Psalm 36:1-4 offers insight into the nature of sinful habits. These verses are speaking about the man who does not know God, but even we who know God can fall into similar patterns.
Notice the temptation in verse 1: "Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart."
Observe the deceitfulness of the temptation in verse 2, where it "flatters him", convincing him that his sin won't be discovered, and that it's acceptable to love sin, rather than hate it.
Look how his words begin to reflect the sinfulness of his heart in verse 3: "The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit."
In summary, verse 4 describes the pervasiveness of temptation - even coming to this man when he is in bed at night, from which he gives in, rather than despising evil as he should.
We need to keep in mind the similar pattern described in James 1:14-15. We tend to forget the consequences (or "hook"/"trap") of a sinful choice in our eagerness to get the pleasure ("bait").
Returning to Psalm 36, David contrasts the wickedness of the man in Psalm 36:1-4 with God's righteous character toward His people in Psalm 36:5-9.
How can we avoid being like the ungodly man of Psalm 36:1-4? The answer is in Psalm 36:10-12. We ask God for His help (Psalm 36:10-11), and we remember the consequences of sin (Psalm 36:12), and, by implication, we actively stop doing whatever the sinful activity is. This requires replacement of the wrong with something good. Our minds and our habits are wired to work on this principle of replacement (Ephesians 4:22-24).
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