Undesirable
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In the context of the Bible, the term "undesirable" can refer to people, actions, or things that are not in alignment with God's will or are considered unworthy or unclean according to biblical standards. The concept of being undesirable is often associated with sin, impurity, or rebellion against God.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Israelites were given specific laws and commandments to distinguish between what was desirable and undesirable in the eyes of God. For example, certain foods were deemed unclean and thus undesirable for consumption (Leviticus 11). The Israelites were also instructed to avoid undesirable practices such as idolatry and immorality, which were prevalent among the surrounding nations (Deuteronomy 18:9-14).

The prophets frequently spoke against undesirable behaviors and attitudes. In Isaiah 1:13-14 , God expresses His disdain for the empty rituals and sacrifices of the people, which had become undesirable due to their insincerity and disobedience: "Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of undesirable is often linked to the sinful nature and the works of the flesh. The Apostle Paul lists undesirable behaviors in Galatians 5:19-21 : "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Jesus Himself addressed the issue of undesirable attitudes and actions, emphasizing the importance of inner purity over outward appearances. In Matthew 15:18-20 , He states, "But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander. These are what defile a man, but eating with unwashed hands does not defile him."

Spiritual Implications

From a spiritual perspective, being undesirable is often associated with a state of separation from God. Sin creates a barrier between humanity and the divine, making individuals undesirable in their natural state. However, the message of the Gospel is one of redemption and transformation. Through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are cleansed and made desirable in the sight of God. As stated in 1 Corinthians 6:11 , "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."

Practical Application

Believers are called to live lives that are pleasing and desirable to God, avoiding the undesirable works of the flesh and instead bearing the fruit of the Spirit. In Philippians 4:8 , Paul encourages believers to focus on what is desirable: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things."

In summary, the concept of "undesirable" in the Bible serves as a reminder of the call to holiness and the transformative power of God's grace, which enables believers to live lives that are pleasing to Him.
Greek
2508. kathairo -- to cleanse
... Cognate: 2508 -- make clean by (removing undesirable elements); hence, "pruned
(purged)"; eliminating what is fruitless by purifying (making ). See 2513 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2508.htm - 6k

2512. katharismos -- a cleansing
... Cognate: 2512 (a noun derived from 2511 , "to purge") -- , which results from
removing undesirable admixtures (eliminating impurities). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2512.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew
369. ayin -- nothing, nought
... no (9), there will be no one (3), there will be none (5), there will be nothing
(1), there no (6), there none (1), there one (1), undesirable* (2), unfathomable ...
/hebrew/369.htm - 7k

2656. chephets -- delight, pleasure
... things (1), desire (10), desired (2), event (1), good pleasure (3), matter (1),
pleased (1), pleasure (3), precious (1), sight (1), undesirable* (2), what you ...
/hebrew/2656.htm - 6k

Library

Practical Hints for Speakers
... Undesirable qualities are the diffuse, verbose, redundant, inflated, prolix, ambiguous,
feeble, monotonous, loose, slip-shod, dry, flowery, pedantic, pompous ...
/.../kleiser/talks on talking/practical hints for speakers.htm

Of the Obstinacy of those Individuals who Impugn the Resurrection ...
... live for ever? or is it not to be believed that He will do this, because
it is an undesirable thing, and unworthy of God? Of His ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 25 of the obstinacy of.htm

Whether the Godhead Can be Seen by the Wicked Without Joy?
... Hence that which is desirable or pleasant can have an admixture of something rendering
it undesirable or unpleasant; but the very aspect of pleasurableness has ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the godhead can be.htm

Men and Mannerisms
... Still another undesirable mannerism of the voice is that of giving a rising inflection
at the close of successive sentences that are obviously complete. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/talks on talking/men and mannerisms.htm

Letter vi. Associates and Friends.
... to the good opinion of sensible people, as shown by unusual and startling conduct
in public places; all such things mark the undesirable associate for young ...
/.../letter vi associates and friends.htm

Preface of the Second Edition.
... to disregard, inasmuch as to have carried them out would have altered too largely
the character of the book, and brouht it into undesirable competition with ...
/.../luckock/studies in the book of common prayer/preface of the second edition.htm

Conversational Phrases
... Can you imagine anything so horrible? Certain circumstances make it undesirable.
Certainly not, if it displeases you. Certainly, with the greatest pleasure. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section ix conversational phrases.htm

Kingo's Psalmbook
... The carefully prepared instructions of his commission directed him to eliminate
undesirable hymns; to revise antiquated rhymes and expressions; to adopt at ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter five kingos psalmbook.htm

The Surprise Party.
... Their victims are usually the sweetest and most trusting girls. Their beauty attracts
undesirable attention, and their ignorance makes them an easy prey. ...
/.../byrum/the value of a praying mother/chapter xiv the surprise party.htm

The Object of Missions, and Various Modes of Operation.
... It would, however, be very undesirable that literary ability and industry should
be the most prominent characteristics of a large portion of the missionary band ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xi the object of.htm

Thesaurus
Undesirable (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Undesirable (4 Occurrences). Acts 15:38 while
Paul deemed it undesirable to have as their companion one ...
/u/undesirable.htm - 7k

Undeserved (1 Occurrence)

/u/undeserved.htm - 6k

Undetected (1 Occurrence)

/u/undetected.htm - 6k

Jonathan (109 Occurrences)
... reason thus: "Because of the honor of Moses was the nun written so as to alter the
name." The original word was Moses, but it was thought undesirable that a ...
/j/jonathan.htm - 59k

Tanner (3 Occurrences)
... The Jews looked upon tanning as an undesirable occupation and well they might, for
at best it was accompanied with unpleasant odors and unattractive sights, if ...
/t/tanner.htm - 11k

Deemed (14 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Acts 15:38 while Paul deemed it undesirable to have as their companion one
who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work. ...
/d/deemed.htm - 10k

Deserted (54 Occurrences)
... Acts 15:38 while Paul deemed it undesirable to have as their companion one who had
deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work. ...
/d/deserted.htm - 22k

Companion (44 Occurrences)
... Acts 15:38 while Paul deemed it undesirable to have as their companion one who had
deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work. (WEY). ...
/c/companion.htm - 20k

Save (375 Occurrences)
... up; to reserve. 5. (v.) To rescue from something undesirable or hurtful;
to prevent from doing something; to spare. 6. (v.) To hinder ...
/s/save.htm - 37k

Hades (11 Occurrences)
... The Old Testament thus concentrates the partial light it throws on the state after
death on the negative, undesirable side of the prospect apart from redemption ...
/h/hades.htm - 23k

Resources
What are the biblical principles for solid decision-making? | GotQuestions.org

How can I overcome resistance to change? | GotQuestions.org

Are any mythological creatures mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Undesirable: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Undesirable (4 Occurrences)

Acts 15:38
while Paul deemed it undesirable to have as their companion one who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work.
(WEY)

Joshua 24:15
If it seems evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh."
(See NIV)

Jeremiah 22:28
Is this man Coniah a despised broken vessel? is he a vessel in which none delights? why are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into the land which they don't know?
(See NAS)

Jeremiah 48:38
On all the housetops of Moab and in its streets there is lamentation every where; for I have broken Moab like a vessel in which none delights, says Yahweh.
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Undesirable

Related Terms

Undid (2 Occurrences)

Undesirable (4 Occurrences)

Undeserved
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