The term "perverted" in the Bible often refers to a deviation from what is considered morally right or the corruption of what is intended to be pure and holy. It is used to describe actions, thoughts, or behaviors that are twisted from their original, God-given purpose. The concept of perversion is closely tied to sin and the fallen nature of humanity, which distorts God's perfect design.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "perverted" is "עִקֵּשׁ" (iqqesh), which means twisted or crooked. This term is frequently used to describe moral and ethical corruption. For example, in Proverbs 2:12-15 , wisdom is said to save one from "the way of evil, from those who speak perversity, from those who leave the straight paths to walk in the ways of darkness, from those who enjoy doing evil and rejoice in the twistedness of evil, whose paths are crooked and whose ways are devious."

The concept of perversion is also evident in the laws given to Israel, where God commands His people to avoid practices that are considered abominable or contrary to His statutes. Leviticus 18 outlines various sexual practices that are deemed perverse, emphasizing the importance of maintaining purity and holiness.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the Greek word "διαστρέφω" (diastrephō) is often used, meaning to distort or turn aside. This term is used in Acts 13:10 , where Paul addresses Elymas the sorcerer, saying, "You son of the devil, enemy of all righteousness, full of deceit and fraud, will you not stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord?"

The New Testament continues to emphasize the dangers of perversion, particularly in the context of false teachings and moral decay. Romans 1:26-27 speaks of God giving people over to "dishonorable passions," describing behaviors that are contrary to nature and God's design.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

From a biblical perspective, perversion is not limited to sexual immorality but encompasses any deviation from God's truth and righteousness. It is seen as a symptom of humanity's rebellion against God, resulting in spiritual blindness and moral confusion. The Bible calls believers to live in accordance with God's will, avoiding the perversions of the world and seeking holiness.

The call to avoid perversion is also a call to discernment, as believers are urged to test all things and hold fast to what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). This involves recognizing and rejecting false teachings, as well as living lives that reflect the purity and integrity of Christ.

Redemption and Restoration

Despite the prevalence of perversion in the world, the Bible offers hope for redemption and restoration through Jesus Christ. Those who turn to Him in repentance and faith are promised forgiveness and a new nature, empowered by the Holy Spirit to live in righteousness. Ephesians 4:22-24 encourages believers to "put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

In summary, the biblical concept of perversion highlights the seriousness of sin and the need for divine intervention to restore humanity to its intended purpose. Through Christ, believers are called to reject perversion and embrace a life of holiness and truth.(imp. & p. p.) of Pervert.1294. diastrepho -- to distort, fig. misinterpret, corrupt
... misinterpret, corrupt NASB Word Usage make crooked (1), misleading (1), perverse
(1), perverse things (1), perverted (2), turn...away (1). pervert, currupt. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1294.htm - 7k

1612. ekstrepho -- to turn inside out, fig. to pervert
... 11). Word Origin from ek and strepho Definition to turn inside out, fig.
to pervert NASB Word Usage perverted (1). subvert. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1612.htm - 7k

3154. mataioo -- to make vain, foolish
... of Speech: Verb Transliteration: mataioo Phonetic Spelling: (mat-ah-yo'-o) Short
Definition: I become vain Definition: I become vain or foolish, am perverted. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3154.htm - 6k

4297. mutteh -- that which is perverted, perverted justice
... 4296, 4297. mutteh. 4298 . that which is perverted, perverted justice.
Transliteration: mutteh Phonetic Spelling: (moot-teh') Short Definition: perversion. ...
/hebrew/4297.htm - 6k

6141. iqqesh -- twisted, perverted
... 6140, 6141. iqqesh. 6142 . twisted, perverted. Transliteration: iqqesh
Phonetic Spelling: (ik-kashe') Short Definition: perverse. ...
/hebrew/6141.htm - 6k

6127. aqal -- to bend, twist
... to bend, twist. Transliteration: aqal Phonetic Spelling: (aw-kal') Short Definition:
perverted. ... root Definition to bend, twist NASB Word Usage perverted (1). ...
/hebrew/6127.htm - 5k

8419. tahpukah -- perversity, perverse thing
... Word Origin from haphak Definition perversity, perverse thing NASB Word Usage perverse
(2), perverse things (3), perversity (2), perverted (2), what is ...
/hebrew/8419.htm - 6k

5753a. avah -- to bend, twist
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to bend, twist NASB Word Usage bent (1), bewildered
(1), distorts (1), made my crooked (1), perverse (2), perverted (2). ...
/hebrew/5753a.htm - 5k

