. WICKEDNESS. "It is because sentence upon a wicked act is not promptly carried out that men do evil so boldly. A sinner may do wrong and live to old age, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God: their fear of Him ensures this, but it will not be well with a wicked man nor will he live long; the man who does not fear God is a mere shadow." (Eccles 8:11-13 NEB).
WICKEDNESS LEADS TO DIVINE RETRIBUTION. "Deep in his heart, sin whispers to the wicked man who cherishes no fear of God. For he flatters himself in his own opinion and, when he is found out, he does not mend his ways." (Psalms 36:1,2 NEB).
"For we see Divine
retribution revealed from heaven and falling upon all the Godless wickedness of
men. In their wickedness they are stifling the truth. For all that
may be known of God by men lies plain before their eyes; indeed God Himself has
disclosed it to them. His invisible attributes, that is to say His everlasting
power and deity, have been visible, ever since the world began, to the eye of
reason, in the things He has made. There is
therefore no possible defence for their conduct; knowing God, they have refused
to honour Him as God, or to render Him thanks. Hence all their
thinking has ended in futility, and their misguided minds are plunged in
darkness." (Rom 1:18 "It is what comes out of a man that defiles him. For from inside, out of a man's heart, come evil thoughts, acts of fornication, of theft, murder, adultery, ruthless greed, and malice; fraud, indecency, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly; these evil things all come from inside, and they defile the man." (Mark 7:20-23 NEB).
HOW TO OVERCOME EVIL. 'If we wish to overcome evil, we must overcome it by good... by active occupation in some good word or work. The best antidote against evil of all kinds, against the evil thoughts which haunt the soul, against the needless perplexities which distract the conscience, is to keep hold of the good we have. Impure thoughts will not stand against pure words, and prayers, and deeds. Little doubts will not avail against great certainties. Fix your affections on things above, and then you will be less and less troubled by the cares, the temptations, the troubles of things on earth.' (A. P. Stanley). "Do not strive to outdo the evildoers or emulate those who do wrong. For like grass they soon wither, and fade like the green of spring." (Psalms 37:1,2 NEB).
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