Topical Bible: Hell: The Wise Avoid

◄ Hell: The Wise Avoid ►

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Hell, as depicted in the Bible, is a place of eternal separation from God, characterized by suffering and punishment for the unrighteous. It is a topic that has been the subject of much theological discussion and is often portrayed as a warning to encourage righteous living and faithfulness to God.

Biblical Descriptions of Hell

The Bible provides several descriptions of hell, emphasizing its nature as a place of torment and separation from God. In the New Testament, Jesus frequently speaks of hell using the term "Gehenna," a reference to the Valley of Hinnom, a place outside Jerusalem associated with idolatry and child sacrifice (2 Kings 23:10). In the Gospels, Jesus warns of the dangers of hell, describing it as a place "where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched" (Mark 9:48).

The Book of Revelation provides a vivid depiction of hell as a "lake of fire" reserved for the devil, his angels, and those whose names are not found in the Book of Life (Revelation 20:10, 15). This imagery underscores the finality and severity of the judgment awaiting the wicked.

The Purpose of Hell

From a biblical perspective, hell serves as a just consequence for sin and rebellion against God. It is a manifestation of God's holiness and justice, where unrepentant sinners face the repercussions of their choices. Romans 6:23 states, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" . This verse highlights the contrast between the eternal life offered through Christ and the eternal death that is hell.

The Wise Avoidance of Hell

The Bible consistently portrays wisdom as the fear of the Lord and adherence to His commandments. Proverbs 9:10 declares, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" . The wise, therefore, are those who recognize the reality of hell and choose to live in accordance with God's will, seeking His righteousness and salvation.

Jesus' teachings emphasize the importance of repentance and faith as means to avoid hell. In Matthew 7:13-14, He instructs, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it" . This passage underscores the necessity of deliberate and faithful living to avoid the path leading to destruction.

Salvation Through Christ

Central to the Christian understanding of avoiding hell is the belief in salvation through Jesus Christ. John 3:16-17 affirms, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him" . This promise of salvation is available to all who place their faith in Christ, repent of their sins, and follow Him.

The Apostle Paul reiterates this message in Ephesians 2:8-9, stating, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast" . Salvation is thus presented as a gift, underscoring the grace and mercy of God in providing a way to avoid the eternal consequences of sin.

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of hell serves as a solemn reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of living a life aligned with God's will. Through faith in Jesus Christ and adherence to His teachings, the wise can avoid the path leading to destruction and embrace the promise of eternal life.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 15:24
The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How those are to be Admonished who Praise the Unlawful Things of ...
... those who while condemning them, in no wise guard against ... those who censure wrong
things and yet avoid them not ... says, Let them go down quick into hell (Psalm 54 ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxxi how those are.htm

A Wise Desire
... if left to ourselves, the road to hell would be as ... of it as being a very just and
wise prayer""He ... a crushing misfortune which you no more could avoid than an ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/a wise desire.htm

Curiosity a Temptation to Sin.
... "Enter not into its path," saith the wise man; the ... To enter not the path of the wicked,
to avoid it, and ... Heaven and hell are at war for us and against us, yet ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon v curiosity a temptation.htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... BETIMES, AND TO SEEK, BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, TO AVOID, LEST THEY ... And 'the rich
man died,' and in hell, mark, 'in hell he lift up his ... Not many wise men after ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm

Whether These Same Souls Suffer Spiritual Affliction on Account of ...
... will be more painful than their being burned in hell fire ... on account of what one
was unable to avoid; hence Seneca ... 85, and De ira ii, 6) that "a wise man is not ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether these same souls suffer.htm

First, for Thy Thoughts.
... it"of judgment, to avoid it"of hell, to escape ... in particular, in making conscience
to avoid every known ... nor neglects popularity; but in any wise take heed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/first for thy thoughts.htm

Turning-Points
... has made up his mind that he is quite worldly-wise; that no ... Avoid every appearance
of evil ... Believe that in every temptation heaven and hell may be at stake: and ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon viii turning-points.htm

The Pure in Heart
... them, lest he frighten them into lying; to avoid bad language ... by seeking his own
glory"(so, at least, wise men say)"that he fell from heaven to hell. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xvi the pure in.htm

The Seventh Commandment
... To avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife ... Her guests are in the depths
of hell.' Proverbs 9:18 ... A wise traveller, though many pleasant dishes are set ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 7 the seventh commandment.htm

Concerning the Condition of Man in the Fall.
... are eternally damned, and forever endure the torments of hell. ... seemeth to be
particularly careful to avoid that any ... No, in no wise; for we have before, proved ...
/.../proposition iv concerning the condition.htm