The wicked person writhes in pain all his days,
And the years reserved for the ruthless are numbered.
Sounds of terror are in his ears;
While he is at peace the destroyer comes upon him.
He does not believe that he will return from darkness,
And he is destined for the sword.
He wanders about for food, saying, ‘Where is it?’
He knows that a day of darkness is at hand.
Distress and anguish terrify him,
They overpower him like a king ready for the attack,
Because he has reached out with his hand against God,
And is arrogant toward the Almighty. (vv. 20-25)

For I was envious of the arrogant
As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
For there are no pains in their death,
And their belly is fat.
They are not in trouble like other people,
Nor are they tormented together with the rest of mankind.
Therefore arrogance is their necklace;
The garment of violence covers them.
Their eye bulges from fatness;
The imaginations of their heart overflow.
They mock and wickedly speak of oppression;
They speak from on high.
They have set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue parades through the earth. (Psalm 73:3-9)

The words of Job’s three friends sound right. But the wicked do prosper in this life. They chase after money and fame. It appears that disasters don’t come to their life. So they stay arrogant. And pride is the worst thing that can happen to anyone. The proud do not know God. They don’t want Jesus Christ.

Many of us go to church to feel a sense of assurance and security. However, many churches do not care about proclaiming the gospel. They talk much about the gospel, but ministers and theologians do not speak the truth. They teach people that we have eternal life through Jesus’ perfect keeping of the law. They boast that they have read many books. They repeat the same lies that their ancestors spoke without shame. What they are doing is what Israel’s leaders did in the Old and New Testaments.

This is what the LORD of armies says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you. They are leading you into futility; They tell a vision of their own imagination, Not from the mouth of the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:16)

Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. (Matthew 7:15)

Going to church and learning about God should free us from sin and guilt. Every day we are challenged but we overcome temptations through the words of God. However, church leaders only care about their reputations and money. However, church leaders only care about their reputations and money. They try to maintain control over their communities. But they do not care about the people in the church community. Indeed, they are ravenous wolves.

We should not judge people by their appearances. But we do. Trusting our own judgements make us go astray. We must remember that Jesus Christ did not have the appearance that people admire.

For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of dry ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we would look at Him, Nor an appearance that we would take pleasure in Him. (Isaiah 53:2)

Strangely, many ministers and theologians care so much about their appearances. Christians pour money into building a grande and fancy church building.

When the messengers of John had left, He began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the [o]wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who are splendidly clothed and live in luxury are found in royal palaces! But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. (Luke 7:24-26)

Are they prophets as they claim? I doubt it. In fact, we know this by what they say and do. They preach and believe in salvation by works. They say everyone should belong to a church because it is a living organism. But why should I be a part of a body that is perishing? God sent me to different churches to show me what they are doing. I spoke the truth but they did not want to hear it. So I shook the dust off my feet and left.

And whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that city. And as for all who do not receive you, when you leave that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them. (Luke 9:4-5)