We are still in Romans 1:18 with our discussion through the letter. If you have missed any of the chatter you can find the conversations at THE ROAD THROUGH ROMANS PAGE.

“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,” Rom. 1:18

Today we will be discussing the nature of wickedness.

The word wickedness is translated from the Greek word, adikia, it is  “a deed violating law and justice, act of unrighteousness” (definition from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance).

Where godlessness speaks to the attitude of the heart that causes bad behavior, wickedness is the behavior itself.

So what does God consider wicked or evil behavior:

Let’s run a few lists:

 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children ² and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. ⁵ For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Ephesians 5: 1- 5

 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.^{[b] 7} You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ⁸ But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. ⁹ Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices Colossians 3: 5-9

Wickedness is…

1. anything even hinting at sex outside of marriage
2. Greed
3. obscenity
4. talking out of turn
5. dirty jokes
6. lust
7. anger
8. rage
9. Being malicious
10. ruining someone’s reputation
11. filthy language

We could get more lists but let’s just stop here shall we? Who hasn’t done at least one thing on this list? Well according to Romans 1:18 this causes God’s wrath to be set against us.

If the Bible left us here we would all be in a world of hurt. No one could be saved. Everyone would be apportioned God’s wrath. But the Bible doesn’t leave us here and neither does Paul as you are going to see. We just have to stop thinking that we can make it into God’s good graces and avoid His wrath on our own merits.  No one is ever going to be good enough earn their way into Heaven. We need a savior!

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10,11

We are continuing our discussion on Romans 1:18 today. Yesterday we discussed the wrath of God and today we will be discussing Godlessness.

If you have missed any of our discussions they can be found on THE ROAD THROUGH ROMANS PAGE.

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,” Rom. 1:18″

So what exactly is “godlessness” or as it is translated in other versions “ungodliness”?

The word used in the Greek is, asebeia. It is defined as a want of reverence towards God or impiety.

Once again that’s a great definition until I ask you to define reverence and impiety. Let’s look at some other verses for help.

Other verses where the word  asebeia is used are:

And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness ^G763from Jacob: Romans 11:26

 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. ¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. ¹⁶ Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.  2 Tim. 2:14-16

 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. ¹² It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, Titus 2:11-13

To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly ^G763 deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. 

You see, ungodliness is a state of mind that manifests in action. Ungodliness is not action itself. Ungodliness is a root that puts forth sin. It manifests in  wicked words and deeds because it is a heart that does not care about God. It is a heart from which God is absent. 

THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!

To be ungodly a person does not have to hate God or be malicious towards God. The mindset of an ungodly person is simply irreverent toward God, which means an ungodly person considers God unimportant and unworthy of playing a significant role in life. Such a mindset does not bring God into the equation of living at all.

Ungodliness is not a specific behavior or activity.It goes deeper than behavior. Ungodliness is an attitude of the heart that shuts God out of the decision making process. Therefore, godlessness is manifested in any activity from which God is excluded.

Now let me ask the $25,000.00 question. In light of that definition how much of our culture is ungodly and therefore subject to wrath?