The term "morose" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept of a morose or sullen disposition can be explored through various scriptural references that address attitudes of the heart, emotional states, and their spiritual implications. A morose attitude is characterized by gloominess, sullenness, or a tendency to be despondent, often reflecting a deeper spiritual or emotional struggle.

Biblical Context

While the Bible does not use the word "morose," it frequently addresses the condition of the heart and the importance of maintaining a joyful and hopeful spirit. Proverbs 17:22 states, "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." This verse highlights the contrast between a joyful disposition and a broken spirit, suggesting that a morose attitude can have detrimental effects on one's well-being.

Spiritual Implications

A morose spirit can be indicative of a lack of trust in God's providence and goodness. The Bible encourages believers to place their hope and trust in the Lord, even amidst trials and tribulations. In Philippians 4:4 , the Apostle Paul exhorts, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" This command to rejoice is not contingent upon circumstances but is rooted in the believer's relationship with Christ.

Examples and Warnings

The account of Cain in Genesis 4 provides an example of a morose attitude leading to sin. After God did not look with favor on Cain's offering, Cain became very angry, and his face was downcast. The Lord warned Cain in Genesis 4:6-7 , "Why are you angry," said the LORD to Cain, "and why has your countenance fallen? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it." Cain's morose disposition, unchecked, led to the first murder, illustrating the destructive potential of harboring such emotions.

Encouragement for Believers

Believers are encouraged to combat moroseness by focusing on the promises of God and cultivating a spirit of gratitude. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 , Paul writes, "Rejoice at all times. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." This passage underscores the importance of maintaining a joyful and thankful heart as a reflection of one's faith and trust in God.

Practical Application

To overcome a morose spirit, believers are encouraged to engage in regular prayer, immerse themselves in Scripture, and participate in fellowship with other believers. Hebrews 10:24-25 advises, "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Community and encouragement from fellow believers can be vital in lifting a morose spirit and redirecting one's focus toward the hope found in Christ.

In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly mention the term "morose," it provides ample guidance on maintaining a joyful and hopeful spirit, trusting in God's goodness, and the importance of community and gratitude in overcoming negative emotional states.1. (a.) Sullen; gloomy; brooding; ill-humored; severe.

2. (a.) Lascivious; brooding over evil thoughts.

Whether the Sin of Morose Delectation is in the Reason?
... OF THE SUBJECT OF SIN (TEN ARTICLES) Whether the sin of morose delectation is
in the reason? ... Therefore morose delectation is not in the reason. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the sin of morose.htm

Whether a Circumstance Can Make a Venial Sin to be Mortal?
... ii, D, 24) that delectation, if morose [*See[1931] Q[74], A[6]], is a mortal
sin, but that if it be not morose, it is a venial sin. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a circumstance can make.htm

Whether Delight is in Time?
... Therefore delight is in time. Objection 2: Further, a thing is said to last long
and to be morose in respect of time. But some pleasures are called morose. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether delight is in time.htm

Of the Subject of Sin (Ten Articles)
... (5) Whether the reason can be the subject of sin? (6) Whether morose delectation
or non-morose delectation be subjected in the higher reason? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/of the subject of sin.htm

Progress of Calvinism
... Calvin was a man of morose and gloomy temperament, severe even to harshness
with his followers, and utterly devoid of human sympathy. ...
/.../chapter iii progress of calvinism.htm

On the Wisdom of this World
... the want of assigning some happiness proportioned to the soul of man that caused
many of them, either on the one hand, to be sour and morose, supercilious and ...
/.../swift/three sermons three prayers/on the wisdom of this.htm

Of Fascination.
... face? a face without feeling? a face, so to say, morose? Any evil cogitation
whatsoever will be broken by the very severity. She ...
/.../tertullian/on the veiling of virgins/chapter xv of fascination.htm

Adoption
... When a man adopts another for his son and heir, he may put his name upon him, but
he cannot put his disposition into him; if he be of a morose rugged nature ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/4 adoption.htm

Gentleness.
... Those who are of a gentle disposition act and speak without asperity. They are not
morose, sour, crabbed, and uneven, but are smooth, mild, and even. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/gentleness.htm

Another Triplet of Graces
... If we have a sunny disposition, and are naturally light-hearted, all the better;
if we have a melancholy or morose one, all the worse. ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/another triplet of graces.htm

Morose (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Morose (2 Occurrences). Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not
fret and harass your children, or you may make them sullen and morose. (WEY). ...
/m/morose.htm - 7k

Sullen (4 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Mischievous; malignant; unpropitious. 4. (a.) Gloomily angry and silent;
cross; sour; affected with ill humor; morose. 5. (a.) Obstinate; intractable. ...
/s/sullen.htm - 8k

Ill-tempered (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Of bad temper; morose; crabbed; sour; peevish;
fretful; quarrelsome. 2. (a.) Unhealthy; ill-conditioned. ...
/i/ill-tempered.htm - 6k

Fret (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Fret (9 Occurrences). Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not
fret and harass your children, or you may make them sullen and morose. (WEY). ...
/f/fret.htm - 13k

Morning-watch (2 Occurrences)
Morning-watch. Morning-star, Morning-watch. Morose . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WBS YLT). Morning-star, Morning-watch. Morose . Reference Bible.
/m/morning-watch.htm - 7k

Bear (425 Occurrences)
... Bear, or Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. 30. (n.) Metaphorically: A brutal, coarse,
or morose person. 31. (n.) A person who sells stocks ...
/b/bear.htm - 44k

Sour (15 Occurrences)
... 3. (superl.) Disagreeable; unpleasant; hence; cross; crabbed; peevish; morose; as,
a man of a sour temper; a sour reply. 4. (superl.) Afflictive; painful. ...
/s/sour.htm - 12k

Surly (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Gloomily morose; ill-natured, abrupt, and rude; severe; sour; crabbed; rough;
sullen; gloomy; as, a surly groom; a surly dog; surly language; a surly ...
/s/surly.htm - 7k

Sulky (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Moodily silent; sullen; sour; obstinate; morose;
splenetic. 2. (n.) A light two-wheeled carriage for a single person. ...
/s/sulky.htm - 7k

Habit (9 Occurrences)
... a person or thing, either natural or acquired, regarded as something had, possessed,
and firmly retained; as, a religious habit; his habit is morose; elms have ...
/h/habit.htm - 10k

Why is Jesus referred to as a man of sorrows in Isaiah 53:3? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about angst? | GotQuestions.org

Morose: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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