Topical Bible: Seeking God: The Wicked are Gone out of the Way of

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical narrative, the concept of seeking God is a central theme that underscores the relationship between humanity and the divine. The Scriptures consistently present seeking God as a righteous pursuit, contrasting it with the path of the wicked, who have strayed from God's ways. This entry explores the biblical understanding of seeking God and the consequences for those who have turned away.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible frequently exhorts believers to seek God with all their heart, soul, and mind. In Deuteronomy 4:29, Moses instructs the Israelites, "But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul." This call to seek God is not merely a suggestion but a command that promises divine presence and guidance to those who earnestly pursue Him.

The Path of the Wicked

In contrast to those who seek God, the wicked are described as having gone out of the way. Proverbs 2:13-15 speaks of those "who leave the straight paths to walk in the ways of darkness, who delight in doing evil and rejoice in the perversity of evil, whose paths are crooked and whose ways are devious." The wicked, by their actions and choices, have deviated from the path of righteousness and have chosen a life that is contrary to God's will.

Consequences of Turning Away

The Bible is clear about the consequences for those who have turned away from seeking God. In Romans 3:10-12 , Paul quotes the Psalms, saying, "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away; they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." This passage highlights the universal nature of sin and the inherent tendency of humanity to stray from God.

The wicked, having turned away, are often depicted as experiencing spiritual blindness and separation from God. Isaiah 59:2 states, "But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear." This separation is not only a present reality but also carries eternal implications, as seen in the warnings of judgment throughout Scripture.

The Call to Repentance

Despite the grim portrayal of the wicked, the Bible offers hope through repentance and the possibility of restoration. In Ezekiel 18:23 , God declares, "Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn't I prefer he turn from his ways and live?" This divine invitation to return to God underscores His desire for all to seek Him and find life.

The New Testament continues this theme, with Jesus Himself calling sinners to repentance. In Luke 5:32 , Jesus states, "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." This call is an invitation to leave the path of wickedness and to seek God wholeheartedly.

Conclusion

The biblical narrative presents a stark contrast between those who seek God and the wicked who have gone out of the way. While the path of the wicked leads to separation from God, the call to seek Him remains open to all, offering the promise of forgiveness and restoration to those who turn back to Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 14:2,3
The LORD looked down from heaven on the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 3:11,12
There is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. "
... ignorant of the right way of returning into favour with God, seeking out to ourselves ...
pointed out unto us; yea, we are enemies to God by wicked works, and ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter iii how christ is.htm

John Chapter xiii. 31-32.
... till the very end of all seeking shall be ... the foreshadowing of His glorification,
when the wicked shall be ... of man glorified," He added, "and God is glorified ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lxiii john chapter xiii.htm

They Indeed who Say that Baptism is not to be Repeated...
... Or if they had already gone out, how can he say ... They, therefore, who are wicked,
evildoers, carnal, fleshly, devilish ... to the way of peace, to seeking God in all ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 19 25 they.htm

Sovereign Grace and Man's Responsibility
... the Gentiles." Is not that sovereignty"sovereign grace, without any previous seeking? ...
world can never excuse you for being enemies to God by wicked works. ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/sovereign grace and mans responsibility.htm

The Way to God
... They would prefer to be numbered with those who are seeking God. ... oath""As I live,
saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the way to god.htm

Evans -- the Fall and Recovery of Man
... and relics, praying to departed saints, seeking absolution from ... is condemned already."
"The wrath of God abideth on ... to do them." "Wo unto the wicked; it shall ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/evans the fall and.htm

For whom did Christ Die?
... for men, he viewed them as ungodly, and far from God by wicked works ... there I see
spirits of nobler mould, pure, truthful, truth-seeking, brave, disinterested ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/for whom did christ die.htm

The Necessity of Diligently Seeking the Saints' Rest.
... And should we not be serious in seeking our own ... How much more should the warnings
of God affright you ... seat, and the books opened, and the wicked stand trembling ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter vii the necessity of.htm

Elijah the Tishbite
... Like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, the message of impending judgment fell upon
the ears of the wicked king; but before Ahab could ... God was seeking to free ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 9 elijah the tishbite.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xx. 30, About the Two Blind Men ...
... repress the crying of those who were seeking for recovery ... for however mean a vessel
I am, God maketh use ... what appertaineth to the rebuking of the wicked, as far ...
/.../sermon xxxviii on the words.htm