HOW SIN AND SINNERS

TROUBLE US

Blessed is the one

who does not walk in the way of the wicked,

or stand in the way of sinners,

or sit in the seat of mockers.

Psalm 1.1

“WICKED” “SINNERS” “MOCKERS”

Really?

Do we really think of our family and friends with these names?

Aren't these names reserved for the bad people out there somewhere?

??? “WICKED” “SINNERS” “MOCKERS” ???

When we think and speak of others with these words, what are we really saying about them?

More importantly,

when God uses these words to describe people,

the human race,

you and me,

what is He saying to and about us?

If we are seriously interested in what God is saying about us, in any or each or every word He uses, we can easily do so online at this website:

http://www.blueletterbible.org/index.cfm

Here we would find “Wicked” defined as “trouble,” “troubled,” “troubling,” as in Isaiah 57. 20. 20-21: “The 'wicked' are like the troubled sea...”

“Sinners” are defined as those who “miss the mark,” (and so "mistaken," "misunderstood," “coming up short,” etc.) as in Judges 20.16: “seven hundred select troops...who could sling a stone at a hair and “not miss.”

"Mockers" are seen as those who say critical, condemning, blaming, shaming, cruel things...etc., about one another, as in Pro. 9.8: “...a mocker...will hate you...” and Pro. 14.9: “Fools mock at making amends for sin...”

If we are around troubled, mistaken mockers, we may very well be seriously affected by these people.

Worse, we will become like them in reaction. Just as a smile brings forth smiles, and a frown brings forth frowns, trouble causes trouble, misunderstanding causes misunderstandings, mocking...mockings.

It is the effects of these people on us that Psalm 1.1 is addressing.

It is these effects that Jesus has in mind when He says, “From within, out of the heart of men, come 'evil' thoughts....”  Mark 7.20.

“Evil” here is the internal problems caused by the effects Psalm 1.1 that Jesus is addressing.

It is from these very destructive forces within us that Jesus came to save us:

Jesus came

“to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,

and enable us to serve him without fear

in holiness and righteousness

before him all our days.”

Luke 1:74-75

The Gospel of such a salvation

is the reason

for such a season.