The contemporary Gospel does not teach people how to develop a life of faith. It is more concerned with getting them into a church, and keeping them there, than it is with getting them to know God, and depend on Him.
18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth in mercy.
Micah 7:18
I have thought it convenient to write about these three topics, and to combine them, because Christian generations are rising who do not know God, who do not know how He acts, and therefore, who do not know how to discern between the holy and the profane.
The deficiency is that the format used for the proclamation of the Gospel does not teach people how to develop a life of faith.
It is more concerned with getting them into a church, and keeping them there, than it is with getting them to know God, and depend on Him.
This way of processing the Gospel has led many faith communities to nurture evil behavior, and they don’t know it.
26 Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.
Ezekiel 22:26
And I say that they are feeding a conduct of evil, precisely because they tolerate secular behaviors built on moralistic premises, which have no foundation or testimony of the Word or of the Spirit.
20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Isaiah 8:20
The purpose of Grace is for everyone to draw closer to Jesus, and to learn to live in direct dependence on the Lord.
The theological task, interpretation, exegesis, hermeneutics, is unfocused, or better we should say, biased, and is leading many communities to sin in naivety.
So, as the writer of the epistle to the Hebrews warned, we need to be re-taught the first rudiments of the Word of God, to stop being infants in the sense and to seek perfection.
The Gospel of the Kingdom is not based on preaching, accepting Jesus. The Gospel of the Kingdom is based on the proclamation of repent and be converted.
Before accepting Jesus, it is paramount to first repent of the wickedness under which one has lived all this time, and then live in subjection to the Lordship of Jesus. This message was established from the time of John the Baptist.
8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
Luke 3:8
What should we repent of? That we are sinners. This applies to men and women of faith: we must repent of living according to sinful standards and behaviors….
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Romans 5:19
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
1 John 1:10
To accept Jesus means to be willing to submit to his Lordship. But one who has not recognized that sin has alienated him from God cannot submit under his Lordship, so the first step is to repent of his sinful condition, to receive forgiveness of sins,
And Peter saith unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:38
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out; for the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord,
Acts 3:19
Repentance is a unique act that is executed at the moment when each one of us makes the decision to get in touch with the Lord, and to approach his presence.
However, to the extent that we submit ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus, to that extent we denounce and surrender evil behaviors that have governed our lives and have been the hallmark of our personal self.
So, as we can see, it is necessary first of all to identify what we need to repent of, and receive forgiveness for sins, in order to then live in submission under His Lordship.
WHAT IS WICKEDNESS? WHAT ARE WICKED BEHAVIORS?
Wickedness is the harm caused to something or someone, whether or not it has been done. Wickedness is measured according to the magnitude of the harm caused or expected to be caused.
A wicked behavior is any perverse intention towards something or someone, which is forged, cultivated, and fertilized in the heart of the person, and which is kept hidden from everyone, even from the person himself.
We define perverse intention as any atheistic attitude, contrary to God, unwilling to submit to the Lordship of Jesus, and which seeks to harm that, or to whom, it is directed.
Wicked behaviors arise from the wickedness of the person’s attitude. They have the characteristic of being reiterative actions.
Hypocrisy is wickedness. Hypocrisy is all pretense of intention. It is accompanied by a visible appearance, by way of a screen, to hide the true intentionality of the person.
2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward… 5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward… 16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Mathew 6:2-16
Wickedness behavior based on hypocrisy develops a tolerance and use of lying, and makes it seen in many cases as a necessary and justifiable action.
Iniquity is wickedness. Iniquity is the attitude and/or action of revolting against another person. Iniquity can take the form of physical aggression,
8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him… 13 And Cain said unto the LORD, My iniquity is too great to be forgiven.
Genesis 4:8-13
Iniquity can be carried out through offensive, denigrating, and defamatory words.
If iniquity be in thine hand, and thou cast it from thee, And consent not to wickedness in thy dwellings;
Job 11.14
The conduct of wickedness based on iniquity develops an attitude of constant criticism, backbiting, gossip, mockery, humiliation, and the raising of accusations against others.
3 Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity,
Psalm 28:3
which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.
Iniquity can also take the form of revenge,
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Romans 12:19
Idolatry is wickedness. Idolatry is any attitude and activity of prostrating oneself before an image of value and following it as the strength of one’s actions.
5 thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
Exodus 20:5
It is also considered as idolatry, the use of talismans, amulets, in short, the use of any object that confers security in situations of fear.
19 Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord God of hosts.
Jeremiah 2:19
Idolatry may also be abstract.
3 Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?
Ezekiel 14:3
Wicked behavior based on idolatry develops a codependency to people, objects, places, and even situations. Generally speaking, idolatrous values generate a need for something, or someone.
Abuse of power is wickedness. Abuse of power is taking advantage of a position of authority, or privilege, to force others to act in capricious and pre-established ways.
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness; for they are her near kinswomen: it is wickedness.
Leviticus 18:17
Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.
Leviticus 19:29
Wicked behavior based on the abuse of power develops an attitude of arrogance, of superiority, and leads others to feel guilty if they do not act in the way they are imposed to act.
43 Thou shalt not rule over him with rigour; but shalt fear thy God… 46 And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession; they shall be your bondmen forever: but over your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigour.
Leviticus 25:43-46
Adultery is wickedness,
Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
Proverbs 30:20
Adultery has a spiritual foundation. It is the result of a life that has practiced and/or tolerated prostitution. Access to prostitutes opens doors of adultery for future generations.
14 I will not punish your daughters when they commit whoredom, nor your spouses when they commit adultery: for themselves are separated with whores, and they sacrifice with harlots: therefore the people that doth not understand shall fall.
Hosea 4:14
A conduct of wickedness based on adultery promotes idolatry,
23 because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours’ wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and am a witness, saith the Lord.
