When The Door Slams
The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over. (Proverbs 4:18-19 NLT)
We seem to have a fascination with evil. We are curious to what set evil people off and perhaps wonder how much darkness is in us. Psychologists have identified three personalities they call "the Dart Triad": Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. Narcissism combines flamboyant and a need for admiration with the lack of empathy. Machiavellianism involves a mastery of manipulation, exploitation, and deceit. Psychopathy is marked by impulsivity, selfishness, callousness, and a lack of remorse.
The Dark Triad are capable of extreme cruelty. We see in historical figures like Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and Mao Zedong. Not only in dictators. But also in public figures such as government, politicians and religious leaders have been identified as exhibiting the behaviors of the Dark Triad. The book of Proverbs simply calls these behaviors "wicked."
Think about this: While fools stumble blindly, the wicked calculate their steps. That is the difference, and it is not inconsequential. Fools and the wicked share some of the same behaviors, but the wicked are far more nefarious. Not only are they more cunning and prepared, but their personality traits also enable them to rise to positions of power.
"The wicked accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice" (Proverbs 17:23). This frustrated Solomon as he grew older. He grieve over the success of the wicked: "In my vain life I have seen everything. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing" (Ecclesiastes 7:15). "Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?" We all have felt the sting.
Yet the Scriptures promise that the righteous will be rewarded and the wicked punished: "The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short" (Proverbs 10:27). This promise is repeated throughout the Old Testament (Psalms 37:13; 92:7; Proverbs 24:19-20; Isaiah 57:20-21). What should we do with our frustration over this seemingly unfulfilled promise?
Petition: Don't do as the wicked do, and don't follow the path of evildoers. Don't even think about it; don't go that way. Turn and keep moving. For evil people can't sleep until they've done their deed for the day. They can't rest until they've caused someone to stumble. They eat the food of wickedness and drink the wine of violence! (Proverbs 4:14-17).
Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.
Never Rest Ministries
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