The term "wantonly" refers to actions that are done recklessly, without regard for morality, decency, or the consequences. In a biblical context, it often describes behavior that is sinful, indulgent, or rebellious against God's commandments. The Bible addresses wanton behavior in various passages, highlighting its destructive nature and the need for repentance and righteousness.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, wanton behavior is frequently associated with idolatry and moral decay. The Israelites are often warned against adopting the wanton practices of surrounding nations. For example, in the book of Isaiah, the prophet condemns the people for their wantonness, which leads them away from God:

· Isaiah 3:16 : "The LORD also says: 'Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, walking with heads held high and wanton eyes, prancing and skipping as they go, jingling their bracelets.'"

This passage illustrates how wantonness is linked to pride and vanity, leading to a departure from godly living.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, wanton behavior is similarly condemned. The apostle Paul warns against living in a wanton manner, urging believers to live in a way that honors God:

· Romans 13:13 : "Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy."

Here, Paul contrasts wanton behavior with the call to live decently, emphasizing the importance of self-control and moral integrity.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

Wantonness is often associated with a lack of self-discipline and a disregard for God's laws. It is seen as a manifestation of the sinful nature that leads individuals away from the path of righteousness. The Bible calls believers to reject wanton behavior and instead pursue holiness and obedience to God's commandments.

· 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, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

This passage underscores the seriousness of wanton behavior and its consequences, urging believers to live by the Spirit and produce the fruit of righteousness.

Call to Repentance

The Bible consistently calls for repentance from wanton behavior, offering forgiveness and restoration through faith in Jesus Christ. Believers are encouraged to turn away from sinful actions and embrace a life that reflects God's holiness and love.

· 1 Peter 4:3-4 : "For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you."

This call to repentance highlights the transformative power of the Gospel, enabling believers to break free from wantonness and live in accordance with God's will.1. (adv.) In a wanton manner; without regularity or restraint; loosely; sportively; gayly; playfully; recklessly; lasciviously.

2. (adv.) Unintentionally; accidentally.

When a Person Swears of his Own Accord, or Wantonly...
... Address 175: When a person swears of his own accord, or wantonly? When
a person swears of his own accord, or wantonly, then the ...
/.../address 175 0 0 when a person.htm

The Blood of the Testament
... I envy not the man whose pity would not stir to see a sparrow bleed or a lamb wantonly
put to pain; and as for the cruel man, I shudder at the thought of his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 58 1912/the blood of the testament.htm

Thou Shalt not Steal.
... and by nimbleness and queer finances or dexterous tricks takes advantage of him;
likewise, when one overcharges a person in a trade and wantonly drives a hard ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/thou shalt not steal.htm

Little Sins
... growth. Thou little knowest how near thy soul may be to destruction, when
thou wantonly indulgest in the smallest act of sin! Another ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/little sins.htm

Home-Education.
... CHAPTER XVI. HOME-EDUCATION. SECTION I. THE CHARACTER OF HOME EDUCATION. "Scratch
the green rind of a sapling, or wantonly twist it in the soil, The scarred ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xvi home-education.htm

Sunday after Ascension Day
... They learn it from the aged, and unrestrained they disgracefully and wantonly injure
themselves in the very bloom of life, destroying themselves as corn is cut ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/sunday after ascension day.htm

Earnest Expostulation
... filthiness. They have wantonly and wilfully returned to their cups, though
the poison of former draughts is yet burning in their veins. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 29 1883/earnest expostulation.htm

Sermon
... people, so far from being truly represented by the miscreants who have organised
and carried through the atrocities on land and on sea, are wantonly misled and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/michelson/no 4 intersession/sermon.htm

A Startling Statement
... scrupulously obey hygienic laws. But it can assure him of a speedy death
if he wantonly violates those laws. Precisely this fact ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/a startling statement.htm

Therefore if Haply, which Whether it Can Take Place...
... neither do concubines taken for a time, if they be such in order to sons, make their
concubinage lawful; nor do married women, if they live wantonly with their ...
/.../augustine/on the good of marriage/section 16 therefore if haply.htm

Wantonly (8 Occurrences)
... recklessly; lasciviously. 2. (adv.) Unintentionally; accidentally.
Multi-Version Concordance Wantonly (8 Occurrences). Revelation 18 ...
/w/wantonly.htm - 9k

Wanton (20 Occurrences)
... Revelation 18:9 The kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived
wantonly with her, will weep and wail over her, when they look at the smoke ...
/w/wanton.htm - 13k

Deliciously (2 Occurrences)
... entertained. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DELICIOUSLY. de-lish'-us-li
(streniao "to live hard or wantonly"): "She (Babylon). lived ...
/d/deliciously.htm - 7k

Wantonness (6 Occurrences)

/w/wantonness.htm - 8k

Naked (56 Occurrences)
... In 2 Chronicles 28:19 the words "he made Judah naked" (AV), but Revised Version
"he had dealt wantonly in Judah," mean "he had permitted Judah to break loose ...
/n/naked.htm - 29k

Uzziah (27 Occurrences)
... the Lord" (2 Kings 15:3; 2 Chronicles 26:4, 5); but toward the close of his long
life "his heart was lifted up to his destruction," and he wantonly invaded the ...
/u/uzziah.htm - 27k

Lightly (31 Occurrences)
... 9. (adv.) Without heed or care; with levity; gayly; airily. 10. (adv.) Not chastely;
wantonly. Multi-Version Concordance Lightly (31 Occurrences). ...
/l/lightly.htm - 16k

Licentious (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (a.) Lacking moral discipline or restraint, especially in sexual conduct; passing
due bounds; excessive; abusive of freedom; wantonly offensive; as, a ...
/l/licentious.htm - 7k

Wail (50 Occurrences)
... Revelation 18:9 The kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived
wantonly with her, will weep and wail over her, when they look at the smoke ...
/w/wail.htm - 21k

Wantonly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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