Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all. In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are. Everything they say is crooked and deceitful. They refuse to act wisely or do good. They lie awake at night, hatching sinful plots. Their actions are never good. They make no attempt to turn from evil. [Psalm 36.1-4]
What is described in this passage in Psalm 36 today is the plight of a non-repentant person.
Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts... The conscience of this person knows its sin. It is "in the heart" protected there, tolerated, familiar, and premeditated.
They have no fear of God at all... This person consciously considers God's way versus sin and chooses sin without fear of consequence. This person has ignored the fact that sin leads to death. This person ignores God's Word that says blessings follow the obedient and curses the disobedient.
In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are... This person's pride convinces him that he is above sin and he therefore recognizes neither his disobedient sin nor its obvious consequences (Deuteronomy 28). Regardless what the Bible says about sin and its consequences, he ignores the obvious implications of the consequences of sin present in his life.
Everything they say is crooked and deceitful... This person, in blind conceit, must lie and believe his own lies. Otherwise, there would necessarily be reckoning for his sin.
They refuse to act wisely or do good... This person looks at the Word of God and the Truth it portrays regarding good and evil and blessings and curses, and, even in the pain and tragedy of sin refuses to repent.
They lie awake at night, hatching sinful plots... This person cannot help but foster evil in his most private setting: in bed. The bed is where evil thoughts abound in this person.
Their actions are never good... This person will constantly be acting out in a way that reveals his heart.
They make no attempt to turn from evil... This person will not make repentance an exercise of will.
Why? Because pride causes a person to fail to rightly discern obvious circumstances in his life (that curses are only the result of sin). If a person has convinced himself that curses are not the result of sin, then that person can justify pretty much anything he wants to do regardless of the consequences.
Repentance is the only remedy. All repentance requires is that one acknowledge that curses signal the presence of sin (whether it is known or not) and repent!
Father, help me to rightly discern the circumstances in my life according to Your Word, and not according to my pride.
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