Topical Bible: Faith: The Wicked Destitute of

◄ Faith: The Wicked Destitute of ►

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In the biblical context, faith is a profound trust and confidence in God, His promises, and His divine plan. It is a central tenet of Christian belief, essential for salvation and a life pleasing to God. However, Scripture makes it clear that the wicked are destitute of true faith, as their hearts are turned away from God and His righteousness.

The absence of faith in the wicked is highlighted in several passages throughout the Bible. In the Book of Psalms, the psalmist describes the wicked as those who do not seek God: "In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him; in all his schemes there is no God" (Psalm 10:4). This verse underscores the self-reliance and arrogance of the wicked, who reject the need for divine guidance and trust in their own understanding.

The prophet Jeremiah also speaks to the lack of faith among the wicked, emphasizing their deceitful nature: "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). This passage suggests that the wicked are inherently untrustworthy and incapable of genuine faith, as their hearts are corrupted and distant from God.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses the condition of the wicked in his letter to the Romans. He writes, "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts" (Romans 1:21). Here, Paul illustrates that the wicked, despite having knowledge of God, choose to reject Him, resulting in a lack of faith and a descent into spiritual darkness.

The writer of Hebrews further elaborates on the necessity of faith, stating, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). This verse highlights the fundamental requirement of faith for a relationship with God, a requirement unmet by the wicked due to their unbelief and rebellion.

The absence of faith in the wicked is not merely a passive state but is often accompanied by active opposition to God and His people. In the Book of Proverbs, it is written, "The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble" (Proverbs 4:19). This imagery of darkness conveys the spiritual blindness and moral confusion that characterize the lives of those without faith.

The wicked's lack of faith ultimately leads to their downfall, as they are unable to stand firm in the face of trials and judgment. Jesus Himself warns of the consequences of unbelief, saying, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him" (John 3:36). This stark contrast between belief and unbelief underscores the eternal significance of faith and the perilous state of the wicked who are destitute of it.

In summary, the Bible consistently portrays the wicked as lacking true faith, resulting in a life of spiritual darkness, moral corruption, and eventual judgment. Their rejection of God and His truth leaves them without the hope and assurance that faith provides, highlighting the critical importance of faith in the life of a believer.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 10:25
Jesus answered them, I told you, and you believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
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John 12:37
But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
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Acts 19:9
But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spoke evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
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2 Thessalonians 3:2
And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
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Library

Unity of the Faith of the Church Throughout the Whole World.
... with the ungodly, and unrighteous, and wicked, and profane ... to the general scheme
of the faith; and explain ... ??ons, as these teachers who are destitute of truly ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter x unity of the faith.htm

Further Exposure of the Wicked and Blasphemous Doctrines of the ...
... For, since they are destitute of all those [virtues ... or by incantations, or by any
other wicked curious art ... witnesses of the efficacy of Christian faith." [See cap ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxii further exposure of the.htm

That all the Saints, Both under the Law and Before It, were ...
... It was by faith in this mystery, and godliness of life ... when one awaketh, and suddenly
finds himself destitute of all ... he saw them enjoyed by the wicked, his feet ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 25 that all the saints.htm

Manasseh and Josiah
... about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented ... had maintained
the purity of their faith began to ... 22:2. Born of a wicked king, beset ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 32 manasseh and josiah.htm

Commandment Fifth. Of Sadness of Heart, and of Patience.
... Wherefore do you depart from that most wicked spirit anger ... For they who are full
of faith receive no harm ... for it is the doubters and those destitute [of faith ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/commandment fifth of sadness of.htm

Andover Orthodox Creed.
... nature, every man is personally depraved, destitute of holiness ... prayer; that repentance
unto life, faith to feed ... to all eternity: but that the wicked will awake ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/andover orthodox creed.htm

He that Doubteth is Damned if He Eat, Because He Eateth not of ...
... not of faith; for whatsoever is not of faith is sin ... cave, considering himself as
all alone and destitute of friends ... shows that he is selfish and wicked, and is ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/he that doubteth is damned.htm

Of Justification by Faith. Both the Name and the Reality Defined.
... a reputation for righteousness of which they were destitute. ... in that language the
name of wicked is given ... God would justify the heathen through faith," (Gal.3:8 ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 of justification by.htm

Letter cvi. To Anatolius, Bishop of Constantinople, in Rebuke of ...
... is opposed to their authority is utterly destitute of all ... to misuse a synodal council,
as by wicked arguments to ... summoned simply on a matter of Faith, and had ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter cvi to anatolius bishop.htm

Hebrews xiii. 17
... not manifest to all, and the wicked [ruler] will ... for righteousness." ( Genesis
15:6.) But Faith [comes] of ... a connection in appearance only but destitute of all ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxxiv hebrews xiii 17.htm