2015. haphak -- to turn, overturn
... give (1), had a change (1), inundate (1), overthrew (5), overthrow (5), overthrown
(3), overthrows (1), overturned (1), overturns (2), perverted (2), reined ...
/hebrew/2015.htm - 6k

5186. natah -- to stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend
... 7), intended (1), leaning (1), lengthen (1), lengthened (1), lengthens (1), let
down (1), offer (1), outstretched (17), pervert (4), perverted (1), pitch (1 ...
/hebrew/5186.htm - 7k

The Heathen Perverted Judgment in the Trial of Christians
... Book I. Chapter II. "The Heathen Perverted Judgment in the Trial of Christians.
They Would Be More Consistent If They Dispensed with All Form of Trial. ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter ii name heathen perverted.htm

Of Another Kind of Perverted Men
... THE SECOND BOOK CHAPTER LXVII. OF ANOTHER KIND OF PERVERTED MEN. Now we find
yet another kind of perverted men, who are in some points ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter lxvii of another kind.htm

Of the Presbyter Anastasius, by whom the Faith of Nestorius was ...
... Book VII. Chapter XXXII."Of the Presbyter Anastasius, by whom the Faith
of Nestorius was perverted. Nestorius had an associate ...
/.../chapter xxxii of the presbyter anastasius.htm

A Colloquy Between a Penitent and God
... 'A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children
of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/a colloquy between a penitent.htm

The Regenerating Work of the Holy Spirit.
... of a new nature, God's own nature to the one who is born again (2 Peter 1:4). Every
human being is born into this world with a perverted nature; his whole ...
/.../the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter ix the regenerating work.htm

Though in Order to Establish this Suitable Difference Between the ...
... have arisen,) the condition of men in this present state is such, that the natural
order of things in this world is an event manifestly perverted, and virtue ...
/.../iv proposition iv though in.htm

"Give Ye them to Eat"
... Christ taught them in this lesson that the natural provisions of God for
man had been perverted. And never did people enjoy the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 39 give ye them.htm

That Even the Fierceness of War and all the Disquietude of Men ...
... He, then, who prefers what is right to what is wrong, and what is well-ordered to
what is perverted, sees that the peace of unjust men is not worthy to be ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 12 that even the fierceness.htm

To Monna Agnese who was the Wife of Messer Orso Malavolti
... deprives the soul of God; it begins by knowing a foretaste of hell, and later it
brings men to eternal damnation: for in hell the evil perverted will burns ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to monna agnese who was.htm

Spiritual Blindness.
... influences. It is because our souls are so receptive, so imitative, and in
consequence so easily perverted, darkened, blinded, or misled. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/percival/sermons at rugby/xvi spiritual blindness.htm

Perverted (26 Occurrences)
...Perverted (26 Occurrences). Matthew 17:17 And Jesus answering said, O unbelieving
and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? ...
/p/perverted.htm - 13k

Pervert (18 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To become perverted; to take the wrong course. 4. (n.) One who has
been perverted; one who has turned to error, especially ...
/p/pervert.htm - 12k

Upheld (15 Occurrences)
... Habakkuk 1:4 Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth; for the
wicked surround the righteous; therefore justice goes forth perverted. ...
/u/upheld.htm - 10k

Uprightness (46 Occurrences)
... Job 33:27 He looketh on men, and saith, 'I sinned, And uprightness I have
perverted, And it hath not been profitable to me. (YLT). ...
/u/uprightness.htm - 19k

Lucre (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 8:3 His sons didn't walk in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and
took bribes, and perverted justice. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/l/lucre.htm - 9k

Lasciviousness (9 Occurrences)
... in the lusts of the flesh." Jude 1:4 probably does not refer to any form of sensuality
in using the word descriptive of "ungodly men" who perverted the faith ...
/l/lasciviousness.htm - 11k

Warped (3 Occurrences)
... & pp) of Warp. Multi-Version Concordance Warped (3 Occurrences). Titus 3:11 knowing
that such a one is perverted, and sins, being self-condemned. (See NIV). ...
/w/warped.htm - 7k

Ignored (6 Occurrences)
... Habakkuk 1:4 Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth; for the
wicked surround the righteous; therefore justice goes forth perverted. ...
/i/ignored.htm - 8k

Fever (13 Occurrences)
... disease of the liver. On this account Hippocrates describes all fevers as
due to a perverted secretion of bile. These fevers begin ...
/f/fever.htm - 17k

Twisted (79 Occurrences)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Twist. 2. (a.) Contorted; crooked spirally; subjected to torsion;
hence, perverted. Multi-Version Concordance Twisted (79 Occurrences). ...
/t/twisted.htm - 28k

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