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The term "baleful" is not directly found in the Bible; however, it is often used in theological discussions to describe attitudes, actions, or entities that are harmful, menacing, or destructive. In a biblical context, baleful can refer to anything that opposes God's will or brings about spiritual or physical harm.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the concept of balefulness can be associated with the actions and intentions of those who oppose God and His people. For example, the schemes of the wicked are often depicted as harmful and destructive. InPsalm 37:12, the psalmist writes, "The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them." This verse illustrates the baleful intentions of the wicked towards the righteous, highlighting the spiritual battle between good and evil.

The prophets frequently warned against the baleful influence of idolatry and false prophets.Jeremiah 23:16 cautions, "This is what the LORD of Hosts says: 'Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.'" Here, the baleful nature of false prophecy is evident as it leads people away from the truth of God.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, balefulness is often associated with the works of the flesh and the influence of Satan. The Apostle Paul warns against the destructive nature of sin inGalatians 5:19-21, where he lists the acts of the flesh, including "sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, carousing, and the like." These behaviors are baleful as they lead individuals away from the kingdom of God.

Jesus Himself spoke of the baleful influence of false teachers and prophets. InMatthew 7:15, He warns, "Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." This imagery underscores the danger and harm that false teachings can inflict on believers.

Spiritual Warfare

The concept of balefulness is also relevant in the context of spiritual warfare.Ephesians 6:12 reminds believers, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." The baleful forces of evil are depicted as powerful and organized, requiring believers to be vigilant and equipped with the armor of God.

Practical Implications

For Christians, recognizing and resisting baleful influences is crucial for spiritual growth and protection. Believers are called to discernment, as instructed in 1John 4:1: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." This discernment helps Christians identify and avoid harmful teachings and influences.

Furthermore, believers are encouraged to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit, which stands in stark contrast to baleful behaviors.Galatians 5:22-23 lists these fruits as "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." By embodying these virtues, Christians can counteract the baleful influences in the world and reflect the character of Christ.1. (a.) Sinister; malignant; sorrowful; malicious; as, a baleful look.

2. (a.) Full of grief or sorrow; woeful; sad.

Sin and Grace
... Eden. Those two forces are sin and grace. A very great power is sin, a power
dark, mysterious,baleful, but full of force. The sorrows...

Archaisms in the Hymns
... Soften this obdurate stone! [32]. The older pronunciation, as always in Shakespeare
and Milton: Hisbaleful eyes,. That witnessed huge affliction and dismay,....

You have Therefore the Will of My God. ...
... This frowardness also appertains to men,"to discard what is wholesome, to accept
what isbaleful, to avoid all dangerous cures, or, in short, to be eager to...

Felicitous Phrases
... belittling, personal, and selfish. birth, rank, and fortune. bitter,baleful, and
venomous. bland, patient, and methodical. blessing, bestowing, and welcoming....

Preface
... of the last days; the unsealing of the radiant fountain of God's word, with its
wonderful revelations of light and knowledge to meet thebaleful upspringing of...

Preface
... of the last days; the unsealing of the radiant fountain of God's word, with its
wonderful revelations of light and knowledge to meet thebaleful upspringing of...

Natural Evil, or Suffering, and Especially the Suffering of...
... Sweet Eden was the arbour of delight; Yet in his lovely flowers our poison blew:
Sad Gethsemane, the bower ofbaleful night, Where Christ a health of poison...

Hymn at Cock-Crow
... 'Tis said thatbaleful spirits roam Abroad beneath the dark's vast dome; But, when
the cock crows, take their flight Sudden dispersed in sore affright....

David's Sin in the Matter of Uriah.
... numbered among the saints?". This, we conceive, to be the mostbaleful
conclusion which is drawn from this history. And could it...

Hymn for the Epiphany
... Now let thebaleful comet die, The brood of blazing Sirius fly: God's orb shall
quench their sultry heats And drive them from their haughty seats. Lo!...

Baleful (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Sinister; malignant; sorrowful; malicious; as,
abaleful look.... Multi-Version ConcordanceBaleful (1 Occurrence)....

Disaster (131 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An unpropitious orbaleful aspect of a planet
or star; malevolent influence of a heavenly body; hence, an ill portent....

Ball (2 Occurrences)

Nightmonster
... single appearance in the Book of Isaiah, Professor Rogers has this to say: "The
lil, or ghost, was a night-demon of terrible andbaleful influence upon men...

Night-monster
... single appearance in the Book of Isaiah, Professor Rogers has this to say: "The
lil, or ghost, was a night-demon of terrible andbaleful influence upon men...

Pernicious (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Having the quality of injuring or killing; destructive;
very mischievous;baleful; malicious; wicked. Multi-Version Concordance...

Baldy (1 Occurrence)

Chiun (1 Occurrence)
... Astrologers represented this planet asbaleful in its influences, and hence the
Phoenicians offered to it human sacrifices, especially children. Int....

Sacred (140 Occurrences)
... 5. (a.) Consecrated; dedicated; devoted; -- with to. 6. (a.) Solemnly devoted, in
a bad sense, as to evil, vengeance, curse, or the like; accursed;baleful....

Herod (45 Occurrences)
... In thebaleful and waning light of the rule of the Herodians, Christ lived and died,
and under it the foundations of the Christian church were laid....

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