Are you dealing with a malicious person? “Malicious” means to be full of malice. “Malice” is the willingness and intent to inflict harm or suffering on someone.

Malicious people are willing to hurt you and they often do. They include people who are abusive, narcissistic, addicted, angry, self-centered, self-motivated, arrogant, greedy, immature, irresponsible, liars, mentally ill, emotionally broken, controlling, and evil. It is unfortunate, but true, that some of these people are family members and people close to us that we have trusted. We hurt ourselves when we refuse to recognize that some people do not have goodwill toward us. Sometimes, as in the case of mental illness, it is because of problems the person is struggling with, but the end result is that we still need to recognize it and take care of ourselves.

“Goodwill” means that someone has a kind regard and concern for you and the relationship. Someone with goodwill might inadvertently hurt you but they feel bad about it and will want to rectify it. They desire a good relationship and will concern themselves with issues that negatively impact it.

Malicious people don’t have goodwill. They are willing to harm you and the relationship in order to gain an advantage. They are primarily concerned with themselves and their self-interest. They refuse to consider their faults and are defensive and blaming when you point them out. They are willing to excuse, lie, cover-up, deceive, abuse, control, manipulate, use, and discount you to benefit themselves. And, they do all of this without feeling guilty.

When you are dealing with a malicious person, you need to protect yourself. Someone who is willing to harm you cannot be trusted with your well-being. You will be at their mercy, unless you recognize that they do not have your best interest in mind. Many of us stay in denial because we would not treat another person that way and we just cannot come to terms with the fact that some people are willing to treat people badly. We cannot imagine that someone who should care about us doesn’t and someone who shouldn’t be willing to hurt us is. Admit the truth about the malicious people in your life and begin to take steps to protect yourself.

By Karla Downing

Relationship Devotional Prayer

 
God,

Help me to recognize the malicious people in my life and to accept that they are willing to hurt me and our relationship. Help me see how I can and should protect myself.

Relationship Devotional Challenge

• Identify the people in your life that are willing to treat you maliciously and accept that they do not have goodwill toward you.
• Begin to take steps to protect yourself.

Scripture Meditation

 
Psalm 73:7-8

“From their callous hearts comes iniquity; their evil imaginations have no limits. They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression” (NIV).

Proverbs 26:26

“Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly” (NIV).