Degrading
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Definition and Context
Degrading refers to the act of lowering in character, quality, or value. In a biblical context, it often pertains to actions, behaviors, or attitudes that diminish the inherent dignity and worth bestowed upon individuals by God. The concept of degrading is frequently associated with sin, immorality, and actions that are contrary to the teachings and commandments of Scripture.

Biblical References
The Bible addresses the concept of degrading behavior in various passages, emphasizing the importance of maintaining purity, holiness, and respect for oneself and others. Degrading actions are often linked to sin and are seen as contrary to the life God desires for His people.

1. Romans 1:24-25 : "Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen." This passage highlights how turning away from God leads to degrading behaviors, specifically the dishonoring of one's body, which is a temple of the Holy Spirit.

2. Ephesians 4:19 : "Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more." Here, the Apostle Paul describes how a lack of moral sensitivity results in degrading actions, emphasizing the dangers of indulging in impurity and sensuality.

3. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 : "Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body." This passage underscores the importance of honoring one's body and avoiding degrading sexual immorality, as believers are called to glorify God in all aspects of their lives.

Moral and Ethical Implications
Degrading actions are seen as a violation of the moral and ethical standards set forth in Scripture. Believers are called to live lives that reflect the holiness and righteousness of God, avoiding behaviors that degrade themselves or others. The Bible teaches that all humans are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and therefore, any action that devalues or dishonors this image is considered degrading.

Consequences of Degrading Behavior
The Bible warns of the spiritual and relational consequences of engaging in degrading behavior. Such actions can lead to a separation from God, a loss of personal integrity, and harm to relationships with others. The call to repentance and transformation is a recurring theme, as seen in passages like 1 John 1:9 : "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Restoration and Redemption
Despite the seriousness of degrading behavior, the Bible offers hope for restoration and redemption through Jesus Christ. Believers are encouraged to seek forgiveness and to pursue a life of holiness and purity. The transformative power of the Holy Spirit enables individuals to overcome degrading tendencies and to live in a manner that honors God and reflects His love and grace to the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Degrade.
Greek
819. atimia -- dishonor
... See 820 (). Word Origin from atimos Definition dishonor NASB Word Usage
common use (1), degrading (1), dishonor (4), shame (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/819.htm - 7k
Library

April the Fifteenth Degrading Holy Things
... APRIL The Fifteenth DEGRADING HOLY THINGS. 1 SAMUEL vi.1-15. I must remember
that a holy thing can be the minister of a plague. Things ...
/.../april the fifteenth degrading holy.htm

He that Overcometh.
... strive to keep near to God in the spirit, and you will have no dealings with the
devil and his works, and you will resist all the degrading solicitations of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/percival/sermons at rugby/xx he that overcometh.htm

Prayer.
... and more unfashionable; and is likely, to judge from the signs of the times, to
become more unfashionable still: after which reign of degrading ungodliness, I ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon iv prayer.htm

False Teachings of the Apostasy.
... the generality of proud-hearted sectarians. They look upon these ordinances
as being degrading to morality. They call it an "act ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter iii false teachings of.htm

Political Religion
... about.'. II. Another lesson taught here is the sin of degrading religion
to be a mere instrument for securing personal ends. Jeroboam ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/political religion.htm

Aims of the Papacy.
... He who kneels before fallen man, and opens in confession the secret thoughts and
imaginations of his heart, is debasing his manhood, and degrading every noble ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /35 aims of the papacy.htm

Liberty of Conscience Threatened
... He who kneels before fallen man, and opens in confession the secret thoughts and
imaginations of his heart, is debasing his manhood and degrading every noble ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 35 liberty of conscience.htm

Conclusion
... of eloquence, he can continue too long in the exercise of so noble an employment;
but because it is fitting that he should guard against degrading his character ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/the training of a public speaker/conclusion.htm

Pride of Prosperity
... These women were numbered by hundreds. Their religion was idol worship, and
they had been taught to practice cruel and degrading rites. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 3 pride of prosperity.htm

Let us Now Examine the Conditions under which a Revelation May be ...
... This may tend to throw some light upon what are called anthropomorphic ideas of
God. These have sometimes been spoken of as inadequate, and degrading. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/jerram/thoughts on a revelation/section 2 let us now.htm

Thesaurus
Degrading (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Degrade. Multi-Version
Concordance Degrading (3 Occurrences). Romans 1:24 Therefore ...
/d/degrading.htm - 7k

Degree (19 Occurrences)

