People could be recognised by their fruits. (Matthew 7:16) Godly and righteous people could be recognised by the Fruit of repentance, the Fruit of the Spirit, and the Fruit of lips, gratitude, thanksgiving, and praises. (Matthew 3:8; Galatians 5:22-23; Hebrews 13:15) The Psalmist brings to focus four qualities of the wicked, by which they could be recognised. (Psalm 94:4-7) Some have all four qualities, and a few have only one of these.
1) Words:
The wicked people’s words are defiant, boastful, wicked, and evil. With an atheistic frame of mind, they are defiant towards God. With power at their disposal, they are boastful and behave as if they are gods. The criminal mind, even intent, and wicked heart are evidenced in their words. Out of the abundance of their hearts, the words emerge. (Matthew 12:34)
2) Violence:
They are especially violent against the people, the chosen heritage of God. Their feet run to do evil and shed blood. (Proverbs 1:16) Instead of thinking and trying to find the truth, they are emotionally excited to do evil. As the Lord Jesus Christ taught the disciples, these wicked people hate the people of God without cause.
3) Oppress:
They oppress, exploit, and kill the weak, vulnerable, powerless, marginalised, like widows and fatherless. Spurgeon writes: “Must not such inhuman conduct as this provoke the Lord? Shall the tears of widows, the groans of strangers, and the blood of orphans be poured forth in vain? As surely as there is a God in heaven, he will visit those who perpetrate such crimes; though he bears long with them, he will yet take vengeance, and that speedily.” In contrast, godliness and spirituality are expressed in caring for the widows and orphans. (James 1:27)
4) Blasphemy:
They boast that God can neither see nor understand. Those blinded by Satan can stupidly perceive God as blind. (II Corinthians 4:4) They are so foolish that they do not have common sense to understand that God, who created ears, would hear; and eyes would see. Thus, they live like ostriches, denying God and His judgment.
Does my life reveal the fruit of righteousness?