In the context of the Bible, the concept of "declining" can refer to both physical and spiritual deterioration or a turning away from a previously held position of strength or faithfulness. This term can be applied to individuals, nations, or spiritual conditions, often serving as a warning or a call to repentance.

Physical Decline

The Bible acknowledges the natural process of aging and physical decline. In Ecclesiastes 12:1-7, the Preacher poetically describes the waning of physical strength and vitality in old age, urging the reader to "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of adversity come." This passage highlights the inevitability of physical decline and the importance of spiritual preparedness.

Spiritual Decline

Spiritual decline is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, often depicted as a turning away from God and His commandments. In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel frequently experienced cycles of faithfulness followed by decline into idolatry and sin. Judges 2:19 states, "But when the judge died, they would turn back and act more corruptly than their fathers, following other gods to serve them and bow down to them." This pattern of decline serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of forsaking God's ways.

The New Testament also addresses spiritual decline, particularly in the context of the early church. In Revelation 2:4-5, the church in Ephesus is admonished: "But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love. Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you did at first." This passage underscores the importance of maintaining fervent devotion to Christ and the need for repentance when spiritual decline occurs.

Moral and Societal Decline

The Bible also speaks to the decline of moral and societal values. Romans 1:21-32 provides a vivid description of humanity's descent into moral corruption when they reject God. The passage explains that although people knew God, "they did not glorify Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened" (Romans 1:21). This decline leads to a host of sinful behaviors and societal decay.

Restoration from Decline

Despite the reality of decline, the Bible offers hope for restoration. God consistently calls His people to return to Him and promises renewal and healing. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God declares, "If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land." This promise of restoration is a testament to God's mercy and faithfulness, even in the face of decline.

Conclusion

The concept of declining in the Bible serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God, whether physically, spiritually, or morally. It calls believers to remain vigilant in their faith and to seek God's guidance and strength to prevent and recover from decline.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Decline.6203. oreph -- back of the neck, neck
... stiff-necked. From araph; the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the
back generally (whether literal or figurative) -- back ((stiff-)neck((-ed). ...
/hebrew/6203.htm - 6k

Of the Seven Phials; with the Beast and Babylon declining to their ...
... Of the Seven Phials; with the Beast and Babylon declining to their Fall. Of the
Seven Phials; with the Beast and Babylon declining to their Fall. ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/synchronism vii of the seven.htm

As Now the Sun's Declining Rays
... I. DAILY PRAYER: Morning Daily Prayer: Evening 30. As now the sun's declining rays.
CM ... John Chandler, 1837. As now the sun's declining rays. At eventide descend, ...
/.../daily prayer evening 30 as.htm

Whether to Decline from Evil and to do Good are Parts of Justice?
... Now declining from evil is implied in doing good: since no one does evil
and good at the same time. Therefore declining from evil ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether to decline from evil.htm

1 Cor. Ix. 24
... this is the highest perfectness, and that he himself having risen higher than all
towards perfection, or rather having gone beyond it by declining to receive ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxiii 1 cor ix.htm

Letter Xlviii. (AD 398. )
... and if the Church, your Mother, calls you to active service, guard against accepting
it, on the one hand, with too eager elation of spirit, or declining it, on ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xlviii a d 398.htm

Christ's Conversation with the Rich Ruler of the Synagogue (Young ...
... in his own morality, and was most of all lacking in humility; and it was precisely
these defects which Christ suggested to him, by declining for himself the ...
/.../section 226 christs conversation with.htm

The Sin of Omission.
... human and worldly point of view, it is not strange that the young ruler declined
to take it upon his shoulders; though he felt sad in declining, because he had ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/shedd/sermons to the natural man/the sin of omission.htm

Psalm LXXXIII.
... saith: for all enemies, by the working in them of the devil, their prince, "have
holpen the children of Lot," who is explained to mean "one declining." But the ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxiii.htm

Growth in Grace
... This is a sad presage that grace is on the declining hand; and thou art
in a deep consumption. It was a sign that David was near ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/9 growth in grace.htm

The Form of Concord. AD 1577.
... bodily infirmities, and his dissatisfaction with affairs in Wittenberg (which he
threatened to leave permanently in 1544), cast a cloud over his declining years ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 45 the form of.htm

Declining (3 Occurrences)
...Declining (3 Occurrences). Luke 24:29 And they constrained him, saying, Stay
with us, for it is toward evening and the day is declining. ...
/d/declining.htm - 7k

Decorate (5 Occurrences)

/d/decorate.htm - 8k

Testaments
... Jews. Their return to the land of their fathers was marked by the last rays
of the declining sun of prophecy. With Malachi it set. ...
/t/testaments.htm - 35k

Tigris (2 Occurrences)
... The flood season begins early in the month of March, reaching its climax
about May 1, declining to its natural level by midsummer. ...
/t/tigris.htm - 9k

Tikvath (1 Occurrence)
... The flood season begins early in the month of March, reaching its climax
about May 1, declining to its natural level by midsummer. ...
/t/tikvath.htm - 9k

Tikvah (2 Occurrences)
... The flood season begins early in the month of March, reaching its climax
about May 1, declining to its natural level by midsummer. ...
/t/tikvah.htm - 10k

Evening (163 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The latter portion, as of life; the declining period, as of strength or
glory. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EVEN; EVENING; EVENTIDE. ...
/e/evening.htm - 41k

Decline (10 Occurrences)
... noun or an adjective. 9. (vt) To run through from first to last; to repeat
like a schoolboy declining a noun. 10. (n.) A falling ...
/d/decline.htm - 12k

Declineth (4 Occurrences)

/d/declineth.htm - 7k

Between (2624 Occurrences)
... Jews. Their return to the land of their fathers was marked by the last rays
of the declining sun of prophecy. With Malachi it set. ...
/b/between.htm - 36k

Who was Abishag in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Does a Christian have to attend every service a church has? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Egypt in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Declining: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus