Topical Bible: Character of the Wicked: Disobedient

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The concept of disobedience is a recurring theme in the Bible, often associated with the character of the wicked. Disobedience, in a biblical context, refers to the refusal to adhere to God's commandments and instructions. This trait is frequently highlighted as a hallmark of those who turn away from God's will and pursue their own paths.

Biblical Examples of Disobedience

1. Adam and Eve: The first act of disobedience recorded in the Bible is that of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Despite God's clear command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they chose to disobey, leading to the fall of humanity. Genesis 3:6 states, "When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it."

2. The Israelites: Throughout their history, the Israelites frequently exhibited disobedience to God's commands. In the wilderness, they repeatedly tested God and failed to trust in His provision. Psalm 78:10 reflects on their disobedience: "They did not keep God’s covenant and refused to live by His law."

3. King Saul: Saul, the first king of Israel, is another prominent example of disobedience. His failure to fully carry out God's command to destroy the Amalekites led to his rejection as king. 1 Samuel 15:22-23 records the prophet Samuel's rebuke: "But Samuel declared: 'Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.'"

Characteristics of Disobedience

· Rebellion: Disobedience is often equated with rebellion against God. It is a conscious decision to go against His authority and commands. Proverbs 17:11 states, "An evil man seeks only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him."

· Stubbornness: The wicked are frequently described as stubborn, refusing to heed correction or guidance. Zechariah 7:11-12 illustrates this: "But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped their ears from hearing. They made their hearts like flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets."

· Pride: Pride often underlies disobedience, as individuals place their own judgment above God's. Proverbs 16:18 warns, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

Consequences of Disobedience

The Bible consistently warns of the dire consequences of disobedience. Those who persist in disobedience face God's judgment and wrath. Romans 2:8 declares, "But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger."

Disobedience leads to separation from God, as seen in Isaiah 59:2 : "But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear."

Call to Obedience

Despite the prevalence of disobedience among the wicked, the Bible continually calls individuals to repentance and obedience. Deuteronomy 11:1 exhorts, "You shall therefore love the LORD your God and always keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments."

In summary, disobedience is a defining trait of the wicked, characterized by rebellion, stubbornness, and pride. The Bible provides numerous examples and warnings about the consequences of such behavior, while also offering a path to redemption through obedience to God's will.

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Nehemiah 9:26
Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against you, and cast your law behind their backs, and slew your prophets which testified against them to turn them to you, and they worked great provocations.
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Titus 3:3
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
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1 Peter 2:7
To you therefore which believe he is precious: but to them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
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... that man is a noble character, evolving heavenwards, it ... of the admonition""Let the
wicked forsake his ... that the corrupted offspring of disobedient Adam should ...
/.../pink/the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter four the character of.htm

The Character of the Persons for whom this Rest is Designed.
... 6. As an essential part of the character of God's ... does it not plainly imply, that
when wicked men have ... If the spirits of those that "were disobedient in the ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter iv the character of.htm

On the Formation of the Character of Believers, and on Giving of ...
... II."On the Formation of the Character of Believers, and on Giving ... "Then shall the
wicked go away ... But when man was disobedient, Thou didst deprive him of the ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec ii on the formation of.htm

"Who Will Rise up with Me against the Wicked?"
... of some to "rise up against the wicked," and join ... among you any who do not answer
the preceding character. ... thee again for ever." O be "not disobedient to the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 52 who will rise.htm

Sanctions of Moral Law, Natural and Governmental.
... 3.) The displeasure of government towards the disobedient. ... will reward the righteous
and punish the wicked. ... design which constitutes the moral character of the ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xix sanctions of moral.htm

John Chapter xxi. 12-19.
... holy fathers, as those who are "disobedient to parents ... souls and those of others,
as "wicked;" to outrage ... affection;" to attempt to traduce the character of the ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate cxxiii john chapter xxi.htm

Desolation of the Earth.
... favor of men, now discerns the character and influence ... he should not return from
his wicked way, by ... can express the longing which the disobedient and disloyal ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /41 desolation of the earth.htm

Desolation of the Earth
... favor of men now discerns the character and influence ... he should not return from his
wicked way, by ... can express the longing which the disobedient and disloyal ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 41 desolation of the.htm

Repentance
... contrary to the benevolence of His character, to that ... 18:13), regarded himself as
a very wicked man, and ... upon Himself the guilt of the disobedient and suffered ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 3 repentance.htm

The Approbation of Goodness is not the Love of It.
... and Pharisees, may be applied to disobedient mankind at ... is it, that when the character
of Christ ... as the prophet affirms, desperately wicked, desperately selfish ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/the approbation of goodness is.htm