Ungodliness refers to behavior or beliefs that are contrary to God and His nature. The Bible has much to say about ungodliness and its consequences. At its core, ungodliness is living as if God does not exist or does not matter. It is disregarding God’s laws and commands and living according to one’s own desires and purposes instead of God’s.
Characteristics of Ungodliness
The Bible describes several characteristics and manifestations of ungodliness:
Lack of reverence for God – Ungodly people do not honor or respect God. They do not see Him as sovereign, holy, or worthy of worship (Romans 1:21).
Rejection of truth – Ungodly people suppress the truth about God that has been revealed to them. They exchange the truth for a lie (Romans 1:18,25).
Immorality – With no moral compass rooted in God’s nature and commands, ungodly people often engage in all kinds of immoral behaviors and lifestyles (2 Timothy 3:1-5). Common examples include sexual immorality, greed, dishonesty, and selfishness.
Unfruitful works – The deeds and activities of ungodly people do not produce spiritual fruit or have eternal significance and value (Titus 1:16, Jude 1:15). Their works are ultimately unprofitable.
False religion – Ungodly people may invent their own man-made religions and idols. They worship created things rather than the Creator (Romans 1:23).
Scoffing – Ungodly people ridicule righteousness and those who follow God (2 Peter 3:3). They see godliness as foolishness.
No fear of God – With no respect for God’s authority and power, ungodly people do not fear or worry about facing God’s judgment for their sin (Jude 1:18).
So in summary, ungodliness flows out of a heart that disregards God and rebels against Him as sovereign Lord. It is manifested in immoral living, false religion, and open scorn of godly principles. The ungodly person lives for self and temporal pleasures rather than honoring the eternal God.
Examples of Ungodliness in the Bible
The Bible contains many examples of ungodly individuals and behaviors that displeased God:
The wickedness of humanity before the Flood (Genesis 6:5) – Humanity became utterly ungodly, leading God to send the Flood as judgment. Violence, immorality, and corruption had overtaken mankind.
Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:20) – The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah epitomized ungodliness through their rampant sexual immorality and rejection of God’s truth. Their sin was so grievous that God consumed them.
The Israelites’ idolatry – God’s chosen people, the Israelites, frequently turned to idol worship and disregarded God’s commands. Their unfaithfulness led to God’s discipline and exile (Jeremiah 16:12).
The Pharisees (Matthew 23:27-28) – Though outwardly religious, the Pharisees were ungodly hypocrites. Jesus rebuked them for lack of love and justice.
Godlessness in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1-5) – Scripture warns that the end times will be characterized by a surge in ungodly living as people arrogantly reject God and pursue sin.
From the Garden of Eden to the present day, human history has been marked by ungodliness. Apart from God’s grace, mankind consistently fails to honor His wisdom and invites judgment.
Causes of Ungodliness
Why does ungodliness occur? The Bible points to several root causes:
Sinful nature – All people are born with a sinful nature inclined to rebel against God (Psalm 51:5, Romans 8:7-8). Ungodliness flows out of the sinful heart.
Satanic influence – Satan promotes ungodliness by blinding unbelievers from truth and inciting hostility to God (2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 2:2).
Worldly influence – The secular worldview rejects absolute moral truth and embraces values contrary to God’s character (1 John 2:15-17). Exposure to such philosophies fuels ungodliness.
False teaching – Incorrect and unbiblical religious ideas can lead people astray into ungodly thinking and conduct (1 Timothy 6:3-5).
Willful rejection of truth – Ungodly people made in God’s image actively repress His truth and do not honor Him (Romans 1:18).
At its root, ungodliness stems from each person’s voluntary choice to live without regard for the Creator. While outside influences factor in, each individual is responsible for his or her own rejection of God’s rightful authority.
Consequences of Ungodliness
The Bible is clear – ungodliness has dire consequences both in this life and the next:
God’s wrath – Ungodliness provokes God’s righteous anger against the perpetrators of ungodliness (Romans 1:18). He cannot overlook open rebellion against His holiness.
