Impiety refers to a lack of reverence, respect, or devotion for God. It manifests itself through irreverent behavior, speech, or attitudes that show contempt for God and holy things. The Bible has much to say about impiety and its dangers. Here is an overview of some key biblical teachings on this topic:
Impiety Is Sinful Rebellion Against God
The Bible makes clear that impiety is more than simply lacking proper reverence for God – it is active rebellion and sin against Him. Passages like Romans 1:18 and Jude 1:18 describe impious people as those who actively “suppress the truth” about God and “despise authority.” They know the truth about God but choose to reject it and live in open rebellion against Him. Impiety stems from a heart that is turned away from God.
Impiety Stems from a Rejection of God’s Authority
A key element of impiety is rejecting God’s sovereignty and authority over one’s life. Psalm 10:4 says the impious person “does not seek God” and refuses to submit to God’s rule. Proverbs 30:9 warns against denying or contradicting God’s words. And in Matthew 15:7-9, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees as impious because they rejected God’s commands in order to keep their own traditions. At its root, impiety reflects a heart that seeks autonomy from God rather than submission to Him.
Impiety Leads to Practical Atheism
Although impious people may outwardly profess belief in God, the Bible often describes impiety as practical atheism – living as if God does not exist or does not matter. Titus 1:16 warns about some “who claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him.” And Psalm 14:1 declares, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.'” Though the impious may acknowledge God’s existence, they live independently of Him, as if He was not real. Their lifestyle contradicts their religious profession.
Impiety Incites God’s Anger and Judgment
The Bible repeatedly warns that impiety provokes God’s righteous anger and leads to His judgment. Numbers 15:30-31 calls impiety a “blasphemous act” that must be cut off from the people. In Romans 1:18, God’s wrath is revealed against the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. Hebrews 10:31 reminds us, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Impiety spurns the grace of God and stores up His judgment.
Examples of Impiety Deserving Judgment
The Bible contains many examples of impious words and actions that provoked God’s judgment:
– The wickedness and violence of mankind in Noah’s day (Genesis 6:5-7)
– Esau despising his birthright and inheritance (Genesis 25:34; Hebrews 12:16-17)
– Nadab and Abihu offering unauthorized fire before the Lord (Leviticus 10:1-3)
– The Israelites rejecting God and worshiping idols at Sinai (Exodus 32:1-10)
– Saul disobeying God’s commands and erecting an unlawful monument to himself (1 Samuel 15:10-26)
– Uzzah touched the Ark of the Covenant, contrary to God’s instructions (2 Samuel 6:6-7)
Pride and Arrogance Fuel Impiety
At its root, impiety flows out of the pride and arrogance of the human heart. The impious person exalts himself above God and His ways. Isaiah 29:16 warns impious people who argue with their Maker and deny that they are just clay in the Potter’s hands. In 2 Peter 2:10, the apostle warns against “those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority.” Impiety reflects a spirit of insolent pride rather than humility before God.
Impiety Characterizes the Wicked
Those who stubbornly continue in impenitent impiety evidence a wicked heart bent on evil. The Psalms frequently categorize the impious together with the wicked, criminals, and enemies of God (Psalm 1:1, 5; 5:5; 14:4; 37:12). Proverbs 21:27 says that “the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination.” And in Romans 5:6, Paul reminds us that “Christ died for the ungodly.” Impious words and actions give evidence of a depraved heart.
God Rejects the Worship of the Impious
Impious people may attempt to worship God on their own terms, but the Bible makes clear that God detests and rejects such empty worship. Jesus told the Pharisees that God cannot be honored “with their lips while their hearts are far from Him” (Matthew 15:8). Isaiah 1:13-15 records God’s rejection of impious worship: “I cannot endure iniquity…bringing offerings is futile; incense is an abomination to me.” Right living must accompany worship.
