The term "consumes" in the Bible often refers to the act of devouring, destroying, or using up completely. It is used in various contexts, both literal and metaphorical, to describe the actions of God, the effects of sin, and the nature of divine judgment.

Divine Judgment and Wrath

One of the primary uses of "consumes" in the Bible is in the context of God's judgment and wrath. The consuming fire is a powerful image used to describe God's holiness and His response to sin. In Deuteronomy 4:24, it is written, "For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." This verse highlights the intensity of God's holiness and His intolerance of idolatry and sin among His people.

Similarly, in Hebrews 12:29, the author reiterates this concept by stating, "For our God is a consuming fire." This serves as a warning to believers to live in reverence and awe of God's holiness, recognizing His power to purify and judge.

The Consequences of Sin

The Bible also uses the term "consumes" to describe the destructive nature of sin. In Psalm 37:20, it is written, "But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the LORD will be like the glory of the fields. They will vanish—like smoke they will vanish away." Here, the psalmist illustrates how sin leads to destruction, consuming the wicked as smoke dissipates into the air.

Proverbs 6:27-28 uses the imagery of fire to describe the consequences of adultery: "Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?" These verses emphasize that engaging in sinful behavior inevitably leads to being consumed by its consequences.

God's Purifying Presence

While the consuming fire of God is often associated with judgment, it also represents purification and refinement. In Malachi 3:2-3, the prophet speaks of the coming of the Lord: "But who can endure the day of His coming? Who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver." This passage highlights the dual nature of God's consuming presence, which both judges and purifies.

The Devouring Nature of Evil

The Bible also uses the concept of consuming to describe the nature of evil and its impact on individuals and nations. In 1 Peter 5:8, believers are warned, "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." This vivid imagery underscores the destructive intent of Satan, who seeks to consume and destroy the faith and lives of believers.

Conclusion

The term "consumes" in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the holiness and justice of God, the destructive nature of sin, and the purifying work of divine judgment. It calls believers to live in reverence of God, aware of the consequences of sin, and the refining power of His presence.398. akal -- to eat
... root Definition to eat NASB Word Usage ate (76), certainly have eaten (1), certainly
not eat (1), consume (30), consumed (30), consumes (9), consuming (9 ...
/hebrew/398.htm - 6k

After the Preceding Ways, There Remains an after Way, Preparatory ...
... Fire consumes all things, and nothing resists its activity. It is the same
with Wisdom; it consumes all impurity in the creature ...
/.../chapter xix after the preceding.htm

Commandment Twelfth. On the Twofold Desire. The Commandments of ...
... For wicked desire is wild, and is with difficulty tamed. For it is terrible,
and consumes men exceedingly by its wildness. Especially ...
/.../the pastor books first second third/commandment twelfth on the twofold.htm

John's Explanation of his Relation to the Messiah. The Baptism By
... judgments. The "sifting" by fire ever goes along with the advance of the Spirit,
and consumes all who will not appropriate the latter. ...
/.../section 39 johns explanation of.htm

Whether There is a vice Opposed to Meanness?
... This vice is called in Greek {banausia}, so called from the Greek {baunos},
because, like the fire in the furnace, it consumes everything. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there is a vice.htm

Whether the Effect of Sorrow or Pain is to Burden the Soul?
... Objection 3: Further, sorrow consumes those who are inflicted therewith, as may
be gathered from the words of the Apostle (2:Cor.2:7): "Lest perhaps such an ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the effect of sorrow.htm

Philippians iii. 18-21
... For when one consumes his whole life in drinking and reveling, and expends some
small trifle on the poor, whilst he consumes the larger portion on his belly ...
/.../homily xiii philippians iii 18-21.htm

Of Hell
... 5. But others aver, "It is not possible that fire should burn always. For by the
immutable law of nature, it consumes whatever is thrown into it. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 73 of hell.htm

Letter i. --Aridity and Weakness.
... When you throw a very dry piece of wood that will burn easily, on the fire, the
flame seizes it at once and consumes it quietly and noiselessly; but if you ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter i aridity and weakness.htm

On the Holy Eucharist
... After more prayers the priest takes and consumes, that is, swallows, the
sacred Host and drinks the precious blood from the chalice. ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 22 on the holy.htm

In one of the Few Remaining Streets of Rome which the Vandal Hand ...
... impossibility! She has no idea of the stronger sentiment of love which
strikes the heart like a lightning flash and consumes it. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/xvii in one of the.htm

Consumes (21 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Consumes (21 Occurrences). Matthew ... you. You send forth
your wrath. It consumes them as stubble. (WEB NAS RSV). ...
/c/consumes.htm - 11k

Consumeth (37 Occurrences)

/c/consumeth.htm - 17k

Unleashed (1 Occurrence)
... Exodus 15:7 In the greatness of your excellency, you overthrow those who rise up
against you. You send forth your wrath. It consumes them as stubble. (See NIV). ...
/u/unleashed.htm - 6k

Uproot (17 Occurrences)
... (Root in BBE NAS NIV). Job 31:12 For it is a fire that consumes to destruction,
and would root out all my increase. (See NAS NIV). ...
/u/uproot.htm - 11k

Uprooted (29 Occurrences)
... uprooted. (BBE NAS NIV). Job 31:12 For it is a fire that consumes to destruction,
and would root out all my increase. (See NIV). Psalms ...
/u/uprooted.htm - 15k

Opposed (23 Occurrences)
... Exodus 15:7 In the greatness of your excellency, you overthrow those who rise up
against you. You send forth your wrath. It consumes them as stubble. (See NIV). ...
/o/opposed.htm - 13k

Overthrow (48 Occurrences)
... rise up against you. You send forth your wrath. It consumes them as stubble.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV). Exodus 23:24 You ...
/o/overthrow.htm - 21k

Waster (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One who, or that which, wastes; one who squanders;
one who consumes or expends extravagantly; a spendthrift; a prodigal. ...
/w/waster.htm - 8k

Insults (34 Occurrences)
... They shake their heads, saying, (See NIV). Psalms 69:9 For the zeal of your house
consumes me. The reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me. ...
/i/insults.htm - 15k

Reproaches (19 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Psalms 69:9 For the zeal of your house consumes me. The reproaches of
those who reproach you have fallen on me. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS). ...
/r/reproaches.htm - 11k

What does it mean that God is a consuming fire? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that “zeal for your house will consume me” in John 2:17? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about overthinking? | GotQuestions.org

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