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5 Examples of Iniquity in the Bible – Viral Believer
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5 Examples of Iniquity in the Bible

Introduction

Iniquity is a term that refers to wickedness, unrighteousness, or sin, and it is often used in the Bible to describe deliberate disobedience to God’s laws and will. The Bible is full of examples of iniquity, from the fall of Adam and Eve to the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot.

Each of these stories serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the serious consequences that come with disobeying God.

In this blog post, we will examine five examples of iniquity in the Bible and what we can learn from them. These stories serve as a warning to us as Christians to avoid disobedience to God’s commands and to strive to live lives free from sin.

Each of these examples provides valuable insights into the nature of iniquity and how it can affect our lives and the lives of those around us.

By exploring these stories, we will gain a deeper understanding of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of living a life that is in line with God’s commands.

Through these lessons, we can strive to become better Christians, seeking to obey God’s commands and live a life that is pleasing to Him. So, let us examine these five examples of iniquity in the Bible and learn from them.

iniquity in the Bible

The Fall of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-24)

The story of the fall of Adam and Eve is one of the most well-known examples of iniquity in the Bible. God had created the world and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, giving them dominion over everything in it.

However, the serpent, who was more cunning than any beast of the field, deceived Eve into eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, which God had commanded them not to eat. Eve then gave the fruit to Adam, and he also ate it, thus disobeying God’s commandment.

Their disobedience had far-reaching consequences. They were banished from the Garden of Eden, and sin entered the world. Adam’s sin was imputed to all of his descendants, and death became a reality for all people.

The fall of Adam and Eve teaches us that iniquity has consequences, not just for the person who commits it, but for others as well.

The fall of Adam and Eve has many lessons for us today. One of the most important is that sin separates us from God. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they were cast out of the Garden of Eden, and their relationship with God was broken.

Likewise, when we sin, we are separated from God, and we cannot have a close relationship with Him. However, the good news is that through faith in Jesus Christ, we can be reconciled to God and have our relationship with Him restored.

Another lesson we can learn from the fall of Adam and Eve is the importance of obedience. God gave Adam and Eve a clear commandment not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. However, they chose to disobey that commandment, and as a result, sin entered the world.

We too are called to obey God’s commandments, and when we do, we experience the blessings that come from living in obedience to Him.

The Rebellion of Korah (Numbers 16:1-50)

Korah was a Levite who led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, claiming that they were not the only ones who had been chosen by God to lead the Israelites. Korah and his followers were swallowed up by the earth, and fire consumed those who offered incense to the Lord without being authorized to do so.

This event shows us that iniquity is not just disobedience to God’s laws, but also rebellion against God’s chosen leaders.

The rebellion of Korah is a powerful reminder that God has appointed leaders in our lives, and we are called to submit to their authority.

The Bible teaches that all authority comes from God, and that we should honor and respect those whom God has placed in positions of leadership over us. When we rebel against those leaders, we are not only disobeying them, but also God Himself.

Another lesson we can learn from the rebellion of Korah is the importance of humility. Korah and his followers were proud and arrogant, thinking that they were just as qualified to lead as Moses and Aaron. However, God humbled them and showed them that they were not.

We too are called to be humble and to recognize that all our gifts and abilities come from God. We should not think of ourselves more highly than we ought, but rather, we should seek to serve others and to use our gifts for the glory of God.

The Sin of Achan (Joshua 7:1-26)

After the Israelites conquered Jericho, they were instructed to take nothing from the city, as everything in it was to be devoted to the Lord. However, Achan took some of the plunder for himself, thus disobeying God’s commandment.

As a result, the Israelites suffered defeat in their next battle, and Achan and his family were stoned to death. The sin of Achan teaches us that iniquity can have severe consequences, not just for the person who commits it, but for their loved ones as well.

The sin of Achan is a sobering reminder that our actions can have far-reaching consequences. When Achan took the forbidden items from Jericho, he not only sinned against God, but he also caused his fellow Israelites to suffer defeat in battle.

This teaches us that our sins can have a ripple effect, causing harm to others as well as ourselves.

Another lesson we can learn from the sin of Achan is the importance of confessing our sins. After Achan was discovered, he confessed his sin and acknowledged that he had sinned against God.

This act of confession was necessary for him to be reconciled to God and to his fellow Israelites. Likewise, when we sin, we must confess our sins and seek forgiveness from God and from those whom we have wronged.

The Betrayal of Judas Iscariot (Matthew 26:14-16, 47-50)

Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, but he betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. He led the soldiers to Jesus, and he kissed Jesus to identify him. Jesus was arrested and ultimately crucified.

Judas’ betrayal shows us that iniquity can come from unexpected sources, even from those who are close to us. It also reminds us that we must be careful whom we place our trust in.

The betrayal of Judas Iscariot is a tragic event in the life of Jesus, but it also teaches us important lessons about human nature. Judas was one of Jesus’ closest disciples, yet he still betrayed him for thirty pieces of silver.

This teaches us that even those who are close to us can turn against us, and that we must be careful whom we trust.

Another lesson we can learn from the betrayal of Judas Iscariot is the importance of loyalty. Jesus had entrusted Judas with a great responsibility, yet he betrayed that trust for a small amount of money.

We too are called to be loyal to those whom we have been entrusted with, and to honor the trust that has been placed in us.

The Sin of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11)

Ananias and Sapphira were members of the early Christian church who sold a piece of property and claimed to have given all the proceeds to the church, when in fact they kept some of it for themselves. They lied to the apostles, and as a result, they were struck dead by God.

The sin of Ananias and Sapphira teaches us that iniquity is not just a matter of disobedience, but also dishonesty and deception. It reminds us that God values truth and honesty, and that we should be truthful in all our dealings.

The sin of Ananias and Sapphira is a sobering reminder that God values truth and honesty above all else. When Ananias and Sapphira lied to the apostles, they were not just disobeying God’s commandments, but also betraying the trust of their fellow believers.

This teaches us that we must always be truthful in our dealings with others, and that we must honor the trust that has been placed in us.

Another lesson we can learn from the sin of Ananias and Sapphira is the importance of giving. The early Christian church was marked by a spirit of generosity, and many believers sold their possessions and gave the proceeds to the church.

However, Ananias and Sapphira’s sin was not just that they kept some of the proceeds for themselves, but that they lied about it. This teaches us that giving must always be done with a spirit of generosity and honesty, and that we must never seek to deceive others with our giving.

Conclusion

These five examples of iniquity in the Bible demonstrate the serious consequences of disobeying God’s laws and will. The fall of Adam and Eve shows us that iniquity has consequences not just for the person who commits it, but for others as well.

The rebellion of Korah reminds us that iniquity is not just disobedience to God’s laws, but also rebellion against God’s chosen leaders.

The sin of Achan teaches us that iniquity can have severe consequences, not just for the person who commits it, but for their loved ones as well. The betrayal of Judas Iscariot shows us that iniquity can come from unexpected sources, even from those who are close to us.

And finally, the sin of Ananias and Sapphira teaches us that iniquity is not just a matter of disobedience, but also dishonesty and deception.

As Christians, we must strive to avoid iniquity in all its forms. We should seek to obey God’s laws and will, and to follow the example of Jesus Christ, who lived a sinless life. When we do sin, we should repent and seek forgiveness, knowing that God is gracious and merciful.

In conclusion, let us heed the words of Psalm 34:14: “Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” May we strive to live lives free from iniquity, and may God grant us the strength and grace to do so.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.