Topical Encyclopedia
The term "vicious" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept is represented through various descriptions of behavior and character that are contrary to the teachings of Scripture. In a biblical context, viciousness can be understood as a manifestation of sinful nature, characterized by malice, cruelty, and a deliberate intent to harm others. This entry explores the biblical perspective on vicious behavior, its origins, and its consequences.
Biblical Descriptions and Examples1.
Malice and Cruelty: The Bible frequently warns against malice and cruelty, which are key components of vicious behavior. In
Ephesians 4:31 , Paul instructs believers to "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice." This verse highlights the destructive nature of such attitudes and the need for Christians to reject them.
2.
The Heart of Man: Viciousness is often linked to the sinful condition of the human heart.
Jeremiah 17:9 states, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" This verse underscores the inherent sinfulness that can lead to vicious actions if not transformed by God's grace.
3.
Cain and Abel: An early biblical example of vicious behavior is found in the account of Cain and Abel. In
Genesis 4:8 , Cain's jealousy and anger lead him to commit the first murder: "Then Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let us go out to the field.' And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him." This act of violence is a clear demonstration of viciousness driven by unchecked sin.
4.
The Pharisees and Jesus: The Gospels provide numerous instances where the Pharisees exhibit vicious behavior towards Jesus. Their relentless plotting and attempts to trap Him in His words (
Matthew 22:15) reveal a deep-seated malice and hostility. Jesus often rebuked them for their hypocrisy and evil intentions, as seen in
Matthew 23:27 : "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity."
Consequences of Viciousness1.
Separation from God: Vicious behavior is a sin that separates individuals from God.
Isaiah 59:2 declares, "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 a spiritual consequence that affects one's relationship with God.
2.
Judgment and Retribution: The Bible warns that those who engage in vicious acts will face divine judgment.
Romans 2:5-6 states, "But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. God 'will repay each one according to his deeds.'"
3.
Destruction and Ruin: Viciousness leads to personal and communal destruction.
Proverbs 11:17 contrasts kindness and cruelty: "A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself." This proverb highlights the self-destructive nature of vicious behavior.
Transformation through ChristThe Bible offers hope for those struggling with vicious tendencies through the transformative power of Jesus Christ. In
2 Corinthians 5:17 , Paul writes, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!" Through repentance and faith in Christ, individuals can overcome viciousness and embody the fruits of the Spirit, such as love, kindness, and self-control (
Galatians 5:22-23).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Characterized by vice or defects; defective; faulty; imperfect.
2. (a.) Addicted to vice; corrupt in principles or conduct; depraved; wicked; as, vicious children; vicious examples; vicious conduct.
3. (a.) Wanting purity; foul; bad; noxious; as, vicious air, water, etc.
4. (a.) Not correct or pure; corrupt; as, vicious language; vicious idioms.
5. (a.) Not well tamed or broken; given to bad tricks; unruly; refractory; as, a vicious horse.
6. (a.) Bitter; spiteful; malignant.
Greek
4190. poneros -- toilsome, bad ... Usage bad (5), crimes (1), envious (1), envy* (1), evil (50), evil one (5), evil
things (1), malignant (1), more evil (1), more wicked (1),
vicious (1), wicked
... 2549. kakia -- wickedness
... kak-ee'-ah) Short Definition: evil, wickedness, malice Definition: (a) evil (ie
trouble, labor, misfortune), (b) wickedness, (c) vicious disposition, malice ...
2550. kakoetheia -- malevolence
... Cognate: 2550 (from 2556 , "an evil, vicious disposition" and 2239 , "custom") --
a disposition (character) that fosters and fondles evil . ...
Strong's Hebrew
6530. parits -- violent one... Word Origin from parats Definition violent one NASB Word Usage ones* (1), robbers
(2),
vicious (1), violent (3). destroyer, ravenous, robber.
... 5056. naggach -- given to goring (used of bulls)
... used wont to push. From nagach; butting, ie Vicious -- used (wont) to push. see
HEBREW nagach. 5055, 5056. naggach. 5057 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Whether vice is Worse than a vicious Act?
... EVIL HABITS, ie VICES AND SINS (QQ -89) Whether vice is worse than a vicious act? ...
Now a vicious habit is more lasting than vicious acts, that pass forthwith. ...
How vicious Souls, However Worthy of Condemnation they May Be ...
... Chapter 5. "How Vicious Souls, However Worthy of Condemnation They May
Be, Excel the Light Which is Praiseworthy in Its Kind. ...
Whence, Therefore, have These vicious Opinions Flowed, or from ...
... Book VII. 34 Whence, therefore, have these vicious opinions flowed, or
from what causes have they sprung? From? Whence, therefore ...
Whether Everyone that Sins through Habit, Sins through Certain ...
... formed" (Ethic. ii, 1,2). But the acts which precede a vicious habit are
not committed through certain malice. Therefore the sins ...
The Misery of them who have and Prize Not
... The one are more odious and, less sensible; more foolish, and more vicious: the
senses of the other are exceeding keen and quick upon them; yet are they not so ...
Whether Generation Should have Taken Place Even in Paradise had ...
... his De Republica, adopt a simile from human nature, and say that we command our
bodily members as children, they are so obedient; but that the vicious parts of ...
That it is Now Necessary, as it was not Before Man Sinned, to ...
... Hence it is that even the philosophers who have approximated to the truth have avowed
that anger and lust are vicious mental emotions, because, even when ...
Of the Affections, and the Opinion of the Peripatetics Respecting ...
... and how necessarily God, or nature (for so they term it), armed us with these
affections; which, however, because they generally become vicious if they are in ...
Upon Human Nature.
... II. Nature is frequently spoken of as consisting in those passions which are strongest,
and most influence the actions; which being vicious ones, mankind is in ...
Proposition Though the Necessity and Indispensableness of all the ...
... and violent the unreasonable lusts, appetites, and desires of sense; and so great
the blindness introduced by superstitious opinions, vicious customs, and ...
Thesaurus
Vicious (3 Occurrences)... 2. (a.) Addicted to vice; corrupt in principles or conduct; depraved; wicked;
as,
vicious children;
vicious examples;
vicious conduct.
...Profligate (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Broken down in principle, virtue, or decency; openly and shamelessly
immoral or vicious; dissolute; as, profligate man or wretch. ...
Vicinity (18 Occurrences)
Jezebel (20 Occurrences)
... founder of Carthage. Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) A bold, vicious woman;
a termagant. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JEZEBEL. jez'-e ...
Viciously (1 Occurrence)
Vagabond (4 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Floating about without any certain direction; driven to and fro.
4. (a.) Being a vagabond; strolling and idle or vicious. ...
Nero
... Germanicus. His father was Enaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus ("Brazen-beard"), a man
sprung from an illustrious family and of vicious character. ...
Lewd (37 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Obscene; lustful; lascivious; indecent. 2. (superl.) Belonging to the
lower classes, or the rabble; idle and lawless; bad; vicious. ...
Lazy (10 Occurrences)
... 2. (superl.) Inactive; slothful; slow; sluggish; as, a lazy stream. 3. (superl.)
Wicked; vicious. Multi-Version Concordance Lazy (10 Occurrences). ...
Lewdness (68 Occurrences)
... The word "lewd" is from the Saxon, and means properly "ignorant," "unlearned," and
hence low, vicious (Acts 17:5). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
Resources
What is the unholy trinity in the end times? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did God condone such terrible violence in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.orgThe Shack by William P. Young - a review | GotQuestions.orgVicious: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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