Iniquity is a significant biblical concept that appears throughout the Old and New Testaments. At its most basic level, iniquity refers to immoral or sinful behavior that is contrary to God’s laws and commandments. The original Hebrew and Greek words translated as “iniquity” convey a sense of wickedness, perversity, crookedness, and departure from what is right. While often used interchangeably with “sin,” iniquity carries a particular emphasis on the fundamental bent toward wrongdoing within individuals and communities. Definitions and Key Characteristics of Iniquity In the Old Testament, several Hebrew words relate to iniquity. Avon (meaning “perversity, depravity”) and awon (meaning…
Author: Matt Primack
Anger is a natural human emotion that everyone experiences from time to time. However, the Bible warns us in Proverbs 15:18 that being quick-tempered and easily angered leads to foolishness and sin. In this verse, King Solomon wrote, “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.” This ancient wisdom still rings true today and highlights the importance of keeping anger under control. When we look at the life of Jesus, we see the perfect model of someone who was “slow to anger.” Even when He had every right to be angry at the…
Crop circles have captured the imagination and curiosity of many over the years. These strange circular designs and patterns that mysteriously appear overnight in fields of crops have led some to wonder if they have a supernatural or spiritual significance. But what does the Bible have to say about crop circles? The Bible does not directly mention the phenomenon of crop circles as we know them today. Crop circles became widely known only in the late 20th century, mainly in southern England. The Bible was completed nearly 2,000 years ago, long before the modern concept of crop circles emerged. However,…
Faith is an important concept in Christianity that refers to a belief and trust in God. The Bible has a lot to say about the origins and development of faith in a believer’s life. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about where faith comes from: Faith Comes from God The Bible teaches that faith ultimately comes from God. Ephesians 2:8 says “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” This verse indicates that even our ability to have faith in the first place…
This is an important question that many Christians wonder about. The Bible provides some insight into the relationship between God and Satan, and how much power and authority Satan has to carry out evil in the world. Satan is a Created Being Under God’s Authority First, it’s important to understand that Satan is a created being, just like humans and angels. He was originally created good as an angel named Lucifer, but rebelled against God and was cast out of heaven (Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:12-19). Though Satan seeks to act independently from God, he remains under God’s sovereign authority and…
Worry and anxiety are a common human experience. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught his followers, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34). At first glance this verse seems to suggest that Jesus is calling his followers to a carefree, lackadaisical attitude about the future. But a closer look at the context shows that Jesus is not advocating irresponsibility but rather directing our focus to what is most important. The Context of Jesus’ Teaching In Matthew 6, Jesus is speaking to a large…
Is questioning the Bible wrong? The Bible is the word of God, divinely inspired and authoritative in all matters of faith and practice. As followers of Christ, we are called to submit to the Bible’s teaching and authority. However, this does not mean that we should refrain from asking sincere questions about the meaning and interpretation of Scripture. In fact, questioning the Bible in the right spirit and for the right reasons can lead to deeper knowledge of God’s truth. Here is a 9000 word exploration of what the Bible itself has to say about questioning Scripture and the principles…
In Psalm 51, David is repenting before God for his sins of adultery with Bathsheba and arranging the death of her husband Uriah (2 Samuel 11-12). David had fallen far short of God’s standards, and he needed forgiveness and cleansing from his sins. In verse 10 of this psalm, David cries out to God, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” This verse provides insight into why David asked God for a clean heart. David’s heart had become corrupted by sin Prior to his acts of adultery and murder, David was described…
The Bible makes it clear that God does get angry at times. However, God’s anger is very different from human anger. Human anger is often selfish, unnecessary, unrighteous, and out of control. God’s anger is always justified, holy, and under His complete control. There are many examples in the Bible where God expressed His righteous anger against sin. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command and ate the forbidden fruit, God was angry and banished them from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:23-24). When the Israelites worshiped a golden calf instead of the true God, God was furious and wanted…
The passages in Psalm 8:5 and Hebrews 2:7 that describe Jesus as being made “a little lower than the angels” have been the source of much discussion and debate among Bible scholars. At first glance, it may seem confusing or contradictory that Jesus, the Son of God, would be described as lower than the angels He created. However, when these verses are examined in their biblical context, we gain insight into the true meaning of this phrase and what it tells us about Jesus’ identity and mission. Context of Psalm 8:5 Psalm 8 is a psalm of David that expresses…