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JioSaavn Wednesday Word Study - Disobedience – Episode 15
Key Takeaways
- The Greek word for disobedient, apeithés, translates literally to 'unbelieving' or 'unwilling to be persuaded.'
- Understanding the biblical meaning of disobedience reveals that it is not merely outward sin, but an inner resistance to being persuaded by God.
- Clinging strictly to traditional beliefs or generational teachings without allowing God to expand your understanding can result in unintentional disobedience.
- Maintaining an open mind and a Holy Spirit filter allows believers to grow in truth and avoid the trap of prideful spiritual stagnation.
Disobedience
Transliteration: apeithés
Phonetic Spelling: (ap-i-thace’)
Short Definition: unbelieving, disobedient Definition: unbelieving, disobedient, who will not be persuaded.
Colossians 3:5-7
5) So put to death your worldly impulses: sexual sin, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). 6) It is because of these things that the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. 7) You used to behave like them as you lived among them. 8) But now you must also get rid of anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene speech, and all such sins.
Some time ago I did a Wednesday Word Study on the word ‘repent’, which means to change your mind. When you read the definition of disobedient, it follows along with that precisely. A disobedient person is someone who ‘will not be persuaded’ or will not change their mind! It also says that disobedience is unbelieving.
In doing further research, I found this definition, which I think brings even greater clarity.
Cognate: 545 apeithḗs (an adjective) – literally, unwilling to be persuaded (by God) which shows itself in outward disobedience (outward spiritual rebellion); disobedient because unpersuaded. [Note the root, 3982 /peíthō (“persuade”).]
545 /apeithḗs (“unpersuaded”) begins with the decision to reject what God prefers, with His offer to persuade about His preferred-will (cf. 2307 /thélēma). See 543 (apeitheia).
I think that everyone reading today’s blog can agree that the sins mentioned in verses 5 and 7 are acts of disobedience. But I want to take this even further. If you are unwilling to be persuaded by God—in any area — you are in disobedience.
I’ve written a couple of blogs about what a person believes or comes to believe throughout their life and how it affects their walk with God. If we grow up believing and doing what is told for us to believe from tradition or because Aunt Ida always believed that, then we could very well be living a life that is unpersuaded towards the truth of God.
If we are so entrenched in traditional beliefs that we close our minds to new thoughts about the truth of God, we are literally unwilling to be persuaded by God, and this is disobedience.
When you listen to a new concept about a spiritual precept, don’t shut off your mind because it differs from what you always thought to be true. It just may be that God is trying to show you the truth of the matter, and your unwillingness to listen could prove to be disobedience.
Throughout my journey with the Lord over these last 50 years, I’ve kept an open mind. I am thankful that I did, for my realization of what the truth is has grown and changed many times.
As I have learned and grown, I have realized that I did not have the full truth. I’ve also learned that often a clergy member or someone who is older doesn’t have the whole truth either.
So I decided decades ago to listen with an open mind to whoever was teaching about God or the Bible, but that I would listen openly with a Holy Spirit filter. I would listen prayerfully, asking God to show me what to keep and what to toss.
I decided I was willing to ‘change my mind’ if I felt the new knowledge was correct and accurate. I was determined not to let pride stand in my way of learning all that I could learn, even if it meant admitting that what I thought I knew had been wrong.
I do not want to be disobedient, unwilling to be persuaded, when God is trying to show me more of His truth. So today, as you listen to this blog and other teachers of His word, listen with an open mind and your ear leaning towards the Holy Spirit to show you amazing new things that only He can show you.
Keep an open mind and be willing to be persuaded.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biblical meaning of disobedience?
The biblical meaning of disobedience, derived from the Greek word apeithés, is being 'unbelieving' or 'unwilling to be persuaded' by God, which ultimately leads to outward spiritual rebellion.
How does tradition relate to disobedience according to Colossians?
When believers become so entrenched in traditional beliefs that they close their minds to new truths from God, they mirror the unpersuaded state described in Colossians that leads to disobedience.
Why is it important to keep an open mind when studying the Bible?