Judgment – God promises to judge all ungodliness justly (Jude 1:15). No one escapes His moral accountability.
Futility – In the end, an ungodly life proves empty and purposeless, devoid of eternal impact (Ecclesiastes 2:11, Romans 8:8).
Spiritual blindness – Ungodly hearts become calloused to God’s truth and wisdom (Ephesians 4:18-19).
Slavery to sin – Ungodliness leads to deeper bondage and control by sinful desires (John 8:34, 2 Timothy 2:25-26).
Death – Physical death results from the original sin of Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:17, Romans 5:12). Spiritual death and separation from God is the final payment for ungodliness (Romans 6:23).
The stakes could not be higher. An ungodly life forfeits blessings in the present and leads to eternal damnation. Only repenting and humbly submitting to Christ can rescue us.
Contrasted with Godliness
It is crucial to understand ungodliness in contrast with its opposite – godliness. Here are some key differences:
Godliness – Honoring and obeying God, Christ-centered living
Ungodliness – Disregarding and dishonoring God, self-centered living
Godliness – Repentance, faith, and love for God
Ungodliness – Unbelief, lack of love for God
Godliness – Righteous, ethical living (Titus 2:12)
Ungodliness – Immoral, unethical living (2 Timothy 3:2-5)
Godliness – Eternal perspective (Colossians 3:1-2)
Ungodliness – Worldly, temporary perspective (James 4:4)
Godliness – Brings knowledge of God (2 Peter 1:3)
Ungodliness – Suppresses knowledge of God (Romans 1:18)
Godliness – Leads to eternal life (1 Timothy 4:7-8)
Ungodliness – Leads to eternal death (Romans 6:23)
Where ungodliness and rebellion prevail, misery, judgment, and death result. But God offers redemption, meaning, and satisfaction to all who humbly repent and pursue godliness in Christ Jesus.
Bible Verses about Ungodliness
The Bible contains many verses that teach on ungodliness. Here is a sampling of them:
“They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.” (Psalm 14:1)
“Although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Romans 1:21)
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
“For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.” (Jude 1:4)
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.” (2 Peter 3:10-12)
The message rings out clearly – we must turn from ungodliness and instead pursue holiness and godliness by God’s power and grace.
Avoiding Ungodliness
How can professing believers avoid falling into ungodliness? The Bible offers powerful advice:
Receive Christ – Repent and believe in Jesus to receive new life and the Holy Spirit (John 3:3, 16).
Abide in Christ – Remain connected to Jesus, without whom we can do nothing (John 15:5).
Immerse in Scripture – God’s Word exposes sin and shows the godly way (Psalm 119:9-11).
Prayer – Communicate regularly with God and depend on Him (Colossians 4:2).
Fellowship – Surround yourself with godly people who will encourage holiness (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Crucify the flesh – Put worldly desires to death by the Spirit’s power (Galatians 5:24).
Watch yourself – Be on guard against sinful stumbling (1 Corinthians 10:12).
Persevere – Continue pursuing godliness despite hardship or delay (Romans 2:7).
Hope in Christ – Keep an eternal perspective and live accordingly (Titus 2:13).
Followers of Jesus have the resources in Christ to overcome ungodliness. While not instantaneous, the process of becoming godly through sanctification can make steady progress over a lifetime.
God Offers Redemption
The most glorious truth about ungodliness is this – God is willing to redeem and transform even the most ungodly sinner! No one is beyond reach of His amazing grace.
The apostle Paul, formerly a fierce persecutor of the church, described himself as the “worst” of sinners, yet God showed him mercy and completely changed him (1 Timothy 1:15-16). Christ Jesus came to save sinners and offers new life to all who repent and believe (Luke 5:32).
So take heart! God is abundant in mercy and grace for all who turn from ungodliness and trust in His Son for salvation. There is no more godly way to live than through faith, love, and grateful obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.