We have learned from the fourth deadly sin that “wicked imaginations” have to do with “thoughts of evil” that are germinated in minds which have become the workshop of the Devil. Jesus made it abundantly clear that out of such minds “… proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” Matthew 15:19. The apostle Paul calls these “wicked imaginations” the works of the flesh because they are the manifestations of the evil thoughts of the evil mind. Paul wrote, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings … .” Galatians 5:19–21, first part
Because we frequently allow our senses, especially our eyes and ears, to meditate upon that which is evil, our minds become impressed. As a consequence, the feet are swift in running to mischief. To run to mischief is to carry out with readiness or without delay what has already been devised in the heart. Such an act is considered by God to be sin and it is the fifth deadly sin which God hates.
As we ponder these seven deadly sins, we see a sequence of operation where one sin leads to the other sin and with each successive sin the evil increases! King Solomon wrote of this fifth deadly sin, “An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief.” Proverbs 6:18
Therefore, the wicked acts that people delight in doing are not disconnected, isolated actions but rather evils which have their origin in the mind which has been corrupted by “thoughts of evil.” Jesus taught, “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O, generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.” Matthew 12:33–35
Now, King Solomon used the Hebrew word “rah” which is the English word “mischief” and this word has the following meanings: bad, evil, adversity, affliction, calamity, distress, grief, harm, hurt, misery, sorrow, trouble. This fifth deadly sin is hated by God because the individuals who allow their minds to become the residence of “wicked imaginations” love to cause grief, evil, and harm. They take delight in causing adversity, distress, and trouble anywhere they have the chance of doing so. Whether it be in the home, or the church, or the workplace, they are always ready to hurt others by their ungodly actions.
These people are not concerned about others and the sorrow that they inflict on them; they are more concerned about themselves and what pleases them. Here are three instances recorded in the Bible of individuals whose feet were swift in running to mischief. The first instance pertains to Amnon.
Amnon, David’s first son, was exceedingly sinful and unrepentant (The Great Controversy, 537). In other words, he took pleasure in committing sin and was not sorry for his evil actions. He was accustomed to self-gratification and carrying out his every desire. Scripture records a sad and unfortunate incident which Amnon perpetrated with his beautiful half-sister Tamar who was a virgin. “And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do anything to her.” 2 Samuel 13:1, 2
Amnon cherished evil imaginations toward Tamar allowing them to dominate his mind for a long time. The Bible says he loved her, but this expression “loved her” actually meant that Amnon desired her, lusted for her. Amnon knew that it was wrong to desire his sister and fearing the consequences, he hesitated in carrying out his evil action. But he continued to burn with lustful desire, and the Bible records that, “Amnon thought it hard for him to do anything to her.” This did not mean that Amnon harbored concern for the disgrace his actions would bring to his sister, the hurt, grief, or sorrow which he would cause her to experience. He knew that his attempt would be difficult only because he could not see how he might get Tamar into his power and he feared the consequences.
However, Amnon’s friend, Jonadab, saw his sadness and questioned him. Understanding his friend’s burning desire, Jonadab suggested a plan. “And Jonadab said unto him, lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand. So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand.” Verses 5, 6. Unaware of the plot against Tamar, David did as Amnon asked and sent her to minister to him. We read in verses 11–14 that Amnon demanded that Tamar “lie” with him, and all of her pleading fell upon deaf ears. Overpowered as he was by this burning lust for her, Amnon easily physically overpowered Tamar and forcefully raped her.
Amnon, by raping his half-sister, was successful in carrying out his diabolical plan which brought untold hurt and sorrow to her heart as well as the entire family. He was indifferent to her spiritual welfare. This is what “feet that be swift in running to mischief” will do. After he had abused this daughter of Israel, Amnon, out of anger, ordered her to leave but she refused claiming, “this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her. Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.” Verses 16, 17
When Tamar, humbled and heartbroken, begged for milder treatment, Amnon added insult to the wrong he had already committed against her and ordered his manservant to push her out and lock the door after her. By such an order, the manservant and all Amnon’s people would be led to believe that Tamar was the guilty party and Amnon the victim of her enticement. This for Amnon was not a mistake like that of his father David who sinned against Uriah and Bathsheba. His was an outgrowth of a corrupt mind which was under the full control of evil angels!
