The term "sulky" refers to a state of being sullen, morose, or resentfully silent. In the context of biblical teachings, sulkiness can be seen as an emotional response that is contrary to the virtues of joy, patience, and forgiveness that are encouraged throughout Scripture. While the Bible does not explicitly use the term "sulky," it addresses the attitudes and behaviors associated with it.

Biblical Examples and Teachings:

1. Cain's Anger and Resentment:
One of the earliest examples of a sulky attitude can be found in the account of Cain and Abel. After God favored Abel's offering over Cain's, Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. The Lord addressed Cain's attitude, saying, "Why are you angry, and why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?" (Genesis 4:6-7). Cain's sulkiness led to further sin, demonstrating the destructive potential of harboring resentment.

2. Ahab's Sullen Behavior:
King Ahab of Israel exhibited a sulky demeanor when he could not obtain Naboth's vineyard. The Bible describes Ahab as "sullen and angry" because Naboth refused to sell his inheritance (1 Kings 21:4). Ahab's sulkiness led to manipulation and murder, orchestrated by his wife Jezebel, highlighting the moral dangers of indulging in such attitudes.

3. Jonah's Displeasure:
The prophet Jonah displayed a sulky attitude after God spared Nineveh. Jonah was displeased and became angry, expressing his frustration to God (Jonah 4:1-3). God's response to Jonah's sulkiness was a lesson in compassion and divine mercy, as He questioned Jonah's right to be angry over the city's repentance.

Teachings on Overcoming Sulkiness:

The Bible encourages believers to cultivate a spirit of joy and contentment, which stands in contrast to sulkiness. The Apostle Paul writes, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4). This exhortation to rejoice is a call to rise above negative emotions and embrace the joy found in a relationship with God.

Additionally, Scripture advises believers to practice forgiveness and patience. In Colossians 3:13, Paul instructs, "Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you" . By forgiving others and letting go of grievances, Christians can avoid the pitfalls of sulkiness.

Practical Application:

To combat sulkiness, believers are encouraged to focus on gratitude and prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 advises, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" . By turning to God in prayer and maintaining a thankful heart, Christians can find peace and contentment, counteracting the tendency to become sulky.

In summary, while the Bible does not directly address the term "sulky," it provides ample guidance on managing the emotions and attitudes associated with it. Through examples and teachings, Scripture encourages believers to pursue joy, forgiveness, and gratitude, fostering a spirit that is pleasing to God.1. (n.) Moodily silent; sullen; sour; obstinate; morose; splenetic.

2. (n.) A light two-wheeled carriage for a single person.

For this Deep and Disabling Reason Therefore, Its Cynical and ...
... Just as the rivalry of armaments is only a sort of sulky plagiarism, so
the rivalry of parties is only a sort of sulky inheritance. ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 39 for this deep.htm

Felicitous Phrases
... irresolute, procrastinating, and unenterprising. irritable, sulky, and furious. ... rough,
barren, and unsightly. rude, sulky, and overbearing. rush, roar, and shriek ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section iii felicitous phrases.htm

Thou Shalt not Kill.
... sees that you have a better house and home [a larger family and more fertile fields],
greater possessions and fortune from God than he, he is sulky, envies you ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/thou shalt not kill.htm

Meanwhile Florian Varillo had not Gone to Naples. ...
... Hailing the first fiacre he saw, he told the driver to take him to Frascati. The
man was either lazy or sulky. "Why not take the train, Signor?". ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxxi meanwhile florian varillo had.htm

Suffocated Trees
... and healthy like a growing tree. He becomes cross and easily provoked,
and is sulky and wilted. If you have done something wrong ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/suffocated trees.htm

July 12, 1896
... If it hides in a corner and is sulky, or if it cries for fear of being
punished, its mother will certainly not forgive the fault. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/therese/story of a soul/iii july 12 1896.htm

The Lessons of a Feast
... another affirming question. All three are met with sulky silence, which
speaks more than words would have done. The first question ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the lessons of a feast.htm

February the Thirteenth Grudges
... My forgiveness of my brother is to be complete. No sullenness is to remain, no sulky
temper which so easily gives birth to thunder and lightning. ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/february the thirteenth grudges.htm

Of those to Whose Wrath Even the Going Down of the Sun Sets no ...
... of anger, and secretly cherish it in their hearts, and silently feed on it in
themselves; without shaking off by an effort of mind their sulky disposition, but ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xi of those to.htm

Hebrew Craft
... room. But a peppery man is seldom sulky, and Kenkenes was fully prepared
for the mildness in his father's voice when he spoke again. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xi hebrew craft.htm

Sulky (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sulky (2 Occurrences). 1 Kings 20:43 and the king of Israel
goeth unto his house, sulky and wroth, and cometh in to Samaria. (YLT). ...
/s/sulky.htm - 7k

Sullen (4 Occurrences)

/s/sullen.htm - 8k

Sulking (1 Occurrence)

/s/sulking.htm - 6k

Heavy (110 Occurrences)
... under the pressure of the ideas presented to them" (Mason, The Conditions of our
Lord's Life on Earth); compare Mark 14:33; (3) morose, sulky, as well as sad ...
/h/heavy.htm - 44k

Heaviness (14 Occurrences)
... under the pressure of the ideas presented to them" (Mason, The Conditions of our
Lord's Life on Earth); compare Mark 14:33; (3) morose, sulky, as well as sad ...
/h/heaviness.htm - 16k

Wroth (65 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). 1 Kings 20:43 and the king of Israel goeth unto his
house, sulky and wroth, and cometh in to Samaria. (YLT). ...
/w/wroth.htm - 26k

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