Definition and Context
Defying, in a biblical context, refers to the act of resisting, challenging, or opposing authority, commands, or established norms, particularly those set by God or His appointed leaders. This concept is often associated with rebellion, disobedience, and a hardened heart against divine instruction.

Biblical Instances of Defying

1. Defiance Against God
Defying God is a recurring theme in the Bible, often leading to severe consequences. One of the most notable examples is the defiance of Pharaoh in the Book of Exodus. Despite witnessing numerous signs and wonders, Pharaoh repeatedly hardened his heart against God's command to let the Israelites go. Exodus 7:13 states, "Still, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said."

2. Defiance Against God's Prophets
The prophets of the Old Testament often faced defiance from the people of Israel and Judah. Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," encountered significant opposition. In Jeremiah 18:12 , the people respond to his warnings with defiance: "But they will reply, ‘It is hopeless. We will continue with our own plans; each of us will follow the stubbornness of his evil heart.’"

3. Defiance in the New Testament
In the New Testament, defiance is seen in the rejection of Jesus Christ by the religious leaders of His time. Despite His teachings and miracles, many Pharisees and Sadducees opposed Him. In John 12:37 , it is written, "Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him."

4. Defiance Against Civil Authorities
The Bible also addresses defiance against civil authorities, which are seen as instituted by God. Romans 13:2 warns, "Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves."

Theological Implications

Defying God or His commands is often portrayed as a grave sin, leading to spiritual and sometimes physical consequences. The Bible emphasizes the importance of obedience and submission to God's will as a demonstration of faith and trust in His sovereignty. Defiance is frequently linked to pride, a trait that is consistently condemned throughout Scripture.

Lessons from Defiance

1. Consequences of Defiance
The biblical narrative illustrates that defiance against God leads to judgment and discipline. The account of King Saul, who defied God's command through the prophet Samuel, resulted in the loss of his kingdom (1 Samuel 15:23).

2. Call to Repentance
Despite the severity of defiance, the Bible also offers hope through repentance. God’s mercy is extended to those who turn from their rebellious ways and seek forgiveness. In 2 Chronicles 7:14 , God promises, "And My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land."

3. Encouragement to Obey
Scripture encourages believers to obey God and His commandments as an expression of love and devotion. Jesus said in John 14:15 , "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."

Conclusion
The concept of defying in the Bible serves as a cautionary tale against resisting divine authority. It underscores the importance of humility, obedience, and the willingness to submit to God's will, highlighting the blessings that come from a life aligned with His purposes.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Defy.

How David Prevailed.
... in the ascendant. To see a Philistine strutting about, defying the armies
of the living God, was more than he could bear. Is not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xxxiv how david prevailed.htm

Christ's Plea for Ignorant Sinners
... We did not think that we were presumptuously defying God, setting at naught his
wisdom, defying his power, deriding his love, spurning his holiness; yet we ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/christs plea for ignorant sinners.htm

The Acquirement of Spiritual Power
... and having found it cling to it; get it under your feet and stand erect upon it,
until at last, immovably fixed upon it, you succeed in defying the fury of the ...
/.../allen/the way of peace/the acquirement of spiritual power.htm

Engravings.
... Page ARTABANUS AND THE GHOST Frontispiece. MAP OF THE PERSIAN EMPIRE xii. PHERON
DEFYING THE NILE 48. MAP OF GREECE 101. XERXES CROSSING THE HELLESPONT 121. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/engravings.htm

Index.
... over the eastern patriarchates, 84-86; position taken up by him against the Pope,
84-91; dies after five years of excommunication in 489, defying the Pope, 83 ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/index 2.htm

Perseverance in Holiness
... Mixed up with these myriads of God-forgetting, or even God-defying people, there
are a number of covenanted ones, who think of God, know God, trust God, and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/perseverance in holiness.htm

Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
... He cannot prevent me defying and denying Him, and would not exercise His power in
such directions if He could, and could not if He would" ("A Spiritual Clinique ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter eight sovereignty and human.htm

Christmas Day.
... Now, if this truth were a mystery, in the common notion of that term; if it were
a thing full of darkness, defying our minds to understand it, or to draw any ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/arnold/the christian life/lecture xxii christmas day.htm

Ein Neues Lied Wir Heben An. By Help of God I Fain Would Tell.
... 4. They spake them fair, they spake them foul, Their sharp devices trying. Like
rocks stood firm each brave young soul The Sophists' art defying. ...
/.../bacon/the hymns of martin luther/v ein neues lied wir.htm

Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott. Come, Holy Spirit, Lord Our God.
... Lord, may thy power prepare each heart; To our weak nature strength impart, Onward
to press, our foes defying, To thee, through living and through dying. ...
/.../bacon/the hymns of martin luther/xii komm heiliger geist herre.htm

Defying (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Defy. Multi-Version Concordance
Defying (2 Occurrences). Acts 17:7 whom Jason has received. ...
/d/defying.htm - 7k

Defy (10 Occurrences)

/d/defy.htm - 10k

Defiance (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of defying, putting in opposition, or
provoking to combat; a challenge; a provocation; a summons to combat. ...
/d/defiance.htm - 9k

Degenerate (1 Occurrence)

/d/degenerate.htm - 7k

Blasphemy (15 Occurrences)
... and vb.: (a) (barakh) "Naboth did blaspheme God and the king" (1 Kings 21:10, 13
the King James Version); (b) (gadhaph) of Senna-cherib defying Yahweh (2 Kings ...
/b/blasphemy.htm - 20k

Plagues (28 Occurrences)
... Why had he not done so ere this? Why, indeed, did he let this man Moses come and
go with such freedom, defying him and his people in the very palace? ...
/p/plagues.htm - 44k

Moses (9295 Occurrences)
... 4. Refuge in Midian: Moses fled, "not fearing the wrath of the king" (Hebrews
11:27), not cringing before it or submitting to it, but defying it and braving ...
/m/moses.htm - 53k

Providence (3 Occurrences)
... pains and irritated by the ill-spoken words of well-meaning friends, planting himself
on the solid rock of his own conscious rectitude, and defying earth and ...
/p/providence.htm - 44k

Egypt (596 Occurrences)
... Why had he not done so ere this? Why, indeed, did he let this man Moses come and
go with such freedom, defying him and his people in the very palace? ...
/e/egypt.htm - 101k

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