Dictionary of Bible Themes: 8846 ungodliness

8846 ungodliness

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8700 Threats to the life of faith » 8846 ungodliness

The state of believing in God, while adopting a lifestyle which seems to deny this. Believers are warned to guard against ungodliness.

Expressions of ungodliness

A defiant spirit towards God

Matthew 7:6 Jesus Christ is teaching his disciples not to share the riches of spiritual truth with persons who are persistently unappreciative, vicious and defiant. See also Job 36:8-13; Psalm 73:8-11

Mocking God and/or his people

2 Peter 3:3-4 See also Psalm 35:15-16; Acts 13:40-41; Habakkuk 1:5

Evil behaviour

Isaiah 32:6-7 See also Proverbs 11:9; Jonah 1:1-2; 1 Timothy 1:9-11

Examples of ungodliness

2 Chronicles 36:15-16 the southern kingdom of Judah; Psalm 52:1-3 Doeg the Edomite; Isaiah 9:13-17 the northern kingdom of Israel

Judah's religious leaders:

Jeremiah 23:11-12,15-17

Christians before conversion:

1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Ephesians 2:1-3 2 Timothy 3:1-5 people in general during the last days (the time between the first and second comings of Jesus Christ); Hebrews 12:16 Esau

God will judge the ungodly

In this life

Proverbs 11:31 See also Proverbs 1:28-33; Proverbs 3:33-34; Isaiah 10:5-7; Isaiah 33:14; Romans 1:18

At the final judgment

2 Peter 3:7 See also Job 27:8; Proverbs 3:34; 1 Peter 4:18; 2 Peter 2:4-10; Jude 14-15

Jesus Christ died for the ungodly

Romans 5:6-8; Romans 11:26; Isaiah 59:20

God's people must guard against ungodliness

By relying upon God's grace

Titus 2:11-12

By putting no confidence in ungodly people

1 Corinthians 6:1 See also Psalm 1:1; Jude 3-4,17-19

By avoiding ungodly teaching and behaviour

2 Timothy 2:16 See also 1 Timothy 4:7; Timothy 6:20-21