In the biblical context, the concept of "refusing" often carries significant spiritual and moral implications. It can denote a rejection of God's commands, wisdom, or guidance, as well as a refusal to engage in sinful behavior or idolatry. The act of refusing can be seen both positively and negatively, depending on the context and the object of refusal.

Refusal of God's Commandments

One of the most prominent examples of refusal in the Bible is the Israelites' repeated refusal to obey God's commandments. In the wilderness, they often resisted God's instructions, leading to severe consequences. In Deuteronomy 9:23 , Moses recounts, "And when the LORD sent you out from Kadesh-barnea, He said, 'Go up and possess the land that I have given you.' But you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God. You neither believed Him nor obeyed His voice."

Refusal of Wisdom

Proverbs frequently addresses the refusal of wisdom, equating it with folly and destruction. Proverbs 1:24-25 states, "Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand, because you neglected all my counsel and wanted none of my correction." Here, the refusal of wisdom is portrayed as a deliberate choice that leads to negative consequences.

Refusal of Idolatry and Sin

Conversely, refusal can be a demonstration of faithfulness and righteousness. Daniel and his companions refused to defile themselves with the king's food and wine, choosing instead to adhere to their dietary laws (Daniel 1:8). This refusal was an act of devotion to God and His commandments.

Similarly, in the New Testament, believers are encouraged to refuse ungodliness and worldly passions. Titus 2:11-12 instructs, "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age."

Refusal of Christ

The refusal to accept Christ and His message is a central theme in the New Testament. Jesus laments over Jerusalem's refusal to accept Him, saying in Matthew 23:37 , "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling."

Refusal in the Early Church

In the early church, refusal to conform to societal norms that contradicted Christian teachings was a mark of true discipleship. The apostles, when commanded to stop preaching in the name of Jesus, famously replied in Acts 5:29 , "We must obey God rather than men."

Conclusion

The biblical narrative presents refusal as a powerful act that can either lead to spiritual downfall or demonstrate steadfast faith. Whether it is the refusal to heed God's commands or the refusal to engage in sin, the Bible provides numerous examples that illustrate the profound impact of this choice on one's spiritual journey.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Refuse.763. asebeia -- ungodliness, impiety
... wickedness. Cognate: 763 -- properly, a lack of respect, itself in --
ie refusing to give honor where honor is due. See 765 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/763.htm - 7k

3114. makrothumeo -- to persevere, to be patient
... perseverance. Cognate: 3114 -- properly, (to ), refusing to with anger, because
of reasoning. [The literal sense if the term is " ().". ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3114.htm - 7k

1365. distazo -- twenty thousand
... standing") -- properly, going two ways, shifting between positions; choosing "a
double-stance" and hence (waver); (figuratively) because refusing to choose way ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1365.htm - 6k

4729. stenochoreo -- to be made narrow, to compress
... and 5566, "an area, space") -- properly, to restrict, keep in a closed space; ,
severely cramp; (figuratively) for someone, like when refusing to positively ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4729.htm - 7k

4641. sklerokardia -- hardness of heart
... of a lack of moisture (lubricant); an obstinate, hard heart which lacks the oil
of the Holy Spirit and hence implies rebellion -- ie someone refusing to be ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4641.htm - 7k

506. anupotaktos -- not subject to rule
... 506 (from 1 "not" and 5273 , " God's ") -- properly, not submissive; disobedient
(unruly), unwilling to come under Christ's Lordship; refusing to "fall in line ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/506.htm - 7k

813. ataktos -- out of order, out of place
... derived from 1 "not" and 5021 , "draw up, arrange") -- properly, out-of-line ("without
order," M. Vincent); (figuratively) out of () ; , refusing to observe ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/813.htm - 7k

569. apisteo -- to disbelieve, be faithless
... 569 ("not willing to be persuaded") means more than "disbelieve" ("not believing")
because it indicates "refusing to be faithful" (honor a trust or revelation ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/569.htm - 8k

4231. pragmateuomai -- to busy oneself
... bear fruit" (cf. Jn 15:2f), ie the opposite of being because refusing to
make trades by "playing it safe.". 4231 () means "turning ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4231.htm - 7k

3986. maen -- refusing
... refusing. Transliteration: maen Phonetic Spelling: (maw-ane') Short Definition:
refuse. Word Origin from maen Definition refusing NASB Word Usage refuse (3). ...
/hebrew/3986.htm - 6k

3987. meen -- refusing
... refusing. Transliteration: meen Phonetic Spelling: (may-ane') Short Definition:
refuse. Word Origin from maen Definition refusing NASB Word Usage who refuse (1) ...
/hebrew/3987.htm - 6k

