Defining Wickedness Biblically

What is wickedness? (Theological Concept)

Wickedness, as repeatedly emphasized in Scripture, represents a fundamental opposition to God’s will and moral order.

This concept is rooted in verses like Genesis 6:5, where the Lord observes that human wickedness has become pervasive and unrepentant, and in Psalm 5:9, which highlights how the wicked speak deceitfully while harboring malicious intent. These passages underscore that wickedness is active rebellion against divine truth, not merely moral failure.

Wickedness in the Old Testament

The Old Testament presents wickedness as a recurring pattern of moral corruption that provokes divine judgment.

In Genesis 6:5-7, God observes that human wickedness has become pervasive and unrepentant, leading to the flood that wipes out all life except Noah’s family. Similarly, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 18-19 illustrates how extreme moral decay - marked by violence, inhospitality, and sexual sin - elicits swift divine retribution. These narratives establish a clear link between escalating wickedness and catastrophic judgment.

Such accounts underscore that wickedness is a societal threat, not merely a personal failure. They set a foundation for understanding God’s commitment to justice throughout Scripture.

Wickedness in Proverbs 6:16-17

Proverbs 6:16-17 explicitly names seven sins God hates, with the first two - 'a proud look' and 'a lying tongue' - revealing foundational aspects of moral corruption.

The 'proud look' in Proverbs 6:17 signifies self-exaltation that displaces God from His rightful place in human hearts, reflecting a root rebellion against divine authority. A 'lying tongue' (Proverbs 6:17), meanwhile, embodies deceit as a deliberate distortion of truth, which fractures trust and undermines God’s character of honesty. These sins are symptomatic of a deeper spiritual disorder, not merely behavioral. Pride and falsehood erode the moral fabric of individuals and communities. By prioritizing these two, Scripture underscores how internal attitudes and verbal deception often precede and enable other forms of wickedness.

This focus on pride and deceit invites readers to examine the hidden motivations behind actions, preparing the way to explore how these sins interact with the remaining five in Proverbs’ theological framework.

Wickedness and the Heart

Jesus' teaching in Mark 7:21-23 radically redefines wickedness by locating its source not in external actions but in the human heart.

In Mark 7:21-23, Jesus confronts the Pharisees' fixation on ritual purity by declaring that 'what goes into a person from outside cannot defile them... but what comes out of a person is what defiles them.' He then enumerates internal vices like evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, and deceit as the true moral contaminants. This directly challenges the prevailing assumption that moral failure stems primarily from observable behaviors rather than the intentions and desires that motivate them. By emphasizing the heart's role, Jesus exposes the limitations of legalistic approaches to righteousness that neglect internal transformation.

This teaching reframes wickedness as a condition of the soul, not a catalog of sins. The Pharisees' external focus on handwashing or dietary laws (Mark 7:1-5) pales in comparison to the deeper work of examining motives and attitudes.

Understanding this heart-centered view of wickedness invites readers to consider how pride, greed, and malice operate beneath surface-level actions. It sets the stage for exploring how New Testament teachings address inner renewal through faith in Christ. This perspective transforms the pursuit of righteousness into a lifelong journey of inner purification as much as outward obedience.

Why wickedness Matters Today

Understanding wickedness as a condition of the heart (Mark 7:21-23) clarifies its enduring relevance in a world grappling with moral ambiguity and structural inequities.

Moral relativism, which dismisses objective truth, echoes the deceitful tongues condemned in Proverbs 6:17, eroding trust in communal and spiritual life. Systemic injustice, like the pervasive wickedness in Genesis 6:5-7, reflects societal moral decay that demands more than individual reform. These biblical insights challenge modern readers to confront both cultural complacency and institutional complicity in perpetuating harm.

Addressing wickedness requires ethical frameworks rooted in divine truth, not shifting cultural norms. By recognizing its origins in pride and deceit, we cultivate humility and honesty as antidotes to the moral failures that shape our personal and collective choices.

Going Deeper

To deepen your understanding of wickedness, consider its connection to related concepts like iniquity and sin, which Scripture also addresses with theological precision.

Romans 1:18-32 highlights how divine judgment follows the rejection of truth, while Revelation 21:8 explicitly names the ultimate consequence of unrepentant wickedness. Exploring these passages alongside the broader biblical narrative can clarify the gravity and scope of moral rebellion against God.