Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "displeasing" in the Bible often relates to actions, attitudes, or behaviors that are contrary to God's will and character, resulting in divine disapproval or anger. This entry explores various instances and themes related to what is considered displeasing to God, as depicted in the Scriptures.
Old Testament Instances1.
Idolatry and Unfaithfulness: One of the most significant displeasing actions in the Old Testament is idolatry. The Israelites' repeated turning to other gods provoked God's anger. In
Judges 2:11-12 , it is recorded, "And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. They forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them, and they provoked the LORD to anger."
2.
Disobedience: Disobedience to God's commands is another major theme. King Saul's failure to fully obey God's command regarding the Amalekites led to his rejection as king. In
1 Samuel 15:22-23 , Samuel says, "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king."
3.
Injustice and Oppression: The prophets frequently spoke against social injustices and oppression, which were displeasing to God. In
Isaiah 1:16-17 , God calls for repentance, saying, "Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil! Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow."
New Testament Insights1.
Hypocrisy: Jesus often rebuked the Pharisees and religious leaders for their hypocrisy, which was displeasing to God. In
Matthew 23:27-28 , Jesus declares, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."
2.
Lack of Faith: A lack of faith is also highlighted as displeasing to God. In
Hebrews 11:6 , it is stated, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."
3.
Worldly Living: The New Testament warns against conforming to worldly standards, which can be displeasing to God. In
Romans 12:2 , Paul exhorts believers, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God."
Theological ImplicationsThe concept of what is displeasing to God underscores the importance of aligning one's life with God's will and character. It highlights the need for obedience, faith, and righteousness, as well as the rejection of idolatry, hypocrisy, and injustice. The Bible consistently calls believers to live in a manner that is pleasing to God, reflecting His holiness and love in their actions and relationships.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Displease.
2. (a.) Causing displeasure or dissatisfaction; offensive; disagreeable.
Greek
4561. sarx -- flesh... Thus what is " ()" is by definition
displeasing to the Lord -- even things that
"respectable!" In short, generally relates to , ie decisions (actions) that
...Strong's Hebrew
7451a. ra -- bad, evil... 23), bad* (2), badly (1), deadly (1), defamed* (1), defames* (1), defect* (1),
destroying (1), displease* (1), displeased (1),
displeasing (1), distressing (1
...7489a. raa -- to be evil, bad
... 1), brought calamity (1), brought harm (1), damaged (1), disagreeable (1), displease*
(1), displeased (2), displeased* (4),displeasing (6), distressed (2), do...
Library
Whether Contrition is the Greatest Possible Sorrow in the World?
... But there are many things moredispleasing to the contrite than their past sins;
for they would not prefer to suffer the pains of hell rather than to sin....
Whether Penance Can be Continuous?
... contrary to penance, so as to destroy the habitual disposition of the penitent,
and by being resolved that his past sins should always bedispleasing to him....
And Some Indeed, who are Used to Excuse their Own Sins...
... Him. For, if they weredispleasing, say they, surely by His most Almighty
power He would by no means suffer them to take place....
On the Feast of a Holy Bishop
... You know, dear children, that no sins are sodispleasing to the God of Gods, as
the haughty arrogance and the proud boasting of man in his own name; because...
Letter ix. --The Love of Creatures and of God.
... On the fear ofdispleasing God, and deceiving others.... If this great fear ofdispleasing
God were anything else but a trial I could very easily dispel it....
Adorable and Eternal God! Hast Thou Made Me a Free Agent! and...
... That having the power of pleasing ordispleasing, I might be the friend of
God! Of all exaltations in all worlds this is the greatest....
Pride Even in Such Things as are done Aright must be Avoided. Free...
... So will He bestow on us whatever pleases Him, that if there be anything
displeasing to Him in us, it will also bedispleasing to us....
Whether the Damned Hate God?
... Since, then, He is goodness by His essence, He cannot in Himself bedispleasing
to any will; wherefore whoever sees Him in His essence cannot hate Him....
On Pleasing all Men
... Now "cruelty, malice, envy, hatred, and revenge" aredispleasing to all good men,
to all who are endued with sound understanding and genuine piety....
How it Often Happens that a Discourse which Gives Pleasure to the...
... who require to be instructed in the faith are brought so frequently to you, ought
to help you to understand that your discourse is notdispleasing to others as...
Thesaurus
Displeasing (31 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Displeasing (31 Occurrences). 1
... midst. They are
displeasing to God, and are the enemies of all mankind; (WEY).
...Displeasure (12 Occurrences)
Distressed (70 Occurrences)
... Genesis 45:5 and now, be not grieved, nor let it bedispleasing in your eyes that
ye sold me hither, for to preserve life hath God sent me before you....
Unpleasant (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not pleasant; not amiable or agreeable;displeasing;
offensive. Multi-Version Concordance Unpleasant (3 Occurrences)....
Unacceptable (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not acceptable; not pleasing; not welcome; unpleasant;
disagreeable;displeasing; offensive. Multi-Version Concordance...
Offensive (15 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Giving offense; causing displeasure or
resentment;displeasing; annoying; as, offensive words....
Exceedingly (167 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 18:8 And it isdispleasing to Saul exceedingly, and this thing is evil
in his eyes, and he saith, 'They have given to David myriads, and to me they...
Lengthening (5 Occurrences)
... and the Ashdodites, that lengthening hath gone up to the walls of Jerusalem, that
the breeches have begun to be stopped, then it is verydispleasing to them...
Enemies (317 Occurrences)
... and drove us out of their midst. They aredispleasing to God, and are the
enemies of all mankind; (WEY). Hebrews 1:13 But which of...
Damn
... 3. (vt) To condemn as bad ordispleasing, by open expression, as by denunciation,
hissing, hooting, etc. 4. (vi) To invoke damnation; to curse. Int....
Resources
Do gay people go to heaven? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Romans Road to salvation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat should a Christian do when convictions violate a tolerant society? | GotQuestions.orgDispleasing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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