There are moments when you look around and wonder, “Why does it seem like people no longer care about what is right?” Truth is sometimes treated as an inconvenience. Kindness can be mistaken for weakness. Dishonesty is excused when it benefits someone. Anger spreads quickly, forgiveness becomes difficult, and things that once caused people to pause and think can gradually become normal.
The Bible has a powerful word for this condition: lawlessness. Jesus Himself warned about it. Speaking about the last days, He said:
“Because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” Matthew 24:12
That verse is both a warning and a call to spiritual alertness. Jesus was not telling His followers to become afraid of the future. He was preparing them to remain faithful in difficult times.
Lawlessness is not simply about people breaking government laws. Biblically, it is much deeper. It describes rebellion against God's authority, rejection of His righteous ways, and a willingness to live according to personal desires rather than God's truth. And while it is easy to look at the world and identify lawlessness around us, God's Word invites us to look inward too.
Is there any area of my own life where I am resisting God? That question makes this subject personal.
What Does Lawlessness Mean in the Bible?
First John 3:4 gives us one of the clearest biblical definitions: “Sin is lawlessness.”
In simple terms, lawlessness is living in rebellion against God's will. God has given His Word to guide humanity toward righteousness, holiness, love, justice, wisdom, and obedience. When people deliberately reject God's authority and choose sin instead, they are walking in lawlessness.
It is possible for lawlessness to begin quietly. A person compromises once. Then they compromise again. Eventually, what once troubled their conscience no longer bothers them. The heart slowly becomes comfortable with something God has warned against. This is why Jesus focused so much attention on the heart. In Mark 7:21-23, He explained that evil actions come from within, including sinful thoughts, pride, deceit, and other forms of wickedness.
Lawlessness is therefore not merely an external problem. It is a heart problem.
Lawlessness Is Rebellion Against God's Authority
One of the deepest issues behind lawlessness is the refusal to let God be God. Instead of asking, “What does God say?”, the heart begins asking: “What do I want?” Instead of surrendering to God's wisdom, people decide that their own understanding is enough.
Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”
- Something can feel right and still be wrong.
- Something can be popular and still be sinful.
- Something can be accepted by society and still be contrary to God's Word.
This is why Christians need biblical discernment.
Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
When the world becomes morally confusing, Scripture gives us a stable foundation.
Jesus Warned That Lawlessness Would Increase
Jesus' warning in Matthew 24 deserves serious attention. He spoke about deception, false prophets, persecution, wars, and difficult events associated with the last days. For a closer look at His specific teachings on this subject, study what Jesus taught about lawlessness.
Then He said:
“Because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.”
Notice the connection between lawlessness and love growing cold. This is something we can easily overlook. Lawlessness does not only produce sinful actions. It can also damage the human heart. When people continually reject God's ways, selfishness can become stronger. For a closer look at what Scripture says about this growing condition, read our guide to lawlessness and the last days.
- Compassion can become weaker.
- Forgiveness can become harder.
- Hatred can become easier.
People can become so accustomed to conflict that peace begins to feel strange. Yet Jesus did not tell His followers to become cold because the world would become cold.
He said:
“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:13
The answer to increasing lawlessness is endurance.
- Stay with Christ.
- Keep believing.
- Keep praying.
- Keep loving.
- Keep obeying.
Signs of Lawlessness in the Bible
1. Rejection of God's Truth
One major sign of lawlessness is when people reject God's authority and decide that truth is whatever they personally want it to be. Isaiah 5:20 gives a serious warning:
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.”
This describes a reversal of moral values. When this happens, sin may be celebrated while righteousness is mocked. Christians must respond carefully. We should never compromise biblical truth simply because truth is unpopular. At the same time, standing for truth does not give us permission to become arrogant or cruel.
Ephesians 4:15 encourages believers to speak “the truth in love.” Truth without love can become harsh. Love without truth can become compromise. Christ calls us to both.
2. Sin Becomes Normal
Lawlessness becomes particularly dangerous when people stop being troubled by sin. Romans 1:32 describes people who not only practice sinful things but approve of others who do them. That is a deeper level of moral decline.
- Sin can become entertainment.
- Immorality can become ordinary.
- Dishonesty can become cleverness.
- Greed can become ambition.
- Pride can become confidence.
This is why Christians must guard their hearts.
Proverbs 4:23 “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”
What you repeatedly expose yourself to can influence what eventually feels normal. Be careful what you allow into your heart. The Bible also gives us real situations that show how rebellion against God can appear in people's lives. You can explore these biblical examples of lawlessness to see the pattern more clearly.
3. Love Grows Cold
Jesus specifically mentioned this in Matthew 24:12. When lawlessness increases, people may become more selfish and less compassionate.
- You see it when forgiveness disappears.
- You see it when people enjoy seeing others fail.
- You see it when anger becomes the first response to disagreement.
- You see it when people stop caring about those who are hurting.
But followers of Jesus are called to live differently. First Corinthians 13:4-7 describes love as patient, kind, humble, enduring, and not self-seeking. A lawless world needs Christians whose love has not gone cold.
4. Pride and Self-Love Increase
Second Timothy 3:1-5 describes difficult conditions in the last days. Paul warns about people becoming lovers of themselves, lovers of money, proud, abusive, disobedient, ungrateful, unholy, and without self-control.
Notice where the description begins: “Lovers of self.” A heart completely centered on self has little room for surrender to God. Christianity calls us in the opposite direction.
Jesus said:
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24
Following Jesus means surrender. It means sometimes saying no to ourselves because we want to say yes to God.
