The Three Progressive Stages of Evildoers (Ps. 1:1)

Psalm 1 (ESV)

Blessed is the man

who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in the way of sinners,

nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

“Wicked…, Sinner... and Scoffer…” – The Three Progressive Stages of Evil (Psalm 1:1)

Stage 1 of Evil – Not Being God-Minded (i.e., The Wicked/Ungodly Stage)

When men live in sin, they go from bad to worse. At first, they merely walk in the counsel of the wicked (i.e., careless and ungodly people) who forget God or are not God-minded in their daily choices. Evil at this stage is more practical than habitual. However, the transformative power of remembering God is the key to avoiding this progression. Those who forget Him become morally backward, thinking evil is good and good is evil.[1]  

Stage 2 of Evil – Willful Violation of God’s Command (i.e., The Sinner Stage)

At this stage, the wicked’s evil actions shift from being occasional to habitual, and they become accustomed to wrongdoing. As a result, they can stand in the way of sinners who willfully and openly defy God’s commandments. So, a “sinner” is someone who not only neglects God in their daily choices but also purposefully misses the mark. According to the Bible, the mark is to love God and one’s neighbour as oneself (Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Matthew 22:35-40). Thus, it is important to grasp that a sinner knowingly and intentionally fails to show love for God and others in their day-to-day life.[2]

Stage 2 of Evil – The Highest Degree in Vice (i.e., The Mocker/Scoffer Stage)

At this stage, and if left unchecked, sinners progress to become pestilent teachers and tempters, taking the seat of the scornful. They have earned their degree in vice, becoming true Doctors of Damnation, and are revered as Masters in Belial, a title that should invoke fear. The mocker, having lost the ability to appreciate goodness or beauty, is now so jaded that they can only show contempt for anything that is God or God-like. [3]

Application

Discern the Ungodly Council

The righteous should avoid following the advice of the ungodly. They must be able to recognize such advice. Also, the righteous person should be discerning enough to realize that ungodly advice can come from within one's own conscience, thoughts, or emotions. [4]

Take the Least Traveled Path

Choosing not to stand in the path of sinners signifies that the righteous are unafraid to take the less-traveled road, knowing that it leads to blessings, happiness, and eternal life. Simply put, they are also willing to ‘enter by for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it’ (Matthew 7:13).[5]

Proud Follower of Jesus

Choosing “not to sit in the seat of the scornful” means that the righteous will always be proud of their walk with Jesus Christ. “Be wholeheartedly for him; show your true colors, never hide them, but firmly stand by your beliefs, and say to all who mock the saints, ‘If you have any harsh words for the followers of Christ, direct them at me...but know this – you will hear it whether you like it or not – ‘I love Christ’” (Spurgeon).

[1] Charles Spurgeon. The Treasury of David: The Complete Seven Volumes (p. 8). Kindle Edition. Bible Project on Psalm 1

[2] ibid

[3] ibid

[4] Enduring Word Bible Commentary Psalm 1

[5]ibid