“An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,”
My Notes
What Does Proverbs 6:18 Mean?
This verse is part of the seven things the LORD hates (Proverbs 6:16-19). Two items from the list are paired here: a heart that devises wicked imaginations and feet that run swiftly to mischief. The pairing connects internal plotting with external action — the wicked thought that precedes the wicked deed.
The word "deviseth" (charash) means to plan, to fabricate, to craft intentionally. This isn't impulsive evil; it's engineered evil. The heart as workshop, constructing wicked plans with the same creativity and care that a craftsman uses for good work. The imagination is applied to destruction.
The feet that "run" to mischief add urgency. They don't walk — they run. The speed indicates eagerness, enthusiasm for the evil planned. The heart devised it; the feet can't wait to execute it. The combination of cold calculation (devising) and hot eagerness (running) makes this form of evil particularly dangerous.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Have you ever caught yourself planning something harmful with the same care you'd give something good?
- 2.Why does premeditated evil provoke God's hatred more than impulsive sin?
- 3.What is your creative energy currently devising — and where are your feet running?
- 4.How do you redirect your imagination when it starts designing something destructive?
Devotional
A heart that plans wickedness and feet that sprint to carry it out. The head and the body in perfect, terrible coordination. The mind crafts the plan; the legs race to execute it.
God hates this not because He's against creativity or energy, but because both are being pointed in the wrong direction. The same imagination that could design beauty is designing destruction. The same legs that could carry someone toward healing are sprinting toward harm. God made the heart to devise and the feet to run — and seeing His gifts weaponized against His purposes provokes His hatred.
The "devising" is the detail that makes this particularly evil. This isn't impulsive wrongdoing — it's premeditated. Someone sat down, thought carefully, planned methodically, and then leapt into action. They used their God-given creativity to architect harm. That's not a moment of weakness — it's a lifestyle of corruption.
The running feet reveal the motivation: they're eager. Not reluctant sinners dragged into evil by circumstance — enthusiastic ones sprinting toward it. They can't wait to do the thing their hearts designed.
What are you designing in your heart? And how fast are your feet moving to execute it? The same creative energy that God gave you for good can be redirected in a moment. Your imagination is a tool. What it devises is your choice.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
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Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture