In the biblical context, "decays" often refers to the process of deterioration or decline, both in a physical and spiritual sense. The concept of decay is frequently used metaphorically in Scripture to illustrate the consequences of sin, the transient nature of earthly life, and the ultimate hope of renewal through God.

Physical Decay

The Bible acknowledges the reality of physical decay as part of the human condition. In Genesis 3:19, following the fall of man, God declares, "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground, because out of it were you taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return." This passage highlights the inevitability of physical decay and death as a result of sin entering the world.

The Apostle Paul also speaks to the theme of physical decay in 2 Corinthians 4:16, where he writes, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day." Here, Paul contrasts the physical decay of the body with the spiritual renewal available through faith in Christ.

Spiritual Decay

Spiritual decay is a significant theme in the Bible, often associated with moral decline and the consequences of turning away from God. In Psalm 51:10, David pleads, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." This verse underscores the need for divine intervention to counteract spiritual decay and restore righteousness.

The prophets frequently warned Israel of spiritual decay due to idolatry and disobedience. In Hosea 4:6, God laments, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you as My priests." This passage illustrates how spiritual decay can lead to destruction when God's people forsake His commandments.

Decay of Creation

The Bible also speaks of the decay of creation itself, a result of the fall. Romans 8:20-21 states, "For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God." This passage reveals that all of creation is in a state of decay, awaiting redemption and restoration through Christ.

Hope and Renewal

Despite the pervasive theme of decay, the Bible offers hope for renewal and restoration. Revelation 21:4 promises, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away." This vision of the new heaven and new earth assures believers that decay and death will ultimately be overcome.

In summary, while decay is a reality in the fallen world, the Bible consistently points to the hope of renewal and eternal life through Jesus Christ. Believers are encouraged to focus on spiritual growth and the promise of resurrection, trusting in God's power to transform decay into new life.535. amal -- to be weak, languish
... root Definition to be weak, languish NASB Word Usage decays (1), fade away (1),
fades (1), fails (2), languish (1), languished (1), languishes (2), languishing ...
/hebrew/535.htm - 6k

Beginning at Jerusalem. --Luke xxiv. 47.
... 1. With respect to the descent of her people: or,. 2. With respect to her preference
and exaltation: or,. 3. With respect to her present state, as to her decays ...
/.../bunyan/jerusalem sinner saved/beginning at jerusalem luke xxiv 47.htm

Resurgam
... It is put into the ground, there it dies all the farinaceous part of it decays and
forms a peculiarly fine soil, into which the life-germ strikes itself, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/resurgam.htm

The Case of Spiritual Decay and Languor in Religion
... Immediately to be pursued. A prayer for one under spiritual decays. ... A Prayer for
one under Spiritual Decays. "Eternal and unchangeable Jehovah! ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter xxii the case of.htm

The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
... respect to the descent of her people; or, Second, With respect to her preference
and exaltation; or, Third, With respect to her present state, as to her decays ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the jerusalem sinner saved.htm

Matt. x. 23
... "But the body decays." Why, on this account most especially we ought to rejoice,
because death decays, and mortality perishes, not the substance of the body. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxxiv matt x 23.htm

Prayer Essential to God
... on earth always triumphs. When the Church fails to pray, God's cause decays
and evil of every kind prevails. In other words, God ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/i prayer essential to god.htm

Demonstration viii. --Of the Resurrection of the Dead.
... body is corrupted and wastes away, thou oughtest to be instructed by the parable
of the seed; that as the seed, when it is cast into the earth, decays and is ...
/.../aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration viii of the resurrection of.htm

Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome.
... their hearts. But now, lo! the world itself has faded, and yet its charm
over our hearts decays not. Everywhere death, everywhere ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/gregory the great bishop of.htm

Life.
... We send a shot through a bird, and it falls dead"that is, lies still, and after
a while decays again into the dust of the earth, and the gases of the air. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xvii life.htm

Diess Sind Die Heil'Gen Zehn Gebot'. That Man a Godly Life Might ...
... Have mercy, Lord. 5. Give to thy parents honor due, Be dutiful and loving too; And
help them when their strength decays; So shalt thou have length of days. ...
/.../bacon/the hymns of martin luther/xiii diess sind die heilgen.htm

Decays (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Decays (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 24:7 The new wine is thin,
the vine is feeble, and all the glad-hearted make sounds of grief. (See NAS). ...
/d/decays.htm - 6k

Decease (2 Occurrences)

/d/decease.htm - 13k

Lignaloes
... The resin, which gives the fragrant quality to the wood, is formed almost entirely
in the heart wood; logs are buried, the outer part decays while the inner ...
/l/lignaloes.htm - 10k

Decaying (3 Occurrences)

/d/decaying.htm - 7k

Decay (18 Occurrences)
... adversity, or dissolution; to waste away; to decline; to fail; to become weak, corrupt,
or disintegrated; to rot; to perish; as, a tree decays; fortunes decay ...
/d/decay.htm - 13k

Aloes (5 Occurrences)
... The resin, which gives the fragrant quality to the wood, is formed almost entirely
in the heart wood; logs are buried, the outer part decays while the inner ...
/a/aloes.htm - 12k

Subapostolic
... As the flesh decays, however, a "worm is generated, which is nurtured from the dead
bird's moisture and putteth forth wings." The fable is mentioned by ...
/s/subapostolic.htm - 38k

Sub-apostolic
... As the flesh decays, however, a "worm is generated, which is nurtured from the dead
bird's moisture and putteth forth wings." The fable is mentioned by ...
/s/sub-apostolic.htm - 38k

Literature (2 Occurrences)
... As the flesh decays, however, a "worm is generated, which is nurtured from the dead
bird's moisture and putteth forth wings." The fable is mentioned by ...
/l/literature.htm - 82k

How does radiometric dating fit with the view of a young earth? | GotQuestions.org

I have been burned and hurt by the church in the past. How can I overcome this and renew a passion for church and a desire to attend church? | GotQuestions.org

Is carbon dating a reliable method for determining the age of things? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus