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
Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
Mocking God and/or his people
2 Peter 3:3–4 See also Psalm 35:15–16; Acts 13:40–41; Habakkuk 1:5
Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. “Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.”
Evil behaviour
Isaiah 32:6–7 See also Proverbs 11:9; Jonah 1:1–2; 1 Timothy 1:9–11
For a fool speaks foolishness; his mind plots iniquity. He practices ungodliness and speaks falsely about the LORD; he leaves the hungry empty and deprives the thirsty of drink. The weapons of the scoundrel are destructive; he hatches plots to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just.
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; Jeremiah 23:11–12, Jeremiah 23:15–17; 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
If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
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 1:14–15
And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
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
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
By putting no confidence in ungodly people
1 Corinthians 6:1 See also Psalm 1:1; Jude 1:3–4, Jude 1:17–19
If any of you has a grievance against another, how dare he go to law before the unrighteous instead of before the saints!
By avoiding ungodly teaching and behaviour
2 Timothy 2:16 See also 1 Timothy 4:7, 1 Timothy 6:20–21
But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.