One of the greatest enemies of the wicked is the debilitating burden of their own sin and guilt. Their sin makes them paranoid, so that they see sinister threats all around them. Think of how they view the Lord and his anointed Son as threatening enemies to be opposed, saying of them: Let us tear their fetters apart, and cast away their cords from us. (Psalm 2:1–3). Indeed, the wicked prefer self-annihilation to facing the Lord, and by extension, the responsibilities they have in his world (Revelation 6:15–17). Like Cain, they are perpetual fugitives (Genesis 4:12), fleeing from monsters of their own making. Yet the righteous, given courage by peace with God and protected by the armour and praise of the Almighty God, stand fearlessly against any foe (Ephesians 6:10–12).
1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.