Topical Bible: Character of the Unrenewed Heart: Rebellious

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The concept of the rebellious heart is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, illustrating the natural inclination of humanity to resist God's authority and commandments. This rebellion is a fundamental characteristic of the unrenewed heart, which has not yet been transformed by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Biblical Examples and Descriptions

1. The Fall of Man: The earliest instance of rebellion is found in Genesis 3, where Adam and Eve disobey God's command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This act of defiance marks the beginning of humanity's rebellious nature. 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. Israel's Rebellion in the Wilderness: The Israelites frequently exhibited a rebellious spirit during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. Despite witnessing God's miraculous interventions, they often complained and resisted His guidance. Numbers 14:9 warns, "Only do not rebel against the LORD, and do not be afraid of the people of the land, for they will be like bread for us. Their protection has been removed, and the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them!"

3. The Stubbornness of the Heart: The unrenewed heart is described as stubborn and obstinate, refusing to heed God's voice. Jeremiah 5:23 declares, "But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. They have turned aside and gone away."

4. The Rebellion of Saul: King Saul's disobedience to God's commands is another example of a rebellious heart. In 1 Samuel 15:23 , the prophet Samuel confronts Saul, saying, "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."

The Nature of Rebellion

Rebellion against God is not merely an outward act but stems from an inward condition of the heart. It is characterized by pride, self-will, and a refusal to submit to divine authority. This rebellious nature is inherent in all humanity due to the fall and is described in Romans 8:7 : "The mind of the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so."

Consequences of Rebellion

The Bible warns of severe consequences for those who persist in rebellion against God. Proverbs 17:11 states, "An evil man seeks only rebellion; a cruel messenger will be sent against him." Rebellion leads to spiritual death and separation from God, as seen in Romans 6:23 : "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

God's Call to Repentance

Despite the rebellious nature of the unrenewed heart, God continually calls individuals to repentance and offers forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Ezekiel 18:31 urges, "Cast away from yourselves all the offenses you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel?"

The rebellious heart can be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, leading to a life of obedience and submission to God's will. This transformation is central to the Christian message of redemption and renewal.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 5:23
But this people has a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Living Stones on the Living Foundation Stone
... between a thoughtless mind, an unrenewed heart, a rebellious ... know not how close to
His heart we can ... individual graces in the Christian character, the building ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/living stones on the living.htm

Covenanting Adapted to the Moral Constitution of Man.
... the offers of mercy to the unrenewed are made as ... as they are unaccepted, they possess
the same character. ... exercise of believing; from the heart, whose energies ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vii covenanting adapted to.htm

The Wedding Garment
... to a Christian, but which the unrenewed heart is not ... his brow as brass and hardened
his heart as adamant ... may lead you to suspect his true character, but when ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the wedding garment.htm

Vile Ingratitude!
... with the moral abominations that dwell in the unrenewed heart. ... still one is more
fearful in its character than the ... demon of pride at the bottom of your heart. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/vile ingratitude.htm

Entire Sanctification
... spirit of error will work in the unrenewed heart, filling it ... he may secure a continual
residence in their heart. ... master, and say what his moral character was. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clarke/entire sanctification/entire sanctification.htm

Of the Nature of Regeneration, and Particularly of the Change it ...
... while in an unenlightened and unrenewed state. ... important branches of the Christian
character, which may ... of this vain, this treacherous, this rebellious heart. ...
/.../doddridge/practical discourses on regeneration/discourse ii of the nature.htm

The Warrant of Faith
... evangelical repentance never can exist in an unrenewed soul ... he sees so much of his
own hardness of heart. ... Again, it is inconsistent with the character of God to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the warrant of faith.htm

The Doctrines of Grace do not Lead to Sin
... Straightway the unrenewed man seeks out artillery with which ... prove themselves to
be their superiors in character. ... in morals before grace gives a heart to love ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 29 1883/the doctrines of grace do.htm

Confession of Sin Illustrated by the Cases of Dr. Pritchard and ...
... of death, for murders of the most atrocious character. ... and ready acknowledgments
of a man whose heart is touched ... What unrenewed man thinks it a sin to forget ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 11 1865/confession of sin illustrated by.htm

Having used these means to procure them
... and death should find me in an unrenewed state? ... pardon all your sins, and change
your heart, and show ... you make a difference according to the character of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/article 2 2.htm