will you destroy the righteous and the wicked?” He was differentiating the righteous who should not be destroyed, then the righteous who was wicked in nature, those who are doing wrong. That is, ‘God will you destroy the righteous and the wicked; those doing right and wrong together?’ He asked God, “If you find five righteous will you still destroy them with the wicked? This is because God judges right and He rewards right attitude and character.
“And Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord slew him,” Genesis 38:7.
Er was term wicked in the sight of the Lord. That is he did not do according to God’s will, he worked against the counsel of God.
“And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked,” Exodus 9:27.
When Moses was talking about Pharaoh, he mentioned he disobeyed God’s instruction. Not obeying God’s instruction is an act of wickedness. To witness or testify to a lie is an act of wickedness.
“Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness,” Exodus 23:1. Unfortunately, God does not justify a wicked man.
“Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked,” Exodus 23:7.
When Korah, Dathan and Abiram rebelled against Moses, it was seen as an act of wickedness, which in essence is working against the covenant. A believer trying to be wise in his or her own eyes against the instruction and word of God is practising wickedness. That is why Moses warned them that there should be no thought of wickedness in their hearts.
“Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee,” Deuteronomy 15:9.
When a child of God does not put his skills and talent to make profit and come out of poverty, this is tagged as wickedness.
We see the example of Matthew 25, the parable of the talent. Jesus gave one five talents, to another two talents and to another one talent. Those given five and two talents multiplied their talents and made profit, but the one given one talent did not work according to the master’s expectation because his heart was wicked. He hid it so that people will not benefit from it. Not being a blessing is an act of wickedness. Hiding your talent or what could be of benefit unto others or service to God is wickedness unto yourself and not unto God because you are hindering your light from shining.
“His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed,” Matthew 25:26.
You should note that this servant is a servant of Jesus, one of the trusted disciples, but he had mischief in him. Jesus called the man wicked and slothful.