/d/degree.htm - 16k

Gods (310 Occurrences)
... Their service was perhaps the most immoral and degrading of all. ... The results
of this degrading worship are shown in the verse following. ...
/g/gods.htm - 60k

Vice (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A moral fault or failing; especially, immoral conduct or habit, as in the
indulgence of degrading appetites; customary deviation in a single respect ...
/v/vice.htm - 8k

Noble (61 Occurrences)
... 1. (superl.) Possessing eminence, elevation, dignity, etc.; above whatever is low,
mean, degrading, or dishonorable; magnanimous; as, a noble nature or action ...
/n/noble.htm - 27k

Indignant (22 Occurrences)
... wrathful; passionate; irate; feeling wrath, as when a person is exasperated by unworthy
or unjust treatment, by a mean action, or by a degrading accusation. ...
/i/indignant.htm - 12k

Degraded (3 Occurrences)

/d/degraded.htm - 7k

Deborah (10 Occurrences)
... (2.) A prophetess, "wife" (woman?) of Lapidoth. Jabin, the king of Hazor,
had for twenty years held Israel in degrading subjection. ...
/d/deborah.htm - 14k

Philistines (224 Occurrences)
... They sometimes held the tribes, especially the southern tribes, in degrading servitude
(Judges 15:11; 1 Samuel 13:19-22); at other times they were defeated ...
/p/philistines.htm - 75k

Cringe (5 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To draw one's self together as in fear or servility; to bend or crouch with
base humility; to wince; hence; to make court in a degrading manner; to fawn ...
/c/cringe.htm - 8k

Resources
What does it mean that we live in a fallen world? | GotQuestions.org

What should be the Christian perspective on nudity in art? | GotQuestions.org

What is sadism? What is a sadist? | GotQuestions.org

Degrading: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Degrading (3 Occurrences)

Romans 1:24
Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves,
(See NIV)

Romans 1:26
For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature.
(See NAS)

1 Corinthians 11:14
Doesn't even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him?
(See RSV)

Subtopics

Degrading

Related Terms

Nile (37 Occurrences)

Comparative

Superlative (2 Occurrences)

So (23977 Occurrences)

Rank (42 Occurrences)

Equal (70 Occurrences)

Enough (655 Occurrences)

Estate (40 Occurrences)

Least (76 Occurrences)

Full (1047 Occurrences)

More (6686 Occurrences)

Mighty (514 Occurrences)

Man (26072 Occurrences)

Beyond (209 Occurrences)

Greatness (63 Occurrences)

Abomination (78 Occurrences)

Great (10383 Occurrences)

Height (109 Occurrences)

Very (3073 Occurrences)

Near (3455 Occurrences)

Under (4325 Occurrences)

Unni (3 Occurrences)

Utmost (21 Occurrences)

Uttermost (48 Occurrences)

Order (809 Occurrences)

Jehiel (17 Occurrences)

Level (31 Occurrences)

Lighter (10 Occurrences)

Little (2458 Occurrences)

Last (1087 Occurrences)

Worst (8 Occurrences)

Warm (25 Occurrences)

Worse (62 Occurrences)

Widely (11 Occurrences)

Forefather (33 Occurrences)

Till (774 Occurrences)

Rate (23 Occurrences)

Extreme (11 Occurrences)

Endure (90 Occurrences)

Eliphelehu (2 Occurrences)

Excellently (1 Occurrence)

Extent (15 Occurrences)

Elevate (1 Occurrence)

Extremity (46 Occurrences)

Delusion (12 Occurrences)

Doctor (5 Occurrences)

Deal (170 Occurrences)

Most (1660 Occurrences)

Measure (269 Occurrences)

Medium (4 Occurrences)

Prick (2 Occurrences)

Perfection (30 Occurrences)

Pitch (25 Occurrences)

Best (252 Occurrences)

Better (218 Occurrences)

Bathing (9 Occurrences)

Balances (15 Occurrences)

Cold (25 Occurrences)

Consummate (1 Occurrence)

As (39600 Occurrences)

Second (2060 Occurrences)

Small (1110 Occurrences)

Shade (67 Occurrences)

Superior (18 Occurrences)

Sufficiently (3 Occurrences)

Something (417 Occurrences)

Somewhat (30 Occurrences)

Surpassing (21 Occurrences)

Strong (736 Occurrences)

Stage (5 Occurrences)

Servant (738 Occurrences)

Vanity (100 Occurrences)

Guilt (180 Occurrences)

Weighed (44 Occurrences)

Archaeology

Exalted (126 Occurrences)

Minor (2 Occurrences)

Balance (12 Occurrences)

Degraded
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