Complete Bible Study Guide

What Does the Bible Say About Turning Away From God?

10 Scripture references with full text and commentary

Understanding Turning Away From God in the Bible

Explore what the Bible says about turning away from god. This collection of 13 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme.

10
Total Verses
5
Old Testament
5
New Testament

Top 10 Verses About Turning Away From God

  1. 1
    Joshua 23:12
    Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:
    KJV
  2. 2
    Proverbs 14:12
    There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
    KJV
  3. 3
    Isaiah 53:6
    All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. laid: Heb. made the iniquity of us all to meet on him
    KJV
  4. 4
    Isaiah 59:2
    But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. have hid: or, have made him hide
    KJV
  5. 5
    Ezekiel 33:11
    Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
    KJV
  6. 6
    John 6:64
    But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
    KJV
  7. 7
    John 15:5
    I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing . without me: or, severed from me
    KJV
  8. 8
    Romans 5:8
    But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
    KJV
  9. 9
    Hebrews 6:4
    For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
    KJV
  10. 10
    Hebrews 10:26
    For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
    KJV

Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Turning Away From God? (5 Verses)

Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. laid: Heb. made the iniquity of us all to meet on him
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. have hid: or, have made him hide
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Turning Away From God? (5 Verses)

But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing . without me: or, severed from me
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

How to Study What the Bible Says About Turning Away From God

  1. 1

    Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.

  2. 2

    Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about turning away from god. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.

  3. 3

    Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.

  4. 4

    Memorise at least one key verse about turning away from god and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.

Practical Application

Studying what the Bible says about turning away from god is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:

  • Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on turning away from god needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.

  • Share what you have learned about turning away from god with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.

  • Pray through the key verses about turning away from god, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.

How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Turning Away From God?

You have studied 10 verses about turning away from god. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about turning away from god?
Explore what the Bible says about turning away from god. This collection of 13 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme. The Bible contains 10 key verses about turning away from god spanning both Old and New Testaments.
How many Bible verses about turning away from god are there?
There are 10 key Bible verses about turning away from god compiled in this study guide, drawn from books across both the Old and New Testaments.
What is the best verse about turning away from god?
One of the most well-known and frequently cited verses about turning away from god is Joshua 23:12 — "Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them,..."
Where in the Bible does it talk about turning away from god?
Turning Away From God is discussed throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. You can find 10 references to this topic across multiple books including the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and the Epistles.

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