We usually think of the Bible as presenting to us examples of good men and women. And it certainly does. There are great men and women of faith held out as examples to us and we ought to emulate them insofar as they present to us a Christ-like life (I Cor. 11:1). But the Bible also presents to us men and women whose examples are to be avoided because they are some of the most vile and wicked people ever to walk the face of the earth (I Cor. 10:6; II Pet. 2). If we were to make a list, a few names would surely be on it.

While Adam and Eve were not wicked per se, they were responsible for bringing sin, and consequently disease, disaster and death, into the world (Rom. 5:12). While they had everything they could possibly need for this life in the garden, they were not satisfied. They wanted that which fulfilled the lusts of the flesh and of the mind (Eph. 2:1-3) and gave in to the lusts of the flesh, lusts of the eyes and the pride of life (I John 2:15-17). Though they tried to cover their sins, they could not hide from Him who sees all (Heb. 4:13). We can be sure our sins will find us out (Num. 32:23).

Cain deserves to be on this list because he is described as being of “that wicked one” (I John 3:12). Cain slew Abel, his brother, and was the first to do so in Bible history, all because his own works were unrighteous and his brother’s works righteous. His works were unrighteous because he did not obey the Lord’s commands regarding worship, for his offering was not “by faith” (Heb. 11:4). Since faith comes by hearing the word of God, we may correctly infer that Abel offered his sacrifice according to God’s revealed will, while Cain would not submit to such instruction (Rom. 10:17). God desires that we worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).

Next on the list is not merely one or two, but a whole world full of degenerate and wicked people. During the days of Noah, the Bible describes that the “wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of man’s heart was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5). The only redeeming feature of this time was Noah, who was a just man and perfect in his generations (Gen. 6:9). Can you imagine a time when every thought of man was only evil, continually? Can you imagine a world so wicked that God regretted that He had made man (Gen. 6:6)?

Such were the days of Noah. So wicked that only eight souls were counted worthy by God of being saved. We do not know how many were in the world at that time, but eight out of all others was surely a small ratio (I Pet. 1:20). Jesus said this ratio will hold true on judgement day, as well. He said few will find the strait and narrow path just as few found salvation from that wicked antediluvian realm (Matt. 7:13,14).

Another group that makes this list are the people of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19). When the two angelic visitors entered Lot’s home, the men of this wicked place wanted them to be brought out that they might “know” them (cf. Gen. 4:1). This vile corruption has been characteristic of many cultures in the past. Paul declared that these glorified not God, even though they knew Him, but burned in their unclean lusts one toward another, women burned in their lusts one toward another, and the men leaving the natural use of the woman, men with men, working that which is unseemly (Rom. 1:21-27).

How disgusting and wicked! God gave them their just reward and Sodom was destroyed from the face of the earth (Rom. 1:27). All that was left was a smoldering cinder (Gen. 19:28). Can any nation long endure which not only abides this wickedness but revels in it? Knowing the judgement of God, not only are they which commit such things worthy of death but also those who have pleasure in them (Rom. 1:32). Certainly those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (I Cor. 6:9,10).

Next week we will continue our examination of the most wicked people in the Bible.

Eric L. Padgett