Keeping an open mind with a Holy Spirit filter prevents pride from blocking new spiritual insights, allowing you to change your mind and embrace a deeper understanding of God's truth.
Wednesday Word Study - Disobedience – Episode 15
Originally written November 23, 2011
posted here: https://forthesakeofthetruth.com/2011/11/23/wednesday-word-study-disobedience/
Disobedience
Transliteration: apeithés
Phonetic Spelling: (ap-i-thace’)
Short Definition: unbelieving, disobedient Definition: unbelieving, disobedient, who will not be persuaded.
Colossians 3:5-7
5) So put to death your worldly impulses: sexual sin, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). 6) It is because of these things that the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. 7) You used to behave like them as you lived among them. 8) But now you must also get rid of anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene speech, and all such sins.
Some time ago I did a Wednesday Word Study on the word ‘repent’, which means to change your mind. When you read the definition of disobedient, it follows along with that precisely. A disobedient person is someone who ‘will not be persuaded’ or will not change their mind! It also says that disobedience is unbelieving.
In doing further research, I found this definition, which I think brings even greater clarity.
Cognate: 545 apeithḗs (an adjective) – literally, unwilling to be persuaded (by God) which shows itself in outward disobedience (outward spiritual rebellion); disobedient because unpersuaded. [Note the root, 3982 /peíthō (“persuade”).]
545 /apeithḗs (“unpersuaded”) begins with the decision to reject what God prefers, with His offer to persuade about His preferred-will (cf. 2307 /thélēma). See 543 (apeitheia).
I think that everyone reading today’s blog can agree that the sins mentioned in verses 5 and 7 are acts of disobedience. But I want to take this even further. If you are unwilling to be persuaded by God—in any area — you are in disobedience.
I’ve written a couple of blogs about what a person believes or comes to believe throughout their life and how it affects their walk with God. If we grow up believing and doing what is told for us to believe from tradition or because Aunt Ida always believed that, then we could very well be living a life that is unpersuaded towards the truth of God.
If we are so entrenched in traditional beliefs that we close our minds to new thoughts about the truth of God, we are literally unwilling to be persuaded by God, and this is disobedience.
When you listen to a new concept about a spiritual precept, don’t shut off your mind because it differs from what you always thought to be true. It just may be that God is trying to show you the truth of the matter, and your unwillingness to listen could prove to be disobedience.
Throughout my journey with the Lord over these last 50 years, I’ve kept an open mind. I am thankful that I did, for my realization of what the truth is has grown and changed many times.
As I have learned and grown, I have realized that I did not have the full truth. I’ve also learned that often a clergy member or someone who is older doesn’t have the whole truth either.
So I decided decades ago to listen with an open mind to whoever was teaching about God or the Bible, but that I would listen openly with a Holy Spirit filter. I would listen prayerfully, asking God to show me what to keep and what to toss.
I decided I was willing to ‘change my mind’ if I felt the new knowledge was correct and accurate. I was determined not to let pride stand in my way of learning all that I could learn, even if it meant admitting that what I thought I knew had been wrong.
I do not want to be disobedient, unwilling to be persuaded, when God is trying to show me more of His truth. So today, as you listen to this blog and other teachers of His word, listen with an open mind and your ear leaning towards the Holy Spirit to show you amazing new things that only He can show you.
Keep an open mind and be willing to be persuaded.
Each Wednesday I will be posting a Wednesday Word Study to further elaborate on a significant word from the previous Monday’s Meditation episode. On Mondays I focus on one verse to meditate on for the week. On the Wednesday after I drill down to look at one specific word to gain further information and knowledge. Then on the following Friday I will post a teaching pulling it all together. Each week will provide a thorough study into a verse, a word, and then the overall concept.
Shop all versions of my novels here: Shop Here
My Media Website: NancyJacksonPodcast.com
Check out my website: NancyJacksonAuthor.com
Follow me here:
Substack: https://nancyjackson.substack.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyJacksonAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NAJackson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/najackson/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nancyannjackson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NancyJackson
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nancyajackson?lang=en
