In today’s episode, join us as we delve into the powerful words of Proverbs 15, discussing the profound implications of wickedness in our lives. Through scripture, we uncover the severity of divine judgment against wicked acts and thoughts, offering listeners a path to follow through God’s guidance.
Friends, where there are warnings, there is also direction. And what a blessing to search the scriptures today that when we see a warning, there’s a blessing coming up to help us. Let’s talk about it today on the International Gospel Hour. We’ll be right back.
SPEAKER 02 :
Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour. We’re so glad you’ve decided to listen to our program today. In a world of challenges, we need God’s Word to help us face those challenges. Thank you for joining us in this period of Bible study with our speaker, Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, a broadcast of the Churches of Christ. So let’s listen today. Here’s Jeff.
SPEAKER 01 :
Well, greetings everyone. Glad to have you with us and thank you so much for joining us here for our broadcast from the International Gospel Hour. We are under the oversight of the elders of the West Fayetteville, Tennessee Church of Christ. Our address is P.O. Box 118, Fayetteville, Tennessee, 37334. Our 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week toll-free number, 855-444-6988. Our website is internationalgospelhour.com. We would love to hear from you, and we hope that our studies today will be of help to you as well. Friends, let’s talk about the way of the wicked. This lesson is a very simple one and it’s applicable to everyone. There are several words used in lexicons and dictionaries to define the word wicked, such as evil, morally bad, harmful, injurious, reproachful, one who causes trouble, disposed to mischief, diseased, malignant, wretched, condemned, ungodly, unjust, one who does wrong, opposite of righteousness, depravity, evil plots and schemes to do harm to others, etc., It’s not hard to get the picture, is it? And there is so much in the Bible on the subject in hundreds of verses with warnings, examples, and judgments. So today, this lesson will be confined to Proverbs 15. We’ll pick up there in just a moment.
SPEAKER 02 :
international gospel hour is on instagram just search international gospel hour click follow and you’re set you can keep up with international gospel hour on instagram and feel free to share our content thank you so much let’s begin with proverbs 15 and verse 9 that says the way of the wicked is an abomination to the lord there is such a thing as being wicked
SPEAKER 01 :
Not everybody is a good person. In fact, we all have sinned, Romans 3.23 and Romans 5.12. There are those who work iniquity, Matthew 7.23, and will not do the will of the Lord, Matthew 7.21. Even a member of the church is called wicked in 1 Corinthians 5.13. What about the way of the wicked? It is an abomination to the Lord. That means it is disgusting, abhorrent, loathed, and offensive. It is looked upon with intense hatred as a detestable deed. It brings God’s wrath and anger upon the wicked person because it violates His holiness, justice, and intolerance of sin. It’s not a trivial matter, friends. Proverbs 6, 16-19 says, These six things doth the Lord hate. Yes, seven are abomination unto Him. A proud look, a lying tongue, feet that be swift to running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. The outward appearance of a wicked person may seem a desirable pathway. Proverbs 14, 12 says, There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Psalm 73, 3, I saw the prosperity of the wicked. That is why some think it is desirable. But it matters not what seems to man or man’s evaluation. How does it appear before the Lord? It is an abomination. We go to Proverbs 15 and verse 8 where the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord. Sacrifice is a performance of worship the wicked may attempt to worship God. Would not this seem to be something admirable? Many sacrifices are commanded, but God does not accept just any worship that may be offered from just anybody who offers it. We have the examples of Cain, Nadab, Abihu, and the Israelites, whose worship was often rejected. It is unfortunate that some think God must and will be pleased with whatever worship is given to Him. There is such a thing as vain worship, Matthew 7, 7 and 8. Samuel told Saul, Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, 1 Samuel 15, 22. Worship that is not accompanied with a righteous life is unacceptable. Proverbs 28, verse 9, He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. We cannot cover our sins by a pretense of worship. We do nobody a favor to leave the impression all worship is suitable. Let’s continue from Proverbs 15 and verse 20. