Bible Verses

The Best 50+ Bible Verses About Turning Away From God

Created:
February 9, 2025
|
Updated:
February 17, 2025
|
Author:
Joseph Cox

Sometimes, life takes us down paths where we feel distant from God. This article brings together 50 Bible verses that speak to those moments of turning away.

These verses offer insight and reflection, helping us understand the consequences and emotions tied to such experiences. They serve as a reminder of the importance of staying connected to our faith.

50 Bible Verses About Turning Away From God

10 Bible Verses on Consequences of Turning Away From God

Deuteronomy 28:15
  • "But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you." — Deuteronomy 28:15
  • "Your own wickedness will correct you, and your backslidings will rebuke you. Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing that you have forsaken the Lord your God, and the fear of Me is not in you,” says the Lord God of hosts." — Jeremiah 2:19
  • "Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes." — Proverbs 1:24-26
  • "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear." — Isaiah 59:2
  • "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." — Galatians 6:7
  • "For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries." — Hebrews 10:26-27
  • "Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord God. “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin." — Ezekiel 18:30
  • "These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power." — 2 Thessalonians 1:9
  • "But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tested God in the desert. And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul." — Psalm 106:14-15
  • "We have transgressed and rebelled; You have not pardoned. You have covered Yourself with anger and pursued us; You have slain and not pitied." — Lamentations 3:42-43

10 Bible Verses on Warnings Against Turning Away From God

Hebrews 3:12
  • "Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God." — Hebrews 3:12
  • "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons." — 1 Timothy 4:1
  • "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death." — James 1:14-15
  • "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold." — Matthew 24:12
  • "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life." — Proverbs 4:23
  • "You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked." — 2 Peter 3:17
  • "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." — Revelation 3:15-16
  • "Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’" — Ezekiel 33:11
  • "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." — Colossians 2:8
  • "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." — 1 Corinthians 10:12

10 Bible Verses on Signs of Turning Away From God

1 John 2:19
  • "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us." — 1 John 2:19
  • "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’" — Matthew 7:21-23
  • "Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools." — Romans 1:21-22
  • "Having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" — 2 Timothy 3:5
  • "You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you." — Galatians 5:7-8
  • "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent." — Revelation 2:4-5
  • "With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!" — Psalm 119:10
  • "Therefore the Lord said: 'Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men.'" — Isaiah 29:13
  • "Thus says the Lord: 'Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord.'" — Jeremiah 17:5
  • "But Jesus said to him, 'No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.'" — Luke 9:62

10 Bible Verses on Repentance After Turning Away From God

Acts 3:19
  • "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." — Acts 3:19
  • "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." — 1 John 1:9
  • "For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord God. “Therefore turn and live!" — Ezekiel 18:32
  • "Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm." — Joel 2:12-13
  • "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." — 2 Chronicles 7:14
  • "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." — Psalm 51:10
  • "I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.’" — Luke 15:18-19
  • "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." — Matthew 11:28
  • "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." — Isaiah 55:7
  • "Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?" — Romans 2:4

10 Bible Verses on Hope After Turning Away From God

Jeremiah 29:11
  • "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." — Jeremiah 29:11
  • "Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." — Lamentations 3:22-23
  • "Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea." — Micah 7:18-19
  • "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." — 2 Corinthians 5:17
  • "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)." — Ephesians 2:4-5
  • "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." — Romans 8:1
  • "For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." — Psalm 30:5
  • "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." — Isaiah 40:31
  • "But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you." — 1 Peter 5:10
  • "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." — Revelation 21:4

What Does the Bible Say About Turning Away From God

Turning away from God is a theme that resonates deeply in the Bible. The verses we've shared highlight the consequences, warnings, signs, repentance, and hope associated with this spiritual journey. These passages offer a roadmap for understanding and navigating our relationship with God, especially during times when we feel distant.

One key theme is the consequences of turning away from God. Verses like Deuteronomy 28:15 and Isaiah 59:2 remind us that straying from God's path can lead to hardships and separation from His blessings. These scriptures serve as a wake-up call, urging us to stay true to our faith to avoid such outcomes.

Warnings against turning away are also prevalent. Hebrews 3:12 and 1 Timothy 4:1 caution us about the dangers of unbelief and being led astray by false teachings. These verses encourage us to remain vigilant and steadfast in our faith, recognizing the subtle ways we might drift away.

Signs of turning away from God are evident in passages like 1 John 2:19 and Matthew 7:21-23. These scriptures highlight behaviors and attitudes that indicate a departure from God's will. By recognizing these signs, we can take proactive steps to realign ourselves with His teachings.

Despite the challenges, the Bible offers hope and a path to repentance. Verses like Acts 3:19 and 1 John 1:9 emphasize God's willingness to forgive and restore us. This message of hope reassures us that no matter how far we've strayed, we can always return to God's loving embrace.

How to Apply These Bible Verses About Turning Away From God

Applying Bible teachings about turning away from God in real life is crucial for maintaining a strong and meaningful faith. These verses offer guidance and wisdom that can help us stay connected to God and avoid spiritual pitfalls.

Here are some practical steps to live out these biblical principles:

  • Daily Prayer: Start and end your day with prayer, asking God for guidance and strength to stay on His path.
  • Read the Bible: Set aside time each day to read and reflect on Bible verses. This helps keep God's word fresh in your mind.
  • Join a Community: Engage with a faith community through church, Bible study groups, or online forums. Sharing your journey with others can provide support and accountability.
  • Practice Gratitude: Keep a gratitude journal to remind yourself of God's blessings and stay focused on His goodness.
  • Serve Others: Volunteer your time and resources to help those in need. Acts of service can strengthen your faith and bring you closer to God.
  • Self-Reflection: Regularly examine your actions and attitudes to ensure they align with God's teachings. Repent and seek forgiveness when you fall short.

Remember, God is always with you, ready to guide and support you. Faith-driven transformation is possible, no matter how far you've strayed. Stay committed to these practices, and you'll find your relationship with God growing stronger each day.

For more prayers and Bible verses, visit PrayersFor or try our Bible Verse Generator to deepen your understanding and faith.

Start Your Day with Faith and Inspiration!
Sign up to receive a daily prayer and Bible verse straight to your inbox. Begin each morning with words of hope and guidance.
Thank you! 🙏
Oops! Something went wrong, please try again.
OTHER RELATED PRAYERS & VERSES