Lawlessness is defined as the state of being without law or order, a lack of respect for authority, or the breaking of societal norms. But what does the Bible say about lawlessness?
The word “lawlessness” in the Bible is often used to describe sinfulness, wickedness, and rebellion against God. It represents people who lack faith and do not follow God’s laws by acting contrary to His will.
When Jesus was teaching about the end times, He warned that lawlessness would increase: “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,” (Matthew 24:12). This means that there will be a time when people are so sinful and rebellious that they no longer care about doing what is right.
Sadly, this is prevalent today. The disregard for God’s laws and an increase in wickedness and violence are growing. This is one of the signs that Jesus gave us to show that His return is near. When this day comes, we need to be ready. We must ensure that our love for God is strong and that we live according to His laws. Otherwise, we will be judged by Jesus’ Second Coming.
What Does Lawlessness Generally Mean?
“Lawlessness” means different things to different people. For some, it may mean living outside of the law. This could include activities such as stealing, lying, or cheating. Others may see it as a lack of respect for authority or an unwillingness to follow the rules and regulations.
In a lawless world, people are not afraid of God and His punishment. They do not believe that there is anything wrong with their actions. This can lead to wickedness, such as murder, stealing, and sexual immorality. Living in a world like this is similar to stepping out of our homes only to become victims of lawlessness. For instance, we might be robbed, assaulted, or even killed.
Lawlessness also has a spiritual component. When we are lawless, we are not living in submission to God. Instead, we are living in rebellion against Him. This is why it is so important to obey God’s laws. Not only will we be blessed for doing so, but we will also be protected from the spiritual consequences of lawlessness.
What Are the Consequences of Lawlessness?
The consequences of lawlessness are both physical and spiritual. Physically, we may suffer from the effects of sin, such as disease, poverty, and violence. This will also lead to spiritual consequences, such as separation from God and His blessings.
Additionally, we may find ourselves in situations where we cannot resist temptation or obey God’s commands. This can have severe implications for our relationship with Him. After all, God doesn’t want us to be lawless; rather, He wants us to be obedient. Otherwise, being disobedient shows that we don’t trust Him or His Word. It also grieves the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us.
Finally, lawlessness brings judgment upon us both now and in the hereafter. This means we will have to face the consequences of our actions in our current lives and in the future.
What Is Lawlessness in the Bible?
Lawlessness doesn’t just refer to criminal activity but also to any action contrary to God’s law, including lying, stealing, cheating, and gossiping. So, lawlessness is any behavior that goes against God’s Word.
How can we avoid lawlessness? The answer is simple: read God’s word and obey it. When we know what God says, we can better prevent activities that are contrary to His law. Additionally, spending time in prayer and fellowship with other believers will help keep us accountable to living a life that is pleasing to God.
By doing these things, we are not giving lawlessness a chance to take over our lives. Instead, we live according to God’s law and glorify Him in all we do. Eventually, this could guarantee eternal life with Him.
Examples of Lawlessness
There are many examples of lawlessness in the Bible. One is when Cain killed his brother Abel out of jealousy: “Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.” (Genesis 4:8).
Another example is when the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of their wickedness: “Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the Lord out of the heavens. 25 Thus, he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities and the vegetation in the land.” (Genesis 19:24-25).
Lawlessness can also be seen in the way people treat each other. For example, there was a time when people would steal from their neighbors or even kill them. Exodus 22:21-23 says, “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt. 22 “Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. 23 If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.”
In today’s world, lawlessness is alarming. People continue to lie, cheat, steal, and gossip. And some neglect God’s word and choose to worship material things instead of God. Because of these, we can see how broken the world has become. And yet, this state of lawlessness is not the most extreme. As time passes, there will be an increase in wickedness and evil. This is because people are hardening their hearts against God. As 2 Timothy 3:1-5 states:
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”
Saying that this verse speaks of lawlessness that will drastically continue to increase as time passes, we must stick to praying and staying close to God to acclaim salvation.
How Lawlessness Affects Our Lives Today
Since we have not been able to conquer lawlessness, it is still a problem we face daily. It can be something as small as telling a white lie or something as big as stealing or murder. Whatever the case may be, lawlessness is something we should put an end to.
Lawlessness affects our lives in different ways. Some of us might be so broken and battered by it that we give up completely. Others might find themselves caught up in a cycle of lawlessness that hardly sets or breaks them free.
While we may not be able to conquer it all together, there are things we can do to break it. The best thing we can do is to use God as our shield. This means we must trust Him and rely on His strength. We can start by repenting sincerely and turning away from our lawlessness before it might be too late. We can also spread information about the matter and how harmful it can be. Only then can we hope to see a world free from the grip of lawlessness.
Where Do We Go From Here?
If you are struggling with lawlessness, know that you are not alone. Many people face this struggle every day. But no worries; hope is shining within. If we turn to God, He can help us overcome it.
Earnestly praying is an excellent option you can do. Another thing is reading the Bible and finding verses related to lawlessness. This way, it can help you better understand what it is and how to avoid it.
You can also talk to a trusted friend or family member about your struggles. They may be able to provide you with support and encouragement. For example, if you are struggling with addiction, many resources are available to help you. You can join a support group, counseling, or even rehab.
No matter what your struggle is, know that God loves you, and He wants to help you overcome it. He will never leave or forsake you, even when we sometimes forsake Him. Turn to Him today and ask for His guidance and mercy.
Bottom Line
Lawlessness is a failure to obey God’s laws. It is living without regard to His standards. We need to be careful not to let lawlessness creep into our lives. When we do, it will lead to all sorts of problems and heartache. So, we must all strive to live in obedience to God and His laws. This is the only way to experience true freedom and joy in life. Remember always to seek Him amid our struggles and allow Him to be our guide. He is the only one who can help us overcome lawlessness and live a life that is pleasing to Him. As Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life…” (John 14:6).
