Seven Sad Steps of Wickedness

Text: Ps. 36:1-4

Intro:

What is wrong with our country?  The undeniable conclusion is that what is wrong with America is the wickedness of God’s people.  The Psalmist provides us with seven sad steps of wickedness.

1. No fear of God.

1. Verse 1
2. There is no longer a fear of God from God’s people.
   1. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter, fear God and keep his commandments for the is the whole duty of man.”  Eccl. 12:13
   2. God’s people forfeit their testimony.
   3. There is no stand for right.
   4. There is the theft of the tithe and offerings.
   5. There are no standards.
   6. Few delight in His Word.
3. There is no longer a fear of God from the unsaved.
   1. When saved people live like saved people, unsaved people will want to become saved people.
   2. Why should the unsaved fear a God that even the saved will not fear?

1. Self-flattery.

1. Verse 2
2. Flattery is unearned praise.
   1. “I’m doing alright.”
   2. “I’m still spiritual.”
   3. “I am not as bas as …”
3. The way of the fool is right in his own eyes.  Prov. 12:15
4. Read II Cor. 10:12.
5. Never alter principles based on the lives of believers; alter lives based on principles in the Word of God.

III.  Sinful speech.

1. Verse 3a
2. The cursing tongue is a great hindrance and a sad advertisement.
3. It is appalling what believers will say.
4. The downward path to total wickedness continues with sinful speech.
5. Eph. 4:29 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth…”

1. Stopped the doing of good.

1. Verse 3b
2. The decline to wickedness continues by ceasing to do the good and the wise.
3. “He that winneth souls is wise.”  Prov. 11:30
4. “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”  James 4:17
5. “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” Prov. 13:20 Wickedness progresses as our spirituality declines.

1. Dreams mischief.

1. Verse 4
2. This is a term that describes vanity and wickedness.
3. “The carnal mind is at enmity against God.”  Rom 8:7
4. When you cease to dream about doing the good, you will dream about doing the evil.
5. The uncultivated field always produces weeds.
6. The thought life of the believer reveals his holiness or wickedness.

1. Wrong direction (or path).

1. Verse 4
2. If you are not on the right path, you are on the wrong path.
3. “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”  Matt. 7:14
4. If you do not build upon the good, you will be destroyed by the evil.
5. Wickedness is encountered when the wrong path is chosen.
6. This is not a thoughtless decision.  No.  It is the consequence of not choosing the right path.

VII.  No separation.

1. Verse 4c
2. “He abhoreth not evil.”
3. Your hatred (or love) for sin reveals your spiritual state.
4. This is the idea of entertaining sin.
5. Wickedness permits the wicked.

VIII.  Application.

1. This is the picture of too many believers.
2. Too many believers become careless.
3. Where does it start?  When the believer no longer fears God!