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord. God knows the hearts, minds, and thoughts of man. In this matter we are limited, but not God. We may deceive others and ourselves, but never deceive God. Moses warned, Be sure your sin will find you out, Numbers 32, 23. Hebrews 4, verse 13 says, Neither is there any creature that is not manifested in his sight, But all things are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Proverbs 4, 23 says, Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 23, 7, For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. Matthew 15, 18 and 19. But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart, and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies, Genesis chapter 6 tells us the thoughts of the hearts of those people were evil continually. Peter told Simon, Acts 8, For thy heart is not right in the sight of God. God knows the evil heart and disapproves. Now Proverbs 15, 29 The Lord is far from the wicked. This is the tragedy of the matter. Fellowship with God is destroyed. It is when we walk in the light that we have fellowship with deity, 1 John 1, 6 and 7. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers, but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil, 1 Peter 3, 12. Salvation is far from the wicked, for they seek not thy evil. or seek not thy statutes, rather, Psalm 119, 155. Paul described the Ephesians before they became Christians as being without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world, or afar off, Ephesians 2, 12 and 13. The Bible is very certain about the eternal destiny of those who go the way of the wicked. Psalm 1, verse 6, But the way of the ungodly shall perish. Psalm 37, 38, the end of the wicked shall be cut off. Psalm 73, 19, how are they brought into desolation? As in a moment, they are utterly consumed with terrors. Psalm 145, verse 20, but all the wicked he will destroy. 2 Thessalonians 1, verse 9, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power. And Matthew 25, 46, And these shall go away into everlasting punishment. Folks, sobering words to be sure. Now, we have read only a portion of each of the verses from Proverbs 15. There is more that presents another side. Proverbs 15.8 reads, “…the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.” Proverbs 15.9 reads, “…the way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord, but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.” Proverbs 15, 26 reads, The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but the words of the pure are pleasant words. Proverbs 15, 29, The Lord is far from the wicked, but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. Now the point is that these same verses where we are warned of the dreadful, deadly way of the wicked, we have words of encouragement and promise to the followers of God. and there is no doubt which way God expects us to go. Enter ye in at the straight gate, for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth us to destruction, or that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. But straight is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7, 13 and 14 Friends, let’s take a moment here And as we consider these thoughts, I’ll come back with some wrap-up, but let’s take a pause here and share with you, through our J-Web, another option of study from International Gospel Hour.
SPEAKER 02 :
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SPEAKER 01 :
Dear friends, I’m sure you will conclude and will come to the conclusion with me that the way of the wicked is not the direction to go. And how blessed we are with these passages from Proverbs 15 that we see the other side of the matter. Yes, friends, where there are warnings, there is also direction. And how thankful we are to God through His word that He grants such. And once again, friends, I am indebted to a beloved friend and brother, James W. Boyd, for our study today, courtesy of his work titled, A Burning Fire, Volume 19. Now, of course, where you have 19 volumes, you know there are, or where you have a Volume 19, rather, you know you have Volumes 1 through 18. But let me mention something special of Volume 19. I want to mention Brother Boyd’s children, Amy, Bill, Steve, and Sam, who decided to make Volume 19 of A Burning Fire available for everyone. Thanks to Brother Boyd’s children, and I appreciate you very much and love you much. We want you to check out aburningfire.net. Now, that is aburningfire, one whole word, dot net, and you can see more additional sound, solid biblical material penned by Brother Boyd from over 70 years of preaching. And again, that is aburningfire.net. So please visit for the boys’ website. We know you’ll be greatly encouraged, and we are thankful to encourage you to turn there. For the boys’ website, aburningfire.net. And friends, from this study, well, we’ll continue our studies together at another time. Thank you for joining me today on the International Gospel Hour broadcast. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, as always, keep listening.
SPEAKER 02 :
May this study prompt your search of God’s word for his will in your life. To assist you in your study or to listen to our other programs, please visit our website at internationalgospelhour.com. To God be the glory. God be with you till we meet again.
