Defiance

Open refusal to obey any authority. Defiance is seen in the Bible as evil when authority is legitimate but good when authority is ungodly.

Defiance of God is condemned

Jeremiah 50:29 See also 1 Kings 13:21–22, 1 Kings 13:26; Psalm 139:19–22; Isaiah 3:8, Isaiah 65:7; Jeremiah 48:26, Jeremiah 48:42

Summon the archers against Babylon, all who string the bow. Encamp all around her; let no one escape. Repay her according to her deeds; do to her as she has done. For she has defied the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.

To defy God's people is to defy God

1 Samuel 17:10, 1 Samuel 17:23, 1 Samuel 17:25–26, 1 Samuel 17:36, 1 Samuel 17:45

Defiance of legitimate authority

Romans 13:2 See also Numbers 15:30; 1 Peter 2:13

Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Defiance of ungodly authority

Daniel 3:28 See also Daniel 6:13; Acts 4:19, Acts 5:29, Acts 17:7; Revelation 20:4

Nebuchadnezzar declared, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him. They violated the king’s command and risked their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.