Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of being "attracted" can be understood in various dimensions, including physical attraction, spiritual attraction, and the attraction to sin or righteousness. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that illustrate these different aspects of attraction.
Physical Attraction:Physical attraction is acknowledged in the Bible, often in the context of relationships and marriage. One of the most notable examples is the attraction between Jacob and Rachel.
Genesis 29:17-18 states, "Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was shapely and beautiful. Jacob loved Rachel and said, 'I will serve you seven years for your younger daughter Rachel.'" This passage highlights the natural human inclination towards physical beauty and the desire it can inspire.
The Song of Solomon is another book that vividly describes physical attraction and romantic love. In
Song of Solomon 4:7 , the lover expresses admiration, saying, "You are altogether beautiful, my darling; in you there is no flaw." This poetic book celebrates the beauty and attraction between a bride and groom, symbolizing both human love and, allegorically, the love between God and His people.
Spiritual Attraction:Beyond physical attraction, the Bible emphasizes the importance of spiritual attraction, which is rooted in the qualities of the heart and spirit.
Proverbs 31:30 states, "Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." This verse underscores the value of spiritual attributes over mere physical appearance.
The New Testament also speaks to spiritual attraction, particularly in the context of the Christian community. In
1 Peter 3:3-4 , believers are encouraged, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight."
Attraction to Sin:The Bible warns against the attraction to sin, which can lead individuals away from God.
James 1:14-15 explains, "But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." This passage illustrates the process by which attraction to sinful desires can result in spiritual downfall.
The account of David and Bathsheba in
2 Samuel 11 serves as a cautionary tale of how physical attraction can lead to sin. David's attraction to Bathsheba, another man's wife, led to adultery and a series of tragic events. This narrative highlights the consequences of allowing sinful attraction to override moral and spiritual convictions.
Attraction to Righteousness:Conversely, the Bible encourages believers to be attracted to righteousness and godly living.
Psalm 42:1 expresses a deep spiritual longing: "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God." This verse captures the essence of spiritual attraction towards God and His righteousness.
Jesus, in the Beatitudes, speaks to the blessedness of those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, promising that "they will be filled" (
Matthew 5:6). This attraction to righteousness is a hallmark of a life transformed by faith and the Holy Spirit.
In summary, the Bible addresses the concept of attraction in various forms, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's attractions with God's will and purposes. Whether in relationships, spiritual pursuits, or moral choices, the Scriptures provide guidance on how to navigate the complexities of attraction in a way that honors God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Attract.
Strong's Hebrew
1692. dabaq -- to cling, cleave, keep close... to cling, cleave, keep close NASB Word Usage cleaves (4), cling (14), clings (3),
closely pursued (1), closer (1), clung (4), deeply
attracted (1), fasten its
...2530. chamad -- to desire, take pleasure in
... root Definition to desire, take pleasure in NASB Word Usageattracted (1), covet
(6), coveted (1), delight (1), desirable (2), desire (1), desired (2), desires...
Library
"Attracted by the Influence"
... CHAPTER XIX "Attracted by the Influence". "It seems to have been a mistake
to imagine that the Divine Majesty on high was too exalted...
How Some Persons are UnconsciouslyAttracted by God.
... PART THE FIRST. CHAPTER I. HOW SOME PERSONS ARE UNCONSCIOUSLYATTRACTED
BY GOD. Her have I loved, and have sought her out from my...
Of Earthly Bodies, which the Philosophers Affirm Cannot be in...
... 18."Of Earthly Bodies, Which the Philosophers Affirm Cannot Be in Heavenly Places,
Because Whatever is of Earth is by Its Natural WeightAttracted to Earth....
The Right to what I Consider a Normal Standard of Living
... We areattracted to those who seem the same as ourselves, and turn (perhaps
unconsciously) from those who seem queer and different....
Causes of Corruption Chiefly Intentional.
... many critics,"which, strange to relate, have arisen from nothing else but the proneness
of words standing side by side in a sentence to beattracted into a...
Examples from Nature Proving that Bodies May Remain Unconsumed and...
... When I first saw it I was thunderstruck, for I saw an iron ringattracted and suspended
by the stone; and then, as if it had communicated its own property to...
The Relation of Manich??ism to Christianity.
... Yet pagan ascetical ideas had already invaded the Church long before the time of
Mani, and many Christians were in a position to beattracted strongly by the...
Basil -- the Creation of the World
... and Egypt.Attracted during his travels to the religious life, he secluded
himself in a lonely spot in inclement Pontus. During...
Christianity Requires the Temper of Childhood.
... He who is notattracted by the ingenuousness, and trustfulness, and simplicity,
of the first period of human life, is certainly wanting in the finest and most...
Against Excessive Fondness for Jewels and Gold Ornaments.
... For to rush after stones that are pellucid and of peculiar colours, and stained
glass, is only characteristic of silly people, who areattracted by things that...
Thesaurus
Attracted (4 Occurrences)... (imp. & pp) of Attract. Multi-Version Concordance
Attracted (4 Occurrences). Acts
27:39 When daylight came, they tried in vain to recognise the coast.
...Sparrow (4 Occurrences)
... is alone upon the housetop" was because it is the most unusual thing in the world
for a sparrow to sit mourning alone, and therefore itattracted attention and...
Galilee (73 Occurrences)
... The great variety and abundance of the fish in the lakeattracted to its shores
a larger and more varied population than existed elsewhere in Palestine...
Phoenicians
... The southern portion of Asia Minor alsoattracted them at an early date, especially
the rich plains of Cilicia, and Tarsus became the most important of their...
Phoenicia (6 Occurrences)
... The southern portion of Asia Minor alsoattracted them at an early date, especially
the rich plains of Cilicia, and Tarsus became the most important of their...
Rome (12 Occurrences)
... The plebeians were descendants of former slaves and dependents, or of strangers
who had beenattracted to Rome by the obvious advantages for industry and trade...
Object (76 Occurrences)
... But an inlet with a sandy beachattracted their attention, and now their object
was, if possible, to run the ship aground in this inlet. (WEY)....
Jezreel (37 Occurrences)
...Attracted, doubtless, by the fine position and natural charms of the place, he made
it one of his royal residences, building here a palace (1 Kings 21:1). This...
Jazer (13 Occurrences)
... The country was very fertile, and its spacious pasture-landsattracted the
flock-masters of Gad (Numbers 32:1), the southern border of whose territory it...
Liking (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The state of being pleased with, orattracted toward, some thing or person;
hence, inclination; desire; pleasure; preference; -- often with for...
Resources
Is it biblically allowable for a pastor to be gay? | GotQuestions.orgHow important is physical attraction when looking for a spouse? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about gangs? | GotQuestions.orgAttracted: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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