In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord. In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.” His ways prosper at all times; your judgments are on high, out of his sight; as for all his foes, he puffs at them. He says in his heart, “I shall not be moved; throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.” Psalms 10:2-6 [ESV]
It’s crazy how closely this defines our culture of today. The ‘Identity First’ movement is captured so succinctly here. I don’t want to go all political in this post…I really work to refrain from this approach or delving too far into the facets of our political climate of today. One of the statements in this passage that stands out to me is the “His ways prosper at all times”. Meaning that this person, in their pride, believes that everyone of their efforts is the right one. No other person, including God Himself, is going to knock this person off their opinion or take on life. Everything they do is justified and supported by their own internal truth. This person virtually worships his own desires.
I need to be careful not to say, “that’s not me”. As redeemed humans, we still have a sinful heart that can fall prey to this thinking but with religious virtue. I must look inwardly to make sure I have no spaces occupied in my heart with kind of thinking…my righteousness is not my own, but only the righteousness that has been gifted to me through the Son. As soon as I take attention away from Who Jesus is and toward who Ben is, I am at risk of falling into the same sin talked about the evil person above. Very thought provoking…there is only one way to address this -> pray that the evil desires and spaces in my heart are revealed by the Holy Spirit so that I have the opportunity to address them.