Defiance, in a biblical context, refers to a willful and rebellious attitude against God, His commandments, or His appointed authorities. It is characterized by a deliberate choice to resist or challenge divine authority and order. Throughout Scripture, defiance is depicted as a serious sin that leads to spiritual and often physical consequences.

Old Testament Instances

One of the earliest examples of defiance is found in the account of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Their decision to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, despite God's clear command, represents humanity's first act of defiance (Genesis 3:1-6). This act resulted in the fall of man and the introduction of sin into the world.

The account of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11:1-9 illustrates collective defiance. Humanity's attempt to build a tower reaching the heavens was an act of pride and rebellion against God's command to "fill the earth" (Genesis 9:1). In response, God confused their language and scattered them across the earth.

Another significant example is the defiance of Pharaoh during the Exodus. Despite witnessing numerous miracles and plagues, Pharaoh repeatedly hardened his heart against God's command to let the Israelites go (Exodus 7-11). His defiance ultimately led to the destruction of Egypt's firstborn and the liberation of the Israelites.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, defiance is addressed through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus often confronted the defiance of the Pharisees and religious leaders who resisted His message and authority. In Matthew 23, Jesus pronounces woes upon the scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy and stubbornness.

The apostle Paul warns against defiance in his letters. In Romans 13:1-2, he instructs believers to submit to governing authorities, stating, "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves."

Consequences of Defiance

The Bible consistently portrays defiance as leading to negative consequences. In the Old Testament, the Israelites' repeated defiance resulted in their exile and suffering. In the New Testament, defiance against God's will is associated with spiritual death and separation from God.

Hebrews 3:12-13 warns believers against a hardened heart: "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God. But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness."

Call to Obedience

Scripture calls believers to a life of obedience and submission to God's will. James 4:7 encourages, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." This submission is not merely external compliance but a heartfelt alignment with God's purposes.

The Bible presents defiance as a serious spiritual issue that requires repentance and a return to obedience. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are called to overcome defiance and live in accordance with God's will, reflecting His character and glory in their lives.1. (n.) The act of defying, putting in opposition, or provoking to combat; a challenge; a provocation; a summons to combat.

2. (n.) A state of opposition; willingness to flight; disposition to resist; contempt of opposition.

3. (n.) A casting aside; renunciation; rejection.

3892. paranomia -- lawbreaking
... justice. 3892 ("transgression") emphasizes the deliberate defiance with
sinning against the Lord (used only in 2 Pet 2:16). Word ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3892.htm - 6k7814. sechoq -- laughter, derision, sport
... Or schoq {sekh-oke'}; from sachaq; laughter (in merriment or defiance) -- derision,
laughter(-ed to scorn, -ing), mocked, sport. see HEBREW sachaq. ...
/hebrew/7814.htm - 6k

6440. panim -- face, faces
... before the in front (1), before* (137), condition (1), confront* (1), corresponding*
(2), countenance (12), covering* (1), defer* (1), defiance* (1), direction ...
/hebrew/6440.htm - 8k

5921. al -- upon, above, over
... 1), connection (1), conquer* (1), consider* (3), considered* (2), contrary (1),
corresponding (2), corresponding* (1), crowns (1), defiance* (1), despite (1 ...
/hebrew/5921.htm - 8k

Thou Shalt not Steal.
... But here you [while conscious of such a great theft] may even bid defiance
and become insolent, and no one dare call you a thief. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/thou shalt not steal.htm

Jeroboam
... 32. The king's bold defiance of God in thus setting aside divinely appointed
institutions was not allowed to pass unrebuked. Even ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 7 jeroboam.htm

"In the Volume of the Book it is Written of Me" (Heb. . .
... Chief" and "Chieftain." Fourth, it is also added, "Nimrod the mighty hunter before
the Lord" which means that he pushed his designs in brazen defiance of his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in the volume of the.htm

Guelf and Ghibelline. (I)
... for a nominee of his own who was already a bishop, and therefore ineligible, and
by virtue of the Concordat he decided for his own candidate in defiance of all ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter viii guelf and ghibelline.htm

Ninth Sunday after Trinity Carnal Security and Its vices.
... bragged, "the holiness of this entire congregation, among whom God dwells, daily
performing his marvelous wonders?" In their pride and defiance they became ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/ninth sunday after trinity carnal.htm

Acts IV
... (20) For we can not but speak the things which we have seen and heard." This was
an open defiance of their power, with a direct appeal to their own consciences ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts iv.htm

Manuscript Testimony Shewn to be Overwhelmingly in Favour of These ...
... B and ',"not unfrequently in defiance of the evidence of all other MSS., and sometimes
to the serious detriment of the deposit,"would admit of striking ...
/.../chapter vi manuscript testimony shewn.htm

Significant Phrases
... despatch and resolution. desperation and defiance. despise and satirize. ... excusable
and justifiable. execration and defiance [execration = curse]. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section ii significant phrases.htm

On Grieving the Holy Spirit
... And thus every sin we now commit is done in despite of all his powerful assistances,
in defiance of his reproofs, " an ungrateful return for infinite ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 138 on grieving the.htm

Chapter xi
... in the word which represents the climax of their endeavours: "lest we be scattered
abroad upon the face of the whole earth." This word breathes defiance of God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xi.htm

Defiance (9 Occurrences)
... of opposition. 3. (n.) A casting aside; renunciation; rejection. Multi-Version
Concordance Defiance (9 Occurrences). Acts 17:7 Jason ...
/d/defiance.htm - 9k

Despite (18 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (prep.) In spite of; notwithstanding; against,
or in defiance of; as, despite his prejudices. 2. (n ...
/d/despite.htm - 13k

Brave (15 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) A challenge; a defiance; bravado. 8. (vt) To encounter with courage
and fortitude; to set at defiance; to defy; to dare. ...
/b/brave.htm - 11k

Crow (9 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To make the shrill sound characteristic of a cock, either in joy, gayety,
or defiance. 2. (vi) To shout in exultation or defiance; to brag. ...
/c/crow.htm - 9k

Nahum (3 Occurrences)
... It was strongly fortified on every side, bidding defiance to every enemy; yet it
was to be utterly destroyed as a punishment for the great wickedness of its ...
/n/nahum.htm - 21k

Overthrow (48 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 10:5 For we overthrow arrogant 'reckonings,' and every stronghold
that towers high in defiance of the knowledge of God, and we carry off every ...
/o/overthrow.htm - 21k

Judith (1 Occurrence)
... conquered his rival, annexing his territory, and then sent his general Holofernes
to subdue the western nations and to punish them for their defiance of his ...
/j/judith.htm - 27k

Jeroboam (96 Occurrences)
... Attempting to arrest the prophet for his bold words of defiance, his hand was
"dried up," and the altar before which he stood was rent asunder. ...
/j/jeroboam.htm - 62k

Laughter (14 Occurrences)
... 48:26, 27, 39; Lamentations 3:14, "derision." (2) Sachaq is used (except Job
29:24 Ecclesiastes 3:4) in the sense of the laughter of defiance, or derision (Job ...
/l/laughter.htm - 13k

Lamech (11 Occurrences)
... While the one is stimulated to a song of defiance by the worldly inventions of his
sons, the other, in prophetical mood, expresses his sure belief in the ...
/l/lamech.htm - 12k

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Defiance: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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