Proverbs 19:28

A worthless witness mocks at justice,
and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

This is yet another proverb recognizing the inner nature of the wicked. They do not act wickedly out of ignorance. They do not have a misguided sense of justice. Showing them the error of their ways does not bring repentance. Rather, they are pleased that the error of their ways is receiving recognition.

They like wickedness. As the proverb points out, they eat it up. To get away with a lie makes their day. A lie is not merely a tool to get out of trouble or to gain something they value. As a craftsman delights in the work itself, so the liar delights in his art of lying. The wicked sleep well at night. Like the righteous, who lie in bed satisfied with having done good, the wicked are satisfied by having done evil.

Therefore pray for the wicked who believe the one big lie – that they are getting away with their wickedness. For the day of retribution will come. Pray for the wicked, for their only hope is that the Holy Spirit will turn their hearts of stone into hearts of flesh. Pray for the wicked whose evil deeds illustrate what we still do in our thoughts and too often in our own deeds, however subtle they may be. We all sin because we want to sin. Pray for the wicked, for such were we without Christ. Our hearts too were hearts of stone, and we are counted righteous only by the work of Christ for us.