“An ungodly man digs up evil, and it is on his lips like a burning fire. A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends. A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good. He winks his eye to devise perverse things; he purses his lips and brings about evil” (Proverbs 16:27-30).
Just as the wise in heart have distinctive traits (Prov. 16:21-25), evil people have clear identification features. Ungodly people enjoy:
- Digging up evil about others and gossiping the juicy “news” to anyone who will listen.
- Sowing strife with and between others and then whispering about them until there is hostility and alienation.
- Enticing a neighbor into making decisions and doing things which are spiritually hurtful and dangerous.
- Devising perverse plans and seeking allies who will aid and abet their wickedness.
Repeatedly (Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 4:17-5:11; Col. 3:1-8; 2 Tim. 3:2-5; Titus 3:3; James 3:2-16) and emphatically, the New Testament epistles plainly state such spiritual evil is to be buried with the old man in the watery grave of baptism and to never be resurrected (Rom. 6:1-7). When you have been raised up with Christ (Col. 3:1)—circumcised with the circumcision made without hands and therefore the body of the sins of the flesh has been cut off by Christ (Col. 2:11)—you are to mortify your members which are on the earth (Col. 3:3).
Spiritual wickedness like gossip, sowing strife, being an evil influence, and devising perverse plans are to never once be named among the redeemed. It is not simply because such things are unwise; they are wicked.
