Topical Bible: Character of the Wicked: Unthankful

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The character of the wicked is often depicted in Scripture as being unthankful, a trait that stands in stark contrast to the virtues of gratitude and thankfulness that are encouraged throughout the Bible. This lack of thankfulness is not merely a social faux pas but is indicative of a deeper spiritual malaise and rebellion against God.

Biblical References:

1. Romans 1:21 : "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." This verse highlights the unthankfulness of those who, despite knowing God, refuse to honor Him or express gratitude. Their ingratitude is linked to a decline in moral and spiritual understanding, leading to a darkened heart.

2. 2 Timothy 3:1-2 : "But understand this: In the last days, terrible times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy." Here, unthankfulness is listed among other vices that characterize people in the last days. It is associated with self-centeredness and a departure from holiness.

3. Luke 6:35 : "But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked." Jesus teaches that God’s kindness extends even to the ungrateful and wicked, underscoring the divine expectation of gratitude and the stark reality of human ingratitude.

Theological Implications:

Unthankfulness is more than a mere absence of gratitude; it is a symptom of a heart turned away from God. It reflects a failure to recognize God's sovereignty, provision, and grace. Ingratitude is often accompanied by pride, as individuals who do not acknowledge God’s gifts may attribute their successes to their own efforts or luck.

Moral and Spiritual Consequences:

The unthankful heart is prone to further wickedness. Without gratitude, there is little room for humility, repentance, or the acknowledgment of one's dependence on God. This can lead to a cycle of sin and rebellion, as seen in the progression described in Romans 1. The unthankful person is often isolated from the community of believers, as gratitude fosters fellowship and unity.

Contrast with the Righteous:

In contrast, the righteous are characterized by thankfulness. Scriptures such as 1 Thessalonians 5:18 exhort believers to "give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." Thankfulness is a hallmark of a life transformed by the Holy Spirit, reflecting a heart that recognizes and responds to God’s grace and mercy.

Practical Application:

Believers are called to cultivate a spirit of thankfulness, recognizing it as a defense against the encroachment of wickedness. Regular expressions of gratitude in prayer, worship, and daily life serve as reminders of God’s goodness and help maintain a posture of humility and dependence on Him.

Nave's Topical Index

Luke 6:35
But love you your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind to the unthankful and to the evil.
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2 Timothy 3:2
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
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Library

We are Worshippers of one God, of Whose Existence and Character ...
... of one God, of whose existence and character Nature teaches ... bestows His blessings
alike on wicked men and ... judgment, when both thankful and unthankful will have ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/to scapula/chapter ii we are worshippers.htm

Letter iii. --For 331. Easter-Day xvi Pharmuthi; iii Id. April ...
... properly cast out as a wicked and unthankful person. ... he took seven other spirits
more wicked than himself ... them the law, because they were not of this character. ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter iii for 331 easter-day xvi.htm

John Chapter xxi. 12-19.
... because unwilling to let them perish, as "unthankful;" to slay ... souls and those of
others, as "wicked;" to outrage ... to attempt to traduce the character of the ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate cxxiii john chapter xxi.htm

Attributes of Love.
... seek the good of the evil and unthankful, and to ... of benevolence appears conspicuous
in the character of God ... find many prayers for the punishment of the wicked. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xiv attributes of love.htm

Letter x. --For 338. Coss. Ursus and Polemius; Pr??f. The Same ...
... For virtue is philanthropic [4234] , just as in men of an opposite character, sin
is ... unthankful opponent of Christ, altogether wicked, and the slayer of ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter x for 338 coss ursus.htm

2 Timothy iii. 4-Jan
... Such is the character of deceivers ... The unthankful man is a truce-breaker, he is without
natural ... it is impossible for man, in his warfare with the wicked, not to ...
/.../homily viii 2 timothy iii.htm

Instances of God's Repentance, and Notably in the Case of the ...
... of the man who has proved himself unthankful for a ... most good God as most patient
over the wicked, and most ... as they are with God's judicial character, we have ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxiv instances of gods repentance.htm

Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity Paul's Thanks and Prayers for ...
... Let us not be found unthankful, and forgetful of ... prevalent ingratitude like that
of the wicked servant who ... our gratitude is of a character to increasingly heap ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty second sunday after trinity.htm

The Sermon on the Mount
... in humanity, and showed the excellence of character that obedience ... to hard denunciations,
and pleased the wicked one by ... He is "kind unto the unthankful and to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 31 the sermon on.htm

Homilies on Galatians and Ephesians.
... to be presumed upon, [298]69; kind to the unthankful, [299]139 ... Julian, St., a recluse,
his character, [370]156. ... of the Gospel to be obeyed though wicked, [415]8 ...
/.../homilies on galatians and ephesians.htm