Topical Encyclopedia Sin, in its essence, is a transgression against the divine law and a defiance of God's holy nature. The Bible presents sin as an act of rebellion against God, where the wicked consciously choose to defy His commandments and statutes. This defiance is not merely a passive state but an active opposition to God's will and authority.Biblical Examples of Defiance Throughout Scripture, numerous examples illustrate the wicked defying God through their sinful actions. One of the earliest and most profound instances is found in the account of Cain and Abel. Cain's murder of his brother Abel was not only an act of violence but a direct defiance of God's warning and instruction. Genesis 4:7 records God's admonition to Cain: "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it." Cain's subsequent action was a deliberate choice to ignore God's counsel. Another significant example is the generation of Noah's time, described in Genesis 6:5 : "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time." This pervasive wickedness was a collective defiance against God's righteousness, leading to the judgment of the flood. Characteristics of Defiance The defiance of the wicked is characterized by a willful rejection of God's authority and a preference for self-rule. Proverbs 21:29 states, "A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure." This hardening of the face symbolizes a stubborn resistance to divine correction and an obstinate commitment to one's sinful path. The prophet Isaiah also speaks to this defiance, highlighting the audacity of the wicked in Isaiah 5:20 : "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter." This inversion of moral order is a hallmark of defiance, where the wicked not only commit sin but also seek to justify and normalize it. Consequences of Defiance The Bible is clear about the consequences of defying God through sin. Romans 1:18 declares, "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness." This divine wrath is a response to the suppression of truth and the persistent rebellion against God's revealed will. Furthermore, the book of Proverbs warns of the ultimate fate of the wicked in Proverbs 11:21 : "Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape." The certainty of punishment underscores the seriousness of defying God and the inevitable justice that follows. Call to Repentance Despite the grave nature of defiance, Scripture also extends a call to repentance. Ezekiel 18:30 urges, "Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your offenses, so that sin will not be your downfall." This call reflects God's desire for the wicked to turn from their defiance and embrace His mercy and forgiveness. In summary, the defiance of the wicked in committing sin is a central theme in the Bible, illustrating the tension between human rebellion and divine holiness. Through various narratives and teachings, Scripture reveals the nature, characteristics, and consequences of such defiance, while also offering a path to redemption through repentance. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 5:18,19Woe to them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Fifth Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to the Fruits of Faith. Against Rash and Vain Swearing. David's Dying Song Third Sunday after Trinity Humility, Trust, Watchfulness ... The Greatness of the Soul, The Pilgrim's Progress Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon: Resources What does it mean to be a slave to sin? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the sin nature? | GotQuestions.org What is the worst sin? | GotQuestions.org Sin: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Sin in Believers is a Reproach to the Lord Sin is the Transgression of the Law Sin Money: General Scriptures Concerning Sin: Aggravated by Neglecting Advantages Sin: All Men are Conceived and Born In Sin: All the Imaginations of the Unrenewed Heart Are Sin: Blessings Withheld on Account of Sin: Christ Was Manifested to Take Away Sin: Christ's Blood Cleanses From Sin: Christ's Blood Redeems From Sin: Confusion of Face Belongs to Those Guilty of Sin: Consequences of, Entailed Upon Children Sin: Desert of, a Wilderness Between Elim and Sinai: Counted In Sin: Desert of, a Wilderness Between Elim and Sinai: Manna and Quail Given In Sin: Desert of, a Wilderness Between Elim and Sinai: The Complaint for Bread In Sin: Desert of, a Wilderness Between Elim and Sinai: The People of Israel Journey Through Sin: Entered Into the World by Adam Sin: God Has Opened a Fountain For Sin: God is Provoked to Anger By Sin: God is Provoked to Jealousy By Sin: If we Say That we Have No, we Make God a Liar Sin: Ministers should Warn the Wicked to Forsake Sin: No Escape from the Consequences of Sin: No Man Can Cleanse Himself From Sin: Not Counted Against Righteous People Sin: Omission of What we Know to be Good Is Sin: Paul's Discussion of the Responsibility For Sin: Repugnant to Righteous People Sin: Saints: Abhor Themselves on Account of Sin: Saints: Ashamed of Having Committed Sin: Saints: Have Yet the Remains of, in Them Sin: Saints: Profess to Have Ceased From Sin: Scripture Concludes all Under Sin: Shall Find out the Wicked Sin: should be Avoided Even in Appearance Sin: should be Guarded Against Sin: should be Striven Against Sin: should be Wholly Destroyed Sin: Sometimes Open and Manifest Sin: Specially Strive Against Besetting Sin: The Abominable Thing That God Hates Sin: The Fear of God Restrains Sin: The Ground Was Cursed on Account of Sin: The Holy Spirit Convinces of Sin: The Law by Its Strictness Stirs Up Sin: The Law is the Strength of Sin: The Law is Transgressed by Every Sin: The Law: Curses Those Guilty of Sin: The Law: Gives Knowledge of Sin: The Law: Made to Restrain Sin: The Law: Shows Exceeding Sinfulness of Sin: The Thought of Foolishness Is Sin: The Wicked: Cannot Cease From Sin: The Wicked: Defy God in Committing Sin: The Wicked: Delight in Those Who Commit Sin: The Wicked: Encourage Themselves In Sin: The Wicked: Encouraged In, by Prosperity Sin: The Wicked: Expect Impunity In Sin: The Wicked: Guilty of, in Everything They Do Sin: The Wicked: Led by Despair to Continue In Sin: The Wicked: Make a Mock At Sin: The Wicked: Plead Necessity For Sin: The Wicked: Shall Bear the Shame of Sin: The Wicked: Tempt Others To Sin: The Wicked: Throw the Blame of, on God Sin: The Wicked: Throw the Blame of, on Others Sin: The Wicked: Try to Conceal, from God Sin: The Word of God Keeps From Sin: Toil and Sorrow Originated In Sin: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To, Defining and Illustrating Sin: we should Pray to God: To Cleanse Us From Sin: we should Pray to God: To Deliver Us From Sin: we should Pray to God: To Forgive Our Sin: we should Pray to God: To Keep Us From Sin: we should Pray to God: To Make Us Know Our Sin: we should Pray to God: To Search For, in Our Hearts Sin: Whatever is not of Faith Is Sin: when Finished Brings Forth Death Related Terms Sin-offering (115 Occurrences) |
    |