Topical Bible: Wicked (People): Worship of, offensive to God

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The concept of wickedness in the Bible is often associated with actions and attitudes that are contrary to the nature and commands of God. The worship of wicked people, or the elevation of ungodly individuals to a status of reverence, is consistently portrayed as offensive to God throughout the Scriptures. This entry explores the biblical perspective on the worship of wicked people and why it is considered an affront to the divine.

Biblical Definition of Wickedness

In the Bible, wickedness is characterized by a departure from God's laws and a rejection of His righteousness. The wicked are those who engage in sin, promote injustice, and live in rebellion against God's will. Proverbs 15:9 states, "The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness" . This verse highlights the stark contrast between the wicked and the righteous, emphasizing God's disdain for wickedness.

Worship of Wicked People

The worship or veneration of wicked individuals is seen as a form of idolatry, which is strictly condemned in the Bible. Idolatry involves attributing divine honor and reverence to anything or anyone other than God. In Romans 1:25, Paul writes, "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen" . This passage underscores the folly of elevating the created over the Creator, a principle that applies to the worship of wicked people.

Offense to God

The worship of wicked people is offensive to God because it directly contradicts His holiness and justice. God is described as a righteous judge who cannot tolerate sin. Psalm 5:4-5 declares, "For You are not a God who delights in wickedness; no evil can dwell with You. The boastful cannot stand in Your presence; You hate all workers of iniquity" . This passage illustrates God's intolerance for wickedness and His opposition to those who practice it.

Furthermore, the worship of wicked individuals often leads others astray, promoting a culture of sin and rebellion against God. In Isaiah 5:20, the prophet warns, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter" . This warning highlights the danger of distorting moral values and the consequences of venerating the wicked.

Conclusion

The worship of wicked people is a serious offense to God, as it undermines His authority and distorts the moral order He has established. The Bible consistently calls believers to reject wickedness and to worship God alone, who is worthy of all honor and praise. By adhering to God's commandments and pursuing righteousness, believers can avoid the pitfalls of idolatry and remain faithful to the one true God.

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Psalm 50:16,17
But to the wicked God said, What have you to do to declare my statutes, or that you should take my covenant in your mouth?
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Isaiah 1:10-15
Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; give ear to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah.
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Library

Sunday after Easter
... Any unbelieving, spiritless, wicked knave can exercise human ... the Holy Spirit, knowingly
plunging people into unpardonable ... Word under foot and worship the devil ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/sunday after easter.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation
... be allowed to go a three days' journey into the wilderness to worship Him-"And ... this
time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked." Mark that ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter five the sovereignty of.htm

Eudoxia's Statue
... of Chrysostom's innocence, and of the wicked nullity of ... the Emperor addressed the
Senate, the people, and the ... images, when they condemned the worship of Pagan ...
/.../chapter xlvii eudoxias statue.htm

"Who Will Rise up with Me against the Wicked?"
... nation,) of some to "rise up against the wicked," and join ... ought to be spent in the
more immediate worship of God. ... For what can an handful of poor people do in ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 52 who will rise.htm

Acts 17:26 "One Blood. "
... we do not forget that it was wicked Cain who ... goes on in a country where people call
themselves ... so keen about Christian profession and external worship, and yet ...
/.../the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter vi acts 17 26 one.htm

The Third Commandment
... When we seem to worship God, but withdraw our heart from him ... This people draw near
me with their mouth, and with their ... It is written.' To hear a wicked man who ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 3 the third commandment.htm

A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox.
... I could remember might have been offensive in that ... to torment, than that they would
worship another god ... was then given to be profaned by wicked people, got no ...
/.../knox/the pulpit of the reformation nos 1 2 and 3 /a sermon on isaiah xxvi.htm

Against Rash and Vain Swearing.
... Scripture as a special part of religious worship, or devotion ... more befitting the
scum of the people than the ... my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before ...
/.../sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/against rash and vain swearing.htm

The Necessity and Effect of Union.
... full of mercies but these parsimonious and wicked professors thought ... work to build
a house of worship, and know ... And yet people make themselves believe they are ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xvi the necessity and.htm

Faustus Denies that Manich??ans Believe in Two Gods. Hyle no God. ...
... qualification of this world, that is, of wicked men, who ... Do you think people are
so stupid as not to ... liable to corruption, the object of your worship is not ...
/.../faustus denies that manichaeans believe.htm