Wicked Is As Wicked Does

(Proverbs 12:2 KJV)  A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

How do we recognize the difference between the “good” (2896a) and the “wicked” (evil NASB) (4209)?  I will concede that it is sometimes hard, hard enough that we are told not to judge.  At the same time we can recognize actions and whether they are good or evil.  We can tell whether they build up or destroy.  We can tell whether they conform to the clear teaching of scripture or violate it in principle and detail.

In short we can often tell the good from the bad by observing actions.  If someone is living in sexual sin, whether it be adultery, pedophilia or sodomy, we know that they are devising evil.  It really doesn’t matter how much they claim to love Jesus. 

So?  There are times to draw a line and defend it.  Standing up for God’s principles is not judging.  Condemning someone else for what you do in secret is.  We can know the difference.