Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of biblical literature, the term "creeps" is often associated with individuals who stealthily infiltrate communities or groups with the intent to deceive or corrupt. This concept is primarily derived from the New Testament, where the Apostle Paul and other writers warn against such individuals who pose a threat to the integrity and purity of the Christian faith.
Biblical References:1.
2 Timothy 3:6 : "They are the kind who worm their way into households and captivate vulnerable women who are weighed down with sins and led astray by various passions." In this passage, Paul warns Timothy about false teachers who "creep" into homes, targeting those who are spiritually weak or burdened by sin. These individuals exploit vulnerabilities to lead others away from the truth of the Gospel.
2.
Jude 1:4 : "For certain men have crept in unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." Jude cautions believers about those who have "crept in unnoticed" among them, distorting the message of grace to justify immoral behavior and denying the lordship of Christ.
Characteristics of Creeps:·
Deceptive Nature: Creeps are characterized by their subtle and deceptive approach. They often present themselves as genuine believers or leaders, gaining trust before revealing their true intentions.
·
Moral Corruption: These individuals are frequently associated with moral corruption, using their influence to promote sinful behavior under the guise of freedom or grace.
·
Doctrinal Error: Creeps are often linked to false teachings, distorting core Christian doctrines to suit their purposes. They may deny essential truths about Jesus Christ, leading others into theological error.
·
Targeting the Vulnerable: As seen in
2 Timothy 3:6, creeps often prey on those who are spiritually immature or struggling, exploiting their weaknesses to gain a foothold within the community.
Warnings and Exhortations:The New Testament writers consistently warn the early church to be vigilant against such individuals. Believers are encouraged to:
·
Exercise Discernment: Christians are urged to test teachings and behaviors against the truth of Scripture, ensuring that they align with the apostolic faith (1
John 4:1).
·
Guard the Faith: Paul and Jude both emphasize the importance of contending for the faith and protecting the community from those who would seek to undermine it (
Jude 1:3).
·
Maintain Purity: The church is called to uphold moral and doctrinal purity, resisting the influence of those who would lead others into sin or error (
1 Corinthians 5:6-7).
In summary, the concept of "creeps" in the Bible serves as a cautionary reminder of the ever-present danger of false teachers and deceptive influences within the Christian community. Believers are called to remain steadfast in their faith, discerning in their understanding, and vigilant in their defense of the truth.
Strong's Hebrew
7430. ramas -- to creep, move lightly, move about... ramas. 7431 . to creep, move lightly, move about. Transliteration: ramas Phonetic
Spelling: (raw-mas') Short Definition:
creeps. Word Origin a prim.
...7431. remes -- creeping things, moving things
... Word Origin from ramas Definition creeping things, moving things NASB Word Usage
creeping thing (5), creeping things (9),creeps (1), moving thing (1), swarms...
Library
A Description of Accidie, and the Way in which itCreeps Over the...
... Prolegomena. Chapter II. A description of accidie, and the way in which itcreeps
over the heart of a monk, and the injury it inflicts on the soul....
A Few Nights after This, Diamond Woke up Suddenly...
... Daddy says when a man takes a drink, there's a thirsty devilcreeps into his
inside, because he knows he will always get enough there....
Dying Lamps
... long-protracted dying of summer days, like the dropping of the blood from some fatal
wound, by degrees the process of extinctioncreeps,creeps,creeps on, and...
The King James Version --Its Influence on English and American...
... soul with it. The Puritancreeps into hiding with the Book, while his brother
sails away to the new land with the Book. The settler...
About the Demon that Dwelt in the Woman.
... O thou who art of the deceit that uses shamelessness! O thou who art of the wickedness
thatcreeps like a serpent, and art thyself his kindred!...
Treatise i. On the Unity of the Church.
... The enemy is more to be feared and to be guarded against, when hecreeps on us secretly;
when, deceiving by the appearance of peace, he steals forward by...
Striking Similes
... A breath of melancholy made itself felt like a chill and sudden gust from some
unknown sea. A cloud in the west like a pallcreeps upward....
Of the Soul and the Mind, and their Affections.
... While it is intent upon those things concerning which it is reflecting, sleep suddenly
creeps on, and the thought itself imperceptibly turns aside to the...
The Christians Defamed a Sarcastic Description of Fame; Its...
... In however wide a circuit [549] a report has been circulated, it must needs have
originated some time or other from one mouth; afterwards itcreeps on somehow...
Against Embellishing the Body.
... But in the evening this spurious beautycreeps out to candle-light as out of a hole;
for drunkenness and the dimness of the light aid what they have put on....
Thesaurus
Creeps (13 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Creeps (13 Occurrences). Genesis 1:25 God made
the animals of the earth after their kind, and the livestock
...Livestock (124 Occurrences)
... Genesis 1:25 God made the animals of the earth after their kind, and the livestock
after their kind, and everything thatcreeps on the ground after its kind....
Moves (30 Occurrences)
... Genesis 7:14 they, and every animal after its kind, all the livestock after their
kind, every creeping thing thatcreeps on the earth after its kind, and every...
Creeping (43 Occurrences)
... over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock,
and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing thatcreeps on the earth...
Bird (65 Occurrences)
... Genesis 1:30 To every animal of the earth, and to every bird of the sky, and to
everything thatcreeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every...
Animals (224 Occurrences)
... Genesis 1:25 God made the animals of the earth after their kind, and the livestock
after their kind, and everything thatcreeps on the ground after its kind....
Move (113 Occurrences)
... over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock,
and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing thatcreeps on the earth...
Including (90 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Genesis 7:21 All flesh died that moved on the earth, including birds, livestock,
animals, every creeping thing thatcreeps on the earth, and every man....
Creep (8 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To move in a stealthy or secret manner; to move imperceptibly or clandestinely;
to steal in; to insinuate itself or one's self; as, agecreeps upon us....
Animal (163 Occurrences)
... Genesis 1:25 God made the animals of the earth after their kind, and the livestock
after their kind, and everything thatcreeps on the ground after its kind....
Resources
What is man / mankind / humanity? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about animal/pet euthanasia? | GotQuestions.orgWho was King Saul in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgCreeps: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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