Bible Reading: Psa. 7; 2 Pet. 1:1-7.
“Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins”- Psalm 7:9 KJV
The Hebrew word for wickedness as used in the Old Testament is “rish’ah” and it means “guilt” and when used as an adjective, it is “rasha’ ” which means criminal or guilty one. So in Old Testament, all wickedness is considered criminal acts worthy of punishment in God’s eyes. All crime (sin) is against God for, all crimes are hurtful to both the criminal and the victim, both creatures of God!
Also in the New Testament, the Greek word “poneria” was used in Eph 6:12 to describe wickedness. This also means depravity, malice or iniquity. This aligns with the Old Testament usage that it is done to harm others. Since the wages sin of is death, it means it is also hurtful to the wicked person though he may not realize it at the point of the wickedness.
Now let’s return to our memory verse that the Psalmist said; Psalm 7:9 KJV: “Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.”
So everyone that is still involved in sin is wicked! And this explains why a number of people do not get answers to their prayers. We all need to examine ourselves and identify any area of wickedness in our lives and bring it to an end. Every form of sin in the life of a believer, makes that believer unholy and wicked and it is important that you should call on the Holy Spirit to help cleanse you and put a stop to the wickedness.
Any believer who is saved by the precious blood of Jesus and goes to commit sin is creating spots on his new body in Christ. Every sin committed is additional spot and until those spots are removed again by seeking the face of God in repentance and godly sorrow, they would remain. Eph 5:27 says that Jesus is coming for a church without spot, wrinkle or blemish so anyone with spots does not belong to the glorious church.
We are starting a new year in less than twenty four hours, it is important that you end today on a clean note by asking for mercy now and making a new covenant with our Lord and Saviour that you will not go back to any form of wickedness again but that you will clothe yourself with the righteousness of Christ. Father, establish me in your righteousness in Jesus name.
Prayer: Father, let the body of Christ experience a revival and let every Christian begins to live a life of righteousness from today in Jesus name.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero