Get the App

What Does the Bible Say About Waywardness?

Scripture reveals that waywardness—turning from God's path to follow our own desires—always produces consequences, yet God's invitation to return is always standing.

Scripture on Waywardness

Proverbs 14:14 Old Testament
"The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways."
Isaiah 53:6 Old Testament
"We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
2 Peter 2:15 New Testament
"They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness."
Jeremiah 3:22 Old Testament
"Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding. Yes, we will come to you, for you are the Lord our God."
Luke 15:11-12 New Testament
"Jesus continued: A certain man had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them."
The Bottom Line
Your straying isn't a surprise to God; His arms are open for your return.
Try Today

Identify one area where you've drifted from God's way—not out of ignorance but out of choice—and tell Him about it honestly in prayer, without excuses.

Prayer

Jesus said, 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28)—including those who have wandered.

Father, I confess I have turned from Your way to follow my own desires. I've walked paths that promised freedom but delivered only emptiness. I'm tired of the distance between us. I'm asking You to do what only You can do—turn my heart back to You, and give me the strength to walk the way You've laid out. I surrender this waywardness to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

📚 Read Luke 15 — the parables of the lost sheep, lost coin, and lost son show how God pursues the wandering.

Explore any Bible topic instantly

Search what the Bible says about anything — free, fast, and faith-first.

🍎 Download on the
App Store ▶️ Get it on
Google Play

Related Topics

What does the Bible say about Purpose?What does the Bible say about Mercy?What does the Bible say about Fathers?What does the Bible say about Rest?What does the Bible say about Money?What does the Bible say about Trust?