5. Religious Appearance Without Obedience
Lawlessness can even exist around religious activity. Jesus warned in Matthew 7:21 that not everyone who calls Him “Lord” will enter God's kingdom, but the one who does the Father's will. This is a serious reminder. Christianity is not simply about knowing Bible verses.
- It is not only about attending church.
- It is not about appearing spiritual in front of people.
God wants genuine surrender.
James 1:22 “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.”
Our faith should affect how we treat people, handle money, respond to temptation, speak to others, forgive, work, love, and make decisions.
The Man of Lawlessness
The Bible also speaks about a particular figure known as “the man of lawlessness.”
Paul describes him in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 as a person associated with rebellion against God who exalts himself against God. This rebellion is also connected to a deeper spiritual reality discussed in Scripture. To understand it further, see our guide on the spirit behind lawlessness.
This passage points toward a serious expression of evil and rebellion connected with the events surrounding Christ's return. But Christians should approach prophecy with humility. It is easy to become fascinated with trying to identify every world leader, political event, or headline as a fulfillment of prophecy.
Jesus' teaching should lead us somewhere more practical. Be ready.
Matthew 24:44 “Therefore you also must be ready.”
Being ready for Christ does not mean living in panic. It means living faithfully.
The Danger of Lawlessness Inside the Church
Perhaps one of the most uncomfortable truths is that lawlessness is not only a problem outside Christianity. It can affect believers too.
- A Christian may know God's Word but ignore it.
- A person may attend church while secretly nurturing unforgiveness.
- Someone may speak about holiness while living a double life.
- Someone may criticize the sins of others while refusing to confront their own.
Jesus warned about hypocrisy because outward religion can hide an inward problem. This is why David prayed:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” — Psalm 139:23
That is a prayer every Christian can pray. “Lord, show me anything in me that does not please You.” Sometimes God's correction hurts. But His correction is an expression of love.
Hebrews 12:6 teaches that the Lord disciplines those He loves. When God exposes something in our lives, He is not trying to destroy us. He is calling us back to Him.
How Should Christians Respond to Lawlessness?
● Stay Rooted in Scripture
Do not allow the noise of the world to become louder than the voice of God's Word.
Jesus said:
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Matthew 24:35
Read Scripture regularly.
- Study it carefully.
- Let it challenge your opinions.
- Let it correct your behavior.
- Let it strengthen your faith.
● Guard Your Heart
Do not become so focused on the lawlessness of other people that you ignore your own spiritual condition. Ask God to keep your heart clean.
Watch for bitterness, pride, jealousy, lust, unforgiveness, greed, and compromise. Small things that are ignored can eventually become strongholds.
● Keep Loving People
Romans 12:21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
This does not mean pretending evil is acceptable. It means refusing to allow evil to change your character.
- If someone is hateful, you do not have to become hateful.
- If someone lies, you do not have to lie.
- If someone treats you badly, you can still choose to respond with grace.
That is the difference Christ makes in a person's life.
● Refuse to Compromise
Daniel gives us a beautiful example.
Daniel 1:8 “Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself.”
He made a decision to remain faithful. There will be moments when following Christ costs you something.
- You may lose popularity.
- You may be misunderstood.
- You may have to say no when everyone else is saying yes.
But obedience is worth more than applause.
● Pray Instead of Living in Fear
- When you see lawlessness increasing, pray.
- When your family is struggling, pray.
- When society seems unstable, pray.
- When you are tempted, pray.
- When you do not understand what God is doing, pray.
Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
You do not have to understand everything to trust God.
- He sees what you cannot see.
- He knows what you do not know.
- And He remains faithful.
Lawlessness Will Not Win
The Bible's message does not end with lawlessness. It ends with the victory of God. Second Thessalonians 2:8 says that Jesus will ultimately destroy the lawless one by the breath of His mouth.
Revelation 21:4 gives believers another beautiful promise:
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more.”
The darkness is real, but it is not eternal. Christ remains King. God remains sovereign. His promises remain true. That is why Christians can face uncertain times with hope.
A Personal Word for You
- Maybe the things happening around you have made you tired.
- Maybe you are discouraged by the direction society is taking.
- Maybe you sometimes wonder whether righteousness still matters.
It does.
- Your obedience matters.
- Your prayers matter.
- Your kindness matters.
- Your decision to forgive matters.
- Your decision to remain sexually pure matters.
- Your honesty matters.
- Your refusal to compromise matters.
Even when nobody notices, God sees. Galatians 6:9 encourages us:
“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
So don't give up.
- Do not allow the lawlessness around you to steal your love for God.
- Do not let the sins you see every day make you comfortable with sin.
- Do not let the darkness around you become darkness within you.
Keep your eyes on Jesus.
Conclusion: Stay Faithful When Lawlessness Increases
The Bible's warning about lawlessness is ultimately a call to faithfulness. Lawlessness means rebellion against God's righteous authority, and Scripture warns that it will increase, particularly as the last days unfold. Jesus also warned that increasing lawlessness would cause the love of many to grow cold. But we do not have to become cold.
- We can remain different.
- We can continue loving when others hate.
- We can continue telling the truth when deception is popular.
- We can continue pursuing holiness when sin becomes normal.
- We can continue praying when fear tells us to give up.
- And we can continue trusting God when the future feels uncertain.
Jesus has already told us that difficult times will come. Our responsibility is not to live terrified of them. Our responsibility is to stay close to Christ. So guard your heart. Stay in God's Word. Pray continually. Walk in obedience. Love people. Refuse compromise. And keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. The world may become darker, but the light of Christ has not gone out. And as long as we remain in Him, we can keep shining.
Related Bible Teaching:
Comments
Post a Comment