Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Nature:Consciousness, in a biblical context, refers to the state of being aware of and able to think about one's own existence, thoughts, and surroundings. It encompasses the faculties of perception, self-awareness, and the ability to discern right from wrong. The Bible, while not explicitly using the term "consciousness," addresses the concept through discussions of the mind, heart, and spirit.
Biblical References and Themes:1.
Creation and the Image of God: The Bible begins with the creation of humanity in the image of God, which implies a unique consciousness.
Genesis 1:27 states, "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." This divine image includes the capacity for rational thought, moral discernment, and spiritual awareness.
2.
The Heart and Mind: Scripture often uses the terms "heart" and "mind" to describe aspects of human consciousness.
Proverbs 4:23 advises, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." The heart is seen as the center of thought and intention, influencing one's actions and relationship with God.
3.
Moral Awareness and Conscience: The Bible speaks to the role of conscience as a component of consciousness that discerns moral truth.
Romans 2:15 notes, "They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts either accusing or defending them." This suggests an innate awareness of God's moral law.
4.
Spiritual Awakening and Renewal: Consciousness is also linked to spiritual awakening and renewal.
Ephesians 4:23-24 encourages believers to "be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." This renewal involves a transformation of consciousness aligned with God's will.
5.
Sin and the Darkening of Understanding: Sin is depicted as having a detrimental effect on human consciousness.
Ephesians 4:18 describes those who are "darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts." Sin clouds moral and spiritual awareness, leading to separation from God.
6.
The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in enlightening and guiding human consciousness.
John 16:13 states, "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth." The Spirit aids believers in understanding divine truths and aligning their consciousness with God's purposes.
7.
Eternal Consciousness: The Bible also addresses the concept of eternal consciousness, particularly in the context of life after death.
Revelation 20:12 speaks of the final judgment, where "the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books." This implies a continued awareness and accountability beyond earthly life.
Implications for Believers:Believers are called to cultivate a consciousness that is attuned to God's will, characterized by a renewed mind and a pure heart.
Romans 12:2 exhorts, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." This transformation involves a conscious effort to live in accordance with biblical principles and to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all aspects of life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The state of being conscious; knowledge of one's own existence, condition, sensations, mental operations, acts, etc.
2. (n.) Immediate knowledge or perception of the presence of any object, state, or sensation.
3. (n.) Feeling, persuasion, or expectation; esp., inward sense of guilt or innocence.
Greek
4893. suneidesis --consciousness, spec. conscience... 4892, 4893. suneidesis. 4894 .
consciousness, spec.
... Jn 1:4,7,9; Gen 1:26,27).
["Conscience (4893 ) is an discernment, self-judging
consciousness" ().].
...4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... genuine, Scriptural faith is not our ability to ‘count it done,’ but is the deep
consciousness divinely imparted to the heart of man that it is done, . ....
Strong's Hebrew
4093. madda -- knowledge, thought... knowledge, science, thought. Or maddai {mad-dah'}; from yada'; intelligence or
consciousness -- knowledge, science, thought. see HEBREW yada'. 4092, 4093.
...Library
Prayer and theConsciousness.
... Third Chapter. PRAYER. XL. Prayer and theConsciousness. "Call upon Me in the day
of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.""Psalm 1..15....
Consciousness of God's Presence.
...CONSCIOUSNESS OF GOD'S PRESENCE. Happy and... formerly. There are many things employed
by Satan to weaken thisconsciousness of God. Looseness...
Consciousness of Messiahship in the Mind of Jesus. --Jesus among...
... CHAPTER III. THE BIRTH OF CHRIST. Section 23.Consciousness of Messiahship
in the Mind of Jesus."Jesus among the Doctors. The...
Whether to Approach this Sacrament withConsciousness of Sin is...
... OF THE USE OR RECEIVING OF THIS SACRAMENT IN GENERAL (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether to
approach this sacrament withconsciousness of sin is the gravest of all sins?...
GrowingConsciousness of his Messiahship in Christ.
... CHAPTER II. COURSE OF CHRIST'S LIFE UP TO THE OPENING OF HIS PUBLIC M1NISTRY.
Section 31. GrowingConsciousness of His Messiahship in Christ....
Christ's SteadfastConsciousness of his Messiahship.
... PART I. THE PLAN OF CHRIST. CHAPTER 1. A. THE PLAN OF CHRIST'S MINISTRY IN GENERAL.
Section 50. Christ's SteadfastConsciousness of his Messiahship....
Who Teach: that There is in this Life no Fruit and no...
... First Head of Doctrine. Divine Election and Reprobation Paragraph 7 Who teach:
That there is in this life no fruit and noconsciousness of the?...
Nor Let us Allege that we are Justly Rendered Timid by a...
... Of Prayer. John Calvin Chapter 37 Nor let us allege that we are justly rendered
timid by aconsciousness of sin? Nor let us allege...
Not with Doubting, but with AssuredConsciousness, do I Love Thee....
... Book X Chapter VI Not with doubting, but with assuredconsciousness, do I love Thee?
Not with doubting, but with assuredconsciousness, do I love Thee, Lord....
For I had Frequently aConsciousness Rising up Within Me...
... [Way-1-26] For I had frequently aconsciousness rising up within me? For
I had frequently aconsciousness rising up within me, that...
Thesaurus
Consciousness (4 Occurrences)...Consciousness (4 Occurrences). Romans 1:19 because what may be known about Him is
plain to their inmost
consciousness; for He Himself has made it plain to them.
...Shame (412 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A painful sensation excited by aconsciousness of guilt or impropriety,
or of having done something which injures reputation, or of the exposure of...
Creation (35 Occurrences)
... The doctrine of creation-of the origin and persistence, of all finite existences-
as the work of God, is a necessary postulation of the religiousconsciousness....
Prophets (270 Occurrences)
... The main thing is that he must have been able sharply to distinguish the contents
of this voice from his own heart, ie from his personalconsciousness....
Foreknow (1 Occurrence)
... God is also, according to the Old Testament, free from all limitations of time,
so that Hisconsciousness is not in the midst of the stream of the succeeding...
Eternity (23 Occurrences)
... Eternal "Now" 5. Defect of This View 6. Philosophical Views 7. Time Conceptions
Inadequate 8. All Succession Present in One Act to DivineConsciousness 9. Yet...
Anthropomorphism
... It is of the essence of the religiousconsciousness to recognize the analogy subsisting
between God's relations to man, and man's relations to his fellow....
Foreknowledge (2 Occurrences)
... God is also, according to the Old Testament, free from all limitations of time,
so that Hisconsciousness is not in the midst of the stream of the succeeding...
Godhead (5 Occurrences)
... The general elimination of the forms in -head has been followed by a fading
consciousness, in the case of the few surviving instances in this form, of the...
Prophecy (37 Occurrences)
... The main thing is that he must have been able sharply to distinguish the contents
of this voice from his own heart, ie from his personalconsciousness....
Resources
What is the Christ consciousness? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about being self-conscious? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the "church of Oprah"? Is Eckhart Tolle's "New Earth" compatible with Christianity? | GotQuestions.orgConsciousness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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