Jeremiah 29:23
The conduct of wickedness based on adultery develops unbelief and hardness of the heart.
24 But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.
Jeremiah 7:24
8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
Matthew 19:8
Deception is wickedness. Deception is any usurpation of the truth and the imposition of biased situations to provoke the one who is deceived to act as premeditated. Deception and abuse of power go hand in hand.
His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud under his tongue is mischief and vanity:
Psalm 10:7
A behavior of wickedness based on deception develops a satanic movement in the environment where the person moves.
10 and said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
Acts 13:10
Setting up a trap is wickedness,
23 Yet, Lord, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slay me: forgive not their iniquity, neither blot out their sin from thy sight, but let them be overthrown before thee; deal thus with them in the time of thine anger.
Jeremiah 18:23
Setting a trap is equivalent to setting a stumbling block in front of a blind man,
14 Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the Lord.
Leviticus 19:14
A wickedness behavior based on the attitude of setting a trap for the downfall of others develops an environment of death and destruction in its surroundings.
3 And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.
Esther 8:3
Setting traps causes the very downfall of the generation that comes out of the one who is used to setting traps,
18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.
Proverbs 1:18
26 For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.
Jeremiah 5:26
To misrepresent is wickedness. To misrepresent is to present data more than the actual data. It is any intention to deliver less value than is expected or offered.
Divers weights are an abomination unto the Lord; and a false balance is not good.
Proverbs 20:23
The conduct of wickedness based on the action of embezzlement establishes hindrance, and the person who practices it, even his relatives, cannot approach God.
He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.
Hosea 12:7
Lying and deceit are also considered as embezzling the truth.
5 saying, when will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?
Amos 8:5
Whoever is used to embezzling promotes an atheistic environment.
11 Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights?
Micah 6:11
Sorcery is wickedness. Sorcery is any ritual act by which another person is enveloped in a hypnotic condition.
And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts.
Malachi 3:5
Sorcery is developed through actions. A gift to obtain something in return is sorcery. Sorcery is by all means executed to obtain something in return.
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Revelation 21:8
A wicked behavior based on sorcery develops manipulative activity with words and actions. Actions of sorcery are promoted through gifts, bribery, gallantry, seduction, flattery.
Enchantments are wickedness. Incantations are hypnotic forms. A song is an incantation. Prayers and vain repetitions, like mantras are incantations.
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
2 Timothy 2:16
Incantations are given by means of chanted and/or hummed refrains, slogans, famous phrases, mantras.
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Colossians 2:8
The music, the rhythms, the repeated sounds, also serve as incantations.
from which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling.
1 Timothy 1:6
Incantations are anything that stimulates the senses to coerce the person to seek that which is promoted. The sound of the music of a traveling ice cream cart enchants those who listen and moves them to buy.
O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
1 Timothy 6:20
Raising rumors against someone is wickedness,
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Exodus 20:16
20 Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Deuteronomy 5:20
A wicked behavior based on raising rumors develops speculation, gossip, nonsense comments. Rumors promote an environment of lies, deception, falsehood.
Rumors are double-meaning talk, and even underground communications.
A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
Proverbs 25:18
Slandering someone behind their back is wickedness,
13 If any man take a wife, and go in unto her, and hate her, 14 and give occasions of speech against her, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came to her, I found her not a maid: 15 then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the damsel’s virginity unto the elders of the city in the gate: 16 and the damsel’s father shall say unto the elders, I gave my daughter unto this man to wife, and he hateth her; 17 and, lo, he hath given occasions of speech against her, saying, I found not thy daughter a maid; and yet these are the tokens of my daughter’s virginity. And they shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city. 18 And the elders of that city shall take that man and chastise him; 19 and they shall amerce him in an hundred shekels of silver, and give them unto the father of the damsel, because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel: and she shall be his wife; he may not put her away all his days.
Deuteronomy 22:13-19
Wicked behavior based on defamation promotes an environment of falsehood, theft, abuse, embezzlement, bribery. The environment is one of poverty and scarcity.
In general terms, wicked behaviors are any intentionality that is forged in the mind of the person, with the purpose of taking advantage of someone, to obtain personal benefits, or to harm one or several people.
Wickedness accumulates and produces over time sin and disease. Wickedness is a condition, not a state. Wickedness is an abomination to the Lord.
Many of these actions are present in the attitudes and intentions of those who confess to being believers and are unaware of the seriousness of their wickedness.
There are behaviors of wickedness that are provoked by positions, and even by frequenting wrong places.
A yoga position is a position of invocation of spirits. A man of faith who adopts that same position is contaminated, and adopts, an attitude of wickedness that will begin to affect his performances.
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
Psalm 1:1
Likewise, there are behaviors of wickedness that are generated by worldly feelings that are not permitted to us. Adopting a social feeling about someone, or for something, that is not in accordance with God’s Will or purposes, generates wickedness.
11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
2 Corinthians 13:11
2 fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Philippians 2:2
Wickedness is nourished by human intentions, by the capacity to generate contrary feelings towards something or someone.
That is why we pointed out at the beginning of this topic, that many times it happens that a person can belong to a congregation of faith, but still maintain a behavior of wickedness unpleasant to the Lord, and that will eventually lead him to sin.
The reason this way of conducting oneself is because one has not been taught to work with the wickedness accumulated in the heart. It has been erroneously proclaimed that by accepting Jesus everything will change for the time being.
The Bible clearly points out that it is necessary to first repent, and ask for forgiveness, in order to be justified from sin, and receive sanctification.
18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: 20 these are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
Matthew 15:18-20
All Bible texts are taken from the Authorized King James Version (AKJV).
pastor Pedro Montoya
Treasure in Earthen Vessels 