Thanksgiving, a central theme in the Bible, is often depicted as a natural response of the righteous to God's goodness and mercy. However, the Scriptures also highlight the aversion of the wicked to thanksgiving, illustrating a stark contrast between those who acknowledge God's sovereignty and those who reject it.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible frequently associates thanksgiving with righteousness and godliness. In the Psalms, thanksgiving is a recurring theme, as the psalmists express gratitude for God's deliverance, provision, and steadfast love. Psalm 100:4 exhorts believers to "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and bless His name." This verse underscores the importance of thanksgiving as an integral part of worship and relationship with God.

The Wicked's Aversion

In contrast, the wicked are often portrayed as ungrateful and self-centered, failing to recognize or acknowledge God's hand in their lives. Romans 1:21 provides a clear depiction of this aversion: "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts." This passage highlights the spiritual blindness and pride that prevent the wicked from offering thanks to God.

Consequences of Ingratitude

The Bible warns of the consequences of ingratitude and the refusal to acknowledge God. In 2 Timothy 3:1-2 , Paul describes the characteristics of people in the last days, noting that they will be "lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy." Here, ingratitude is listed among other sinful behaviors, indicating its seriousness and the moral decay it represents.

Examples of Ingratitude

Several biblical narratives illustrate the aversion of the wicked to thanksgiving. In the account of the ten lepers healed by Jesus in Luke 17:11-19, only one, a Samaritan, returns to give thanks. Jesus' response in verse 17 is telling: "Were not all ten cleansed? Where then are the other nine?" This account highlights the common human tendency to overlook gratitude, especially among those who do not recognize Jesus' divine authority.

The Call to Thanksgiving

Despite the wicked's aversion, the Bible consistently calls all people to a posture of thanksgiving. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 instructs believers to "give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." This command serves as a reminder that thanksgiving is not merely a response to favorable conditions but a continual acknowledgment of God's presence and provision.

Conclusion

The aversion of the wicked to thanksgiving is a recurring theme in Scripture, serving as a warning and a call to self-examination. The Bible encourages believers to cultivate a heart of gratitude, recognizing it as a mark of true faith and devotion to God.Romans 1:21
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Article xxvii (xiii): of Monastic Vows.
... observances [monasticism rosaries, etc.], averse to the ... use these observances without
wicked opinions [without ... God, every offering, all thanksgiving in heaven ...
/.../the apology of the augsburg confession/part 35 article xxvii xiii .htm

Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the ...
... to be rejected that is received with thanksgiving" (1:Tim.4 ... doors, as though declaring
that they were averse to the ... of this was that "to God the wicked and his ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be any 2.htm

Concerning Balaam the Prophet and what Kind of Man He Was.
... offered for a few days sacrifices of thanksgiving to God ... we are departing, we are
not averse to your ... who, instead of hindering them from such wicked actions, as ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 concerning balaam the.htm

The Priesthood of Christ
... apart to the pastoral office from being averse to public ... and we place its proper
action in thanksgiving and intreaty ... By this wicked deed he both lost all right ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/oration iv the priesthood of.htm

From the Commencement of the Revolution in 1776, to Its ...
... than he brought a magistrate, more wicked the himself ... and many of the members, though
much averse to war ... October were appointed as days of thanksgiving "for our ...
/.../chapter 2 from the commencement.htm

Rom. vii. 14
... still the Son is the cause of this thanksgiving. ... cannot be subject to God, but, wicked
doing cannot ... dog at everybody, and hating everybody, averse to everybody ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xiii rom vii 14.htm

Preface by the Editor.
... will of God against the godless and wicked proceedings of ... that we should keep days
of thanksgiving for their ... presbytery, knew him to be decidedly averse to the ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/preface by the editor.htm

Concerning Worship.
... groans end with a sweet sound of thanksgiving and praise ... both the ploughing and praying
of the wicked is [844 ... sins, or worldly lusts, but rather averse from them ...
/.../proposition xi concerning worship.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1828 to the Beginning ...
... His comment upon the passage is thus: Jude means that those wicked people had ... table
and the sailor's grog, and the voice of prayer and thanksgiving has been ...
/.../chapter 10 from the close.htm

Letter Lxxv. (AD 404. )
... to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked: and take ... God has created to be used
with thanksgiving, and on ... If any one is averse to reading it, none compels him ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter lxxv a d 404.htm

What should be the focus of Christians on Thanksgiving? | GotQuestions.org

Why doesn't the Lord's Prayer include thanksgiving? shouldn't all our prayers include expressions of thankfulness? | GotQuestions.org

What are the different types of prayer? | GotQuestions.org

Thanksgiving: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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