Malice. The word is rarely used, it seems these days. However, in 21st Century America, malice is nonetheless common. It is defined as, "a desire to harm others or to see others suffer." The Bible offers powerful insight into malice, one of the manifestations of the fundamentally flawed and evil nature of mankind.
Malice is quite common even in today's America's church. Name the church or denomination and it can be present. It is a spirit marked by traits noted in II Timothy 3:1-5. Among the traits noted are:
*False accusation. Accusations based in a standard of morality not based in the Bible so the "rebukes" are counterfeit. It magnifies negatives...valid criticism of immoral behavior becomes "hate". Good faith decisions made based on the best available information become a lie, if the information turns out to be wrong. It is often based in a completely biased perspective. An example is much of the reporting in the mainstream news media today that treats liberal and non-Judeo Christian religions positively or negative events with "kid gloves" with slanting the exact opposite direction for Judeo-Christian and politically conservative perspectives. Proverbs 11:1 notes, "The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delight." On a more personal or individual level, sneering accusations or comments made about even the most innocuous of things like leaving a dish in the sink or perhaps about the neighbor's lawn getting a "wee bit" long also manifest a spirit of malice.
Often, a malicious self-righteousness can be concealed. Proverbs 26:23 declares, "Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart." Proverbs 26:24-26 adds, "A malicious man disguises himself with his lips...His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly."
*Despisers of those that are good. This seems confusing! Why would anyone despise those that are good? The answer is in the wickedness of the human heart, according to Jeremiah 17:9, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" Personally, I have had my integrity questioned while taking a stand against homosexuality, even being lectured, condemned, or ridiculed by people claiming to be "born again" Christians. While working for a traditional marriage amendment, I received unexpected resistance from Christians, perhaps manifesting the true condition of their heart. The refrain sometimes heard was, "We don't want to close the door on talking to people about Jesus" or "We just need to love on people, not judge." This sounds quite spiritual, on first hearing, but if someone is truly repentant then the truth should be welcome, not offensive. Also, while seeking petitions for an amendment defending traditional marriage, one man asked me, "Is that what Jesus would do?" Apparently, he thought a little guilt would work; he may have felt I would be easily manipulated by appealing to the "nice Christian" stereotype. However, in Matthew 5:13 Jesus said believers are "...the salt of the earth..." We should take a stand and be bold for righteousness (Proverbs 28:1 and Matthew 5:10) and realize that love rejoices in the truth (I Corinthians 13:6) and not in what is "positive."
*Having a form of godliness but denying its power. In other words, a religious spirit. This is the same self-righteousness found among the Pharisees in Jesus' day. They made doctrine of the traditions of men while ignoring the commands of God (Mark 7:8). The same thing can happen in Christian denominations today, making the denomination, church or ministry's vision more important than the Bible and the person of Jesus Christ. And, making up "new" human commands that stray from the Word of God; a list of "dos" and "don'ts" that elaborate on one aspect of the truth but ignore another. Today, many churches, organizations or even governments are attempting to develop a false righteousness based on church attendance, "getting along" with others, social justice, preventing "climate change," multi-culturalism, or universal health care to name a few "virtues".
These traits and others also noted in II Timothy 3:1-5 are the breeding ground for a malicious attitude.
Malice manifests specifically in a few different forms:
*It can be what the psychologists call "passive-aggressive" behavior, or intentionally stonewalling or procrastinating to get even for past misdeeds.
*Christians can maintain, "I don't have a malicious bone in my body" but sin is present in all of us. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..." according to Romans 3:23.
*Malice often rises to the surface when one person's misfortune knocks at the door of a "friend" or family member who is at ease (Job 12:5). In such a situation, when relations were more "equal" there may have been something said or done that was mildly offensive (perhaps an unpopular political belief or religious doctrine was raised or even a favorite football team was knocked). Nothing was said but over time such a conversation may have festered. Now, the "offender" of the past has become the one in need. My experience tells me that malice can manifest in the form of weak excuses such as "we don't know each other that well" or "...can you try the church before you ask me for help", etc.
*Such rationalizations are often invented to avoid having to help. Also, in such times a "morally superior" person may feel the need to "teach a lesson", as it were.
Sometimes, such a person may feel the need to "pay back" on behalf of another. The "offender" may have made what was deemed to be an "unloving" comment, actually the sort of blunt truth that Jesus used when he called the Pharisees, "whitewashed tombs." Nonetheless, it may be deemed appropriate for the "offender" to be "punished" with a withheld favor or request because of an offended sibling, cousin, friend, child or spouse, etc.
*Or perhaps a job or character reference is sought. In reply such a malicious person may feign that he does not know the person "all that well". Perhaps the language would be something like, "...After reading the character reference questionnaire, I felt that they needed someone's responses that reflect a deeper understanding and knowledge of the "John Doe" that I do not know..." In actuality, all that might be required is a short conversation to gain that "knowledge". More than likely, the organization asking for the reference may not be asking for such in-depth knowledge at all. Such a person is using another "trumped-up" rationalization to avoid action.
A few other examples of malice manifested in daily life:
*At a person's "high point" in life like at a marriage, graduation, the purchase of a new car, or on a vacation the envy of another can reflect a malicious spirit. Comments like "wasn't that expensive", "do you think you should take the time off...", "...where were you" can all reflect a snotty, malicious tone or heart.
*At other times, dirty looks or glares can be given at similar good fortune. The good fortune of a righteous man or his righteous behavior can be despised as noted in II Timothy 3:1-5, "despisers of those that are good."
*Finally, malice can be manifested by assigning something wrong or immoral to what is righteous. A person who offers to pray for another may be viewed as a flake; an act of kindness is viewed with nasty suspicion, even if a clear record of prior kind deeds have been shown; or an offer to help may be given with sly intent. Actually, there may be a desire to confront, castigate, or browbeat the one seeking help and a "meeting" would truly be used for this purpose, and not to help.
These are all the hallmarks of a malicious spirit that again is similar to the spirit found among the religious leaders of Jesus' day who repaid Jesus by turning him over to the secular, Roman authorities of the time. Matthew 26:3 notes, "Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him."