The second instance has to do with Absalom. Absalom’s mind was corrupted by cherishing covetousness; he desired his father’s position and this evil thought was finally put into action. The Bible states, “And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.” 2 Samuel 15:2–6
The strategy employed by Absalom is revealed, “Fomented by the artful insinuations of the prince, discontent with the government was fast spreading. The praise of Absalom was on the lips of all. He was generally regarded as heir to the kingdom; the people looked upon him with pride as worthy of this high station, and a desire was kindled that he might occupy the throne. ‘So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.’ ” Patriarchs and Prophets, 730
Oh, what sorrow, calamity, hurt and distress Absalom brought upon his father because he allowed “thoughts of evil” to enter and remain in his mind. This action of Absalom demonstrates that this fifth deadly sin has no regard for anyone, whether it be wife, husband, mother, father, brother, sister, etc. No wonder the prophet Jeremiah declared of such a mind, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9
The third and final instance involves the presidents and princes of the Median kingdom under Darius. These nobles of the Medes and Persians were filled with jealousy against Daniel because of the promotion that King Darius had given him. Notably, Mrs. White wrote, “The honors bestowed upon Daniel excited the jealousy of the leading men of the kingdom, and they sought for occasion of complaint against him. … Thereupon, the presidents and princes, counseling together, devised a scheme whereby they hoped to accomplish the prophet’s destruction.” Prophets and Kings, 539, 540
Again, like Amnon and Absalom, these men entertained evil thoughts concerning Daniel; and, consequently, wicked actions were the result of feet that are swift in running to mischief. They deceived the king, conspired against Daniel and finally got him thrown in the den of lions. (See Daniel 6.)
Consider this: How many lives have been destroyed or nearly destroyed because of “feet that are swift in running to mischief?” How many innocent persons have been severely harmed and brought to grief because of “thoughts of evil” which were cherished and then acted out against them?
Living the holy life does not mean we will be free from trouble. Daniel understood this. “What a lesson is here presented for all Christians. The keen eyes of jealousy were fixed upon Daniel day after day; their watchings were sharpened by hatred; yet not a word or act of his life could they make appear wrong. And still he made no claim to sanctification, but he did that which was infinitely better—he lived a life of faithfulness and consecration.” The Sanctified Life, 42
How did these leaders arrive at the place to desire the destruction of Daniel?
“Daniel was preferred above the presidents and the princes because an excellent spirit was in him. Fallen angels feared that his influence would weaken their control over the rulers of the kingdom, for Daniel was high in command. The accusing host of evil angels stirred up the presidents and princes to envy and jealousy, and they watched Daniel closely to find some occasion against him that they might report him to the king; but they failed. Then these agents of Satan sought to make his faithfulness to God the cause of his destruction. Evil angels laid out the plan for them, and these agents readily carried it into effect. The king was ignorant of the subtle mischief purposed against Daniel.” Testimonies, 295, 296
Brothers and sisters, this hymn should be our prayer:
O, let me walk with Thee, my God,
As Enoch walked in days of old;
Place Thou my trembling hand in Thine,
And sweet communion with me hold;
E’en though the path I may not see,
Yet, Jesus, let me walk with Thee.
I cannot, dare not, walk alone;
The tempest rages in the sky,
A thousand snares beset my feet,
A thousand foes are lurking nigh.
Still Thou the raging of the sea,
O Master! let me walk with Thee.
If I may rest my hand in Thine,
I’ll count the joys of earth but loss,
And firmly, bravely journey on;
I’ll bear the banner of the cross
Till Zion’s glorious gates I see;
Yet, Saviour, let me walk with Thee.
All scripture is from the King James Bible.
Pastor Ivan Plummer ministers through the Emmanuel Seventh Day Church Ministries in Bronx, New York. He may be contacted by telephone at 718-882-3900.