“When the wicked man comes [to the depth of evil], contempt [of all that is pure and good] also comes, And with inner baseness (dishonor) comes outer shame (scorn).
Proverbs 18:3 AMP
We are warned today about the path of wicked. The Hebrew word here is the word meaning, “pertaining to that which is evil with a focus on violating the standard; Pertaining to being legally guilty of violating a standard or law; a class of persons found guilty.” The word wickedness is the word meaning, “A state or condition of with a focus on actively violating the law; A wantonness desire to do damage.” So the wicked man from the depth of his heart brings forth from the evil desires of his heart a wantonness to do that which is against natural law. This activity then is deserving of punishment by the keepers of the standard, in our current state, laws! This is why when we see the court system failing to “keep the standard” we know that evil is abounding, and wickedness is ramped! Remember verse 23 of the previous chapter?
“A wicked man receives a bribe from the [hidden] pocket to pervert the ways of justice.”
Proverbs 17:23 AMP
Verse 5 of this chapter warns,
“To show respect to the wicked person is not good, nor to push aside and deprive the righteous of justice.”
Proverbs 18:5 AMP
The fruit of wickedness is cultivated in the unrepentant heart. The book of 1st Samuel tells us that,
“As the proverb of the ancients says, ‘Out of the wicked comes wickedness’; but my hand shall not be against you.”
1 Samuel 24:13 AMP
While being unjustly pursued by King Saul, David was willing to take the high road because his heart was right toward God! All of King Saul’s activities stemmed from what was in his heart, a fear that David was trying to steal his throne!
Our verse today tells us that once a condition of an evil heart has taken place, contempt for all that is righteous is the result. The word contempt here is the Hebrew word meaning “to have disrespect; to verbally mock; to demonstrate through action against the established standards.” We see the reality of this playing out every day as the wicked press the righteous to accept their immoral behaviors and standards.
The bottom line to our verse today can be summed up by the words of our Savior,
“The [intrinsically] good man produces what is good and honorable and moral out of the good treasure [stored] in his heart; and the [intrinsically] evil man produces what is wicked and depraved out of the evil [in his heart]; for his mouth speaks from the overflow of his heart.”
Luke 6:45 AMP
What’s in your heart today? Are you bringing forth good treasures of life-giving purpose? This is why true salvation is a “heart transplant!” The old way of wickedness is gone and all things have become new in the light of His glory and grace! Have a fruitful day! Pastor Ken