Practicing Impiety Is Dangerous and Destructive
The Bible contains grave warnings against persisting in impiety due to its destructive consequences:
– It hardens the heart and leads to further ungodliness (Romans 1:21-32, Hebrews 3:12-13)
– It spreads its contagion to others (2 Timothy 2:16)
– It brings reproach upon the Gospel (Romans 2:24)
– It provokes God’s discipline and leads to spiritual and eternal loss (Hebrews 10:26-31)
– It ruins nations that tolerate it (Psalm 9:17, Proverbs 14:34)
God cannot bless those who defiantly reject His authority; they reap the corruption they sow (Galatians 6:7-8).
Christians Must Avoid Impious Company
Since impiety is extremely dangerous and contagious, Scripture instructs believers to avoid those who disregard and dishonor God through impious living. Psalm 26:4-5 says, “I do not sit with the worthless, nor do I consort with hypocrites; I hate the assembly of evildoers.” Ephesians 5:11 commands, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Keeping impious company will lead believers into compromise and sin.
God Requires Exclusive Loyalty and Worship
According to Scripture, revering and worshiping the one true God is the highest duty and purpose of mankind. We are to love, fear, serve, and worship God with absolute sincerity and loyalty of heart. Impiety compromises exclusive devotion to God by introducing idolatry, hypocrisy, indifference, irreverence, or direct rebellion into the human heart. God requires purity of faith and sincere devotion to Him alone.
Jesus Condemns Self-Righteous Impiety
Some of Christ’s sternest rebukes were aimed at the Pharisees, whose impious attitudes and actions contradicted their pious reputation. Though scrupulous about religious rituals, they neglected justice, mercy and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23). Their outward religiosity masked inward impiety that exalted self and tradition over God and His commands. Jesus exposed their hypocrisy and pride that led them to reject Him.
True Remedy for Impiety Is Heart Repentance
The antidote to impiety is a heart attitude of humility and reverence before God. Psalm 34:18 says God is near to the broken and contrite heart. Isaiah 66:1-2 declares that God looks with favor upon the humble and contrite who tremble at His word. Turning from impiety requires seeking God’s mercy in repentance and faith (Acts 20:21). Only Christ can heal the proud, unbelieving heart that produces impiety.
Genuine Faith Produces Good Works
Impiety not only nullifies worship, it also undermines the fruit of good deeds that genuine faith produces. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for focusing on outward religious deeds while inwardly they were “full of greed and self-indulgence” (Matthew 23:25). Paul instructs Titus that true faith is evidenced through sound doctrine and upright living (Titus 1:13-2:7). Empty profession without corresponding good works is impiety.
Piety Flows from a Renewed Heart
In contrast to impiety, true piety springs from a heart renewed by God (Psalm 51:10). It manifests itself through an attitude of reverence, awe, and submission before God (Hebrews 12:28-29). The pious person seeks to honor and obey God in every aspect of life out of love, gratitude and desire to please Him. Piety characterized by righteous living pleases God far more than empty ritual or profession.
Cultivating a Heart of Piety
Scripture encourages various spiritual disciplines and attitudes to nurture a heart of piety instead of impiety:
– Regularly hearing and obeying God’s word (James 1:22)
– Having a reverent fear of God (Proverbs 23:17)
– Making worship a lifestyle rather than a ritual (Romans 12:1)
– Serving others out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 6:5-8)
– Bringing every thought captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5)
– Setting affections on things above (Colossians 3:1-3)
– Receiving continual cleansing through Christ (1 John 1:9)
As believers cultivate these habits of mind and heart, impiety is replaced with sincere piety and devotion to God.
Conclusion
The Bible contains serious warnings against dismissing God with impious attitudes, words or actions. Instead believers are called to humble reverence, submission, and wholehearted devotion to God in every aspect of life. Impiety destroys spiritual life, while true piety flows from a heart transformed by Christ’s grace. God deeply desires that His people live rightly before Him in humble worship, trust and obedience.
