Topical Bible: Character of the Wicked: Alienated from God

Bible > Topical > Character of the Wicked

◄ Character of the Wicked: Alienated from God ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of the wicked being alienated from God is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, illustrating the spiritual and moral separation that exists between those who reject God's ways and the divine presence. This alienation is not merely a physical distance but a profound spiritual disconnection resulting from sin and rebellion against God's commandments.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible consistently portrays the wicked as those who have turned away from God, choosing their own path over His righteous ways. In Isaiah 59:2, the prophet declares, "But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear." This verse underscores the idea that sin creates a barrier, alienating individuals from the presence and favor of God.

Nature of Alienation

The alienation of the wicked is characterized by a hardened heart and a refusal to acknowledge God's sovereignty. In Ephesians 4:18, Paul describes the state of the wicked: "They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts." This passage highlights the spiritual blindness and ignorance that accompany a life estranged from God.

Consequences of Alienation

The consequences of being alienated from God are severe and far-reaching. Romans 1:21-22 illustrates the downward spiral of those who reject God: "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools." This passage reveals that alienation leads to futile thinking and moral decay, as individuals become ensnared in their own pride and folly.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The alienation from God results in a life devoid of true wisdom and understanding. Proverbs 15:29 states, "The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous." This contrast emphasizes that the wicked, in their alienation, are distanced from God's guidance and blessings, while the righteous enjoy a close relationship with Him.

Hope for Reconciliation

Despite the grim portrayal of the wicked's alienation, the Bible also offers hope for reconciliation. Through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, individuals can be restored to a right relationship with God. Colossians 1:21-22 provides this assurance: "Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds because of your evil deeds. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence."

In summary, the character of the wicked as alienated from God is a sobering reminder of the spiritual consequences of sin. The Bible calls individuals to turn from their wicked ways and seek reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ, who bridges the gap created by sin and restores the broken relationship between humanity and the divine.

Nave's Topical Index

Ephesians 4:18
Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
Nave's Topical Index

Colossians 1:21
And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now has he reconciled
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Consequences of Sin.
... And you, that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works,
now ... When a woman has lost her character, she may weep tears of bitter ...
/.../xlvii the consequences of sin.htm

Of the Character of the Unregenerate.
... power of the air, that impure and wicked spirit, who ... scripture declared to be
inconsistent with the character of a ... iv.7. A heart, thus alienated from God, was ...
/.../doddridge/practical discourses on regeneration/discourse i of the character.htm

The Future State a Self-Conscious State.
... of God's immaculateness and of his own character must be ... The spirit itself, thus
alienated from God's purity and conscious that it is, wicked, and knowing ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/the future state a self-conscious 2.htm

The Life of God
... God, and pretend that God is as wicked as you ... who has seen Jesus Christ, as His
character stands in ... or are we alienated from it, careless about it, disliking it ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon xv the life of.htm

The Sinner's Need of Christ
... part of God that excludes the wicked from heaven ... see the benevolence, the fatherly
tenderness, of His character. ... In the apostasy, man alienated himself from God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 2 the sinners need.htm

God's Ways and Man's
... purposes, desires, and then the alienated will and ... to repentance and change,' let
the wicked forsake his ... up on the highest heavens of God's character, we must ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/gods ways and mans.htm

The Epistle to the Colossians Time the Criterion of Truth and ...
... in that case be entitled to the character of apostolic ... Accordingly, ourselves "who
were sometime alienated and enemies in our mind by wicked works" [6075 ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xix the epistle to the.htm

"It is Finished"
... Every character will be fully developed; and all will show ... shalt thou be any more."
Then "the wicked shall not be ... He is "alienated from the life of God." Christ ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 79 it is finished.htm

The Approbation of Goodness is not the Love of It.
... is, as the prophet affirms, desperately wicked, desperately selfish ... self-respect
may appear in his character; but unless ... of his being is still alienated from God ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/the approbation of goodness is.htm

Sin in the Heart the Source of Error in the Head
... God distinguishes between the righteous and the wicked, that he ... of all human error
is in the character of the ... truth that man is so totally alienated from God ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/sin in the heart the.htm