3985. maen -- to refuse
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to refuse NASB Word Usage absolutely refuses
(1), refuse (8), refused (26), refuses (4), refusing (2). refuse, utterly. ...
/hebrew/3985.htm - 5k

My Reasons for Refusing a Conference.
... 8. My reasons for refusing a Conference. Most noble and potent Lords, this
is a true narration of those interviews and conferences ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/8 my reasons for refusing.htm

That the Romans, by Refusing to the Poets the Same License in ...
... Chapter 12."That the Romans, by Refusing to the Poets the Same License in Respect
of Men Which They Allowed Them in the Case of the Gods, Showed a More ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 12 that the romans by.htm

The Emperor's Letter to Eusebius Praising Him for Refusing the ...
... Book III. Chapter LXI."The Emperor's Letter to Eusebius praising him for
refusing the Bishopric of Antioch. The Emperor's Letter ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter lxi the emperors letter to.htm

Epiphanius is Asked to Meet John; on Refusing He is Admonished ...
... Chapter XIV."Epiphanius is asked to meet John; on refusing he is admonished concerning
his Anticanonical Proceedings; alarmed at this he leaves Constantinople ...
/.../chapter xiv epiphanius is asked to.htm

The Jury's Charge against Wesley
... "5. By refusing to baptize Mr. Parker's child, otherwise than by dipping, except
the parents would certify it was weak and not able to bear it. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/the jurys charge against wesley.htm

The Transplanting of Congregationalism
... This proclamation was the famous "Book of Sports," and many Puritan clergymen
paid dearly for refusing to read it to their congregations. ...
/.../chapter ii the transplanting of.htm

The Entreaties of God
... to try to set forth the wonderfulness of this mystery of a beseeching God, and to
put by the side of it the other wonder and mystery of men refusing the divine ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the entreaties of god.htm

God's Word not to be Refused
... Must ye add to all this weight by again refusing? Oh! ... See to it; pass over in
examination your own state and conduct, lest you may have been refusing Christ. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/gods word not to be.htm

The Aggravated Guilt of Him who Delivered Christ to Pilate.
... I. Pilate blaming Jesus, for refusing to answer him"boasting of his power, and
appealing to our Lord, that he possessed it. Speakest thou not unto me? ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xii the aggravated guilt.htm

Anti-Unionistic Attitude.
... Refusing Fellowship to Non-Lutherans."The purpose of the General Synod was an external
union of all bodies bearing the Lutheran name, irrespective of their ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/anti-unionistic attitude.htm

Refusing (21 Occurrences)
...Refusing (21 Occurrences). ... (WEY). 1 Timothy 5:11 and younger widows be refusing,
for when they may revel against the Christ, they wish to marry, (YLT). ...
/r/refusing.htm - 12k

Refute (6 Occurrences)

/r/refute.htm - 9k

Dial (2 Occurrences)
... His father Ahaz had shown his want of faith by refusing to put the Lord to the test,
by refusing to ask a sign, whether in the heaven above or in the earth ...
/d/dial.htm - 19k

Refuseth (22 Occurrences)

/r/refuseth.htm - 13k

Zacharias (11 Occurrences)
... As a punishment for his refusing to believe this message, he was struck dumb and
"not able to speak until the day that these things should be performed" (20). ...
/z/zacharias.htm - 15k

Nazirite (10 Occurrences)
... It was in this same protest that the Rechabites, who were at least akin to the
Nazirites, went still farther in refusing even in Canaan to abandon the nomadic ...
/n/nazirite.htm - 21k

Oppressions (5 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 33:15 He who walks righteously, and speaks blamelessly; He who despises the
gain of oppressions, who gestures with his hands, refusing to take a bribe ...
/o/oppressions.htm - 8k

Jeremiah (141 Occurrences)
... Johanan succeeded Gedaliah, and refusing to listen to Jeremiah's counsels, went
down into Egypt, taking Jeremiah and Baruch with him (Jeremiah 43:6). There ...
/j/jeremiah.htm - 75k

Gestures (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 33:15 He who walks righteously, and speaks blamelessly; He who despises the
gain of oppressions, who gestures with his hands, refusing to take a bribe ...
/g/gestures.htm - 6k

Frustrated (7 Occurrences)
... Luke 7:30 But the Pharisees and expounders of the Law have frustrated God's purpose
as to their own lives, by refusing to be baptized. (WEY). ...
/f/frustrated.htm - 8k

Where was Daniel when his three friends were thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to worship Nebuchadnezzar's statue? | GotQuestions.org

I have been burned and hurt by the church in the past. How can I overcome this and renew a passion for church and a desire to attend church? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? | GotQuestions.org

Refusing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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