Topical Bible: Contempt: Sin of

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Contempt, in the biblical context, refers to an attitude of disdain or disrespect towards God, His commandments, or His appointed leaders. It is considered a serious sin as it reflects a heart that is hardened against divine authority and wisdom. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that highlight the gravity of contempt and its consequences.

Old Testament Instances

In the Old Testament, contempt is often directed towards God's laws and His chosen leaders. One of the earliest examples is found in the account of Cain and Abel. Cain's offering was not accepted by God, and instead of repenting, Cain's heart was filled with contempt, leading to the murder of his brother Abel (Genesis 4:3-8). This act of contempt against God's standards resulted in severe punishment and alienation.

The Israelites frequently displayed contempt towards God during their wilderness journey. In Numbers 14:11, the LORD said to Moses, "How long will this people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, despite all the signs I have performed among them?" Their contempt was manifested in their constant grumbling and rebellion, which ultimately led to their prolonged wandering and the denial of entry into the Promised Land for that generation.

Contempt for God's Commandments

Contempt for God's commandments is equated with rejecting His authority. Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Here, contempt is associated with foolishness and a rejection of divine wisdom. The psalmist also warns against such attitudes, saying, "The arrogant utterly deride me, but I do not turn from Your law" (Psalm 119:51).

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the issue of contempt in His teachings. In the Sermon on the Mount, He warns against harboring contemptuous thoughts towards others, equating them with the sin of murder: "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be subject to the fire of hell" (Matthew 5:22). Here, "Raca" is an Aramaic term of contempt, illustrating the seriousness of such attitudes.

The Apostle Paul also addresses contempt within the Christian community. In Romans 14:10, he writes, "Why, then, do you judge your brother? Or why do you belittle your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat." Paul emphasizes that contempt among believers undermines the unity and love that should characterize the body of Christ.

Consequences of Contempt

The Bible consistently portrays contempt as a sin that leads to spiritual and sometimes physical consequences. In 2 Samuel 6:16, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked upon King David with contempt as he danced before the LORD. As a result, she remained childless throughout her life (2 Samuel 6:23). This narrative underscores the personal cost of harboring contempt towards God's anointed.

Moreover, contempt for God's word and His messengers can lead to a hardened heart, making repentance and reconciliation with God more difficult. Hebrews 10:29 warns, "How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace?"

Conclusion

Contempt, as depicted in the Bible, is a sin that reflects a deep-seated rebellion against God and His order. It is a condition of the heart that manifests in actions and attitudes contrary to the teachings of Scripture. The biblical narrative consistently calls believers to humility, respect, and obedience, warning against the destructive nature of contempt.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 31:13,14
If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 14:21
He that despises his neighbor sins: but he that has mercy on the poor, happy is he.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

That the Contempt of the Evangelical Counsels is a Great Sin.
... UNTO US BY HIS COMMANDMENTS, COUNSELS AND INSPIRATIONS. CHAPTER VIII. THAT
THE CONTEMPT OF THE EVANGELICAL COUNSELS IS A GREAT SIN. ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter viii that the contempt.htm

Letter xvi. --Hatred of Sin.
... Remember that God, without willing sin, has made of it a very useful instrument
for keeping us always in a state of abjection and self-contempt. ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter xvi hatred of sin.htm

On Contempt for Pain, Poverty, and Other External Things.
... Chapter V."On Contempt for Pain, Poverty, and Other External Things. ... of repentance,
knows his life to be sinful will lose it"losing it from sin, from which ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter v on contempt for pain.htm

Answering the Reasons which those Ministers Give, which Hinder the ...
... without the guilt of Mortal Sin, because they are not worthy of it, or for the greater
reverence of it, or, because much Familiarity breeds Contempt, or else ...
/.../chap ii answering the reasons.htm

The Heinous Sin of Drunkenness
... by living in a regular sensuality, than even by the very sin I have ... well as direct
intemperance; and though the latter may expose us to more contempt among men ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the heinous sin of drunkenness.htm

Shame on Account of God's Displeasure.
... would gladly have changed places with the least known and be lost among the throng
from the eye of wonder, pity, contempt or cruel triumph. All sin makes us ...
/.../dods/how to become like christ/shame on account of gods.htm

That Heavenly Love is Lost in a Moment.
... Yes, Theotimus, for in this contempt of God does mortal sin consist, and one only
mortal sin banishes charity from the soul, inasmuch as it breaks the ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter iv that heavenly love.htm

From the Fourth to the Seventh Commandment
... So for all your actions. An act which in itself might be a venial sin could
easily become a mortal sin if you did it through contempt. ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 33 from the fourth.htm

An Exhortation to the People of God not to be Discouraged in their ...
... Lord Jesus Christ; and there, you shall be for ever exempted from sin; you shall ...
them say what they please of me, the reproaches, scorns, and contempt of this ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/an exhortation to the people.htm

On the Effects of the Sin of Our First Parents
... The first and immediate effect of the sin which Adam and Eve committed in eating
of the forbidden fruit, was the offending of the Deity ... (3.) A contempt of the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xxxi on the effects.htm