Psalms 12:1-2 (KJV)
1 To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
In this Psalm we hear a cry for help from David as he sees godliness in decline.

When godliness declines the ungodliness is on the increase. I wonder what comes first?
Since the fall of Adam and Eve sin and evil prevailed in humanity. We are born in sin. “Romans 5:12 (KJV) Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”

Therefore ungodliness is the default and will rise automatically when people depart from godliness. When people turn from GOD wickedness will rise. Sin is wait at the door. “Genesis 4:7 (KJV) If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.”
Here are some proverbs that show us the tensions between the wicked and righteous:
“Proverbs 28:28 (KJV) When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.”
“Proverbs 29:2 (KJV) When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”
“Proverbs 29:16 (KJV) When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.”

When godliness declined the we can see people will speak whatever they want and evils people are exhaled.
“Psalms 12:4 (KJV) Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?”
“Psalms 12:8 (KJV) The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.”

We are living in a time where godliness is on the decline and wickedness on an increase. What is the answer? What can we do? People need to be reconciled with GOD and turn to Jesus Christ. This is the only way godliness can increase in the hearts of people and out of that will come godly living. There is a call to repentance of the people who say they belong to GOD.
“2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV) If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Not only are we to repent but then “Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Therefore let us all be encourage to turn from our wicked ways, believe in, trust in and call on the name of Jesus Christ. “1 John 3:23 (KJV) And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.”. From this point on as it says in Galatians 5:16-17 (KJV) “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. [17] For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”.
Let us cultivate the fruit of the Spirit. “Galatians 5:22-25 (KJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. [24] And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. [25] If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
Let us be a good witness of and for Jesus Christ. This is the only way, I believe, we can see godliness in us and others increase.