Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Overview:Being negative refers to a mindset or attitude characterized by pessimism, criticism, and a tendency to focus on the unfavorable aspects of situations. In a biblical context, negativity can manifest as doubt, fear, grumbling, or a lack of faith in God's promises and goodness. The Bible addresses the dangers of a negative attitude and encourages believers to cultivate a spirit of gratitude, faith, and hope.
Biblical Examples:1.
The Israelites in the Wilderness: The Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land is a prominent biblical example of negativity. Despite witnessing God's miraculous deliverance, they frequently complained and doubted His provision. In
Numbers 14:2, the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, saying, "If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness!" Their negativity led to a lack of trust in God and resulted in severe consequences, including wandering in the wilderness for forty years (
Numbers 14:33-34).
2.
The Ten Spies: In
Numbers 13, Moses sent twelve spies to explore the land of Canaan. Upon returning, ten of the spies reported negatively, focusing on the formidable inhabitants and fortified cities. They said, "We seemed like grasshoppers in our own sight, and we must have seemed the same to them" (
Numbers 13:33). Their negative report discouraged the Israelites and incited fear, leading to rebellion against God's command to take possession of the land.
3.
Job's Friends: In the Book of Job, Job's friends exhibit negativity through their misguided counsel. They assumed Job's suffering was due to his sin, failing to understand God's greater purpose. Their negative assumptions added to Job's distress rather than providing comfort or encouragement (
Job 16:2).
Biblical Teachings on Negativity:1.
Guarding the Heart: The Bible emphasizes the importance of guarding one's heart against negativity.
Proverbs 4:23 states, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." A negative heart can lead to destructive thoughts and actions, while a heart focused on God produces life-giving attitudes.
2.
Renewing the Mind:Romans 12:2 encourages believers to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This transformation involves replacing negative thoughts with God's truth, allowing His Word to shape one's perspective and attitude.
3.
The Power of Words: Scripture warns about the impact of negative speech.
Proverbs 18:21 declares, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." Believers are called to speak words that edify and build up others, avoiding grumbling and complaining (
Philippians 2:14).
4.
Faith and Trust in God: A key antidote to negativity is faith in God's promises and character.
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." Trusting in God's sovereignty and goodness enables believers to rise above negative circumstances.
5.
Gratitude and Rejoicing: The Bible encourages a spirit of gratitude and rejoicing as a counter to negativity.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 instructs, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." Gratitude shifts focus from problems to God's blessings and faithfulness.
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to cultivate a positive, faith-filled mindset by immersing themselves in Scripture, prayer, and fellowship with other believers. By focusing on God's promises and character, they can overcome negativity and live in the joy and peace that Christ offers.
Topical Bible Verses
Psalm 42:11Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disquieted within me? hope you in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Topicalbible.orgPsalm 43:5
Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Topicalbible.org
Psalm 4:6
There be many that say, Who will show us any good? LORD, lift you up the light of your countenance on us.
Topicalbible.org
Greek
551. apeirastos -- untried, untempted... [551 () is also used in ancient secular Greek meaning "incapable of
being tempted
... From a (as a
negative particle) and a presumed derivative of peirao; untried
...563. aperispastos -- without distraction
... occurs only in 1 Cor 7:35 where it refers to having (being completely ).... Adverb from
a compound of a (as anegative participle) and a presumed derivative of...
4. abares -- not burdensome
... not burdensome. From a (as anegative particle) and baros; weightless, ie (figuratively)
not burdensome -- frombeing burdensome. see GREEK a. see GREEK baros....
2475. Israelites -- an Israelite
... believer. In contrast, 1445 ("Jew") in the NT has anegative implication
ofbeing hostile to Christ, the true Messiah. Israelite....
4561. sarx -- flesh
... 4561 () is generallynegative, referring to making decisions (actions) -- ie done
(independent... or morally) and passions), or (specially), a humanbeing (as such...
639. aporeo -- to be at a loss, be perplexed
... NASB Word Usage am perplexed (1),being at a loss (1), loss (1), perplexed (3).
stand in doubt, be perplexed. From a compound of a (as anegative particle) and...
564. aperitmetos -- uncircumcised
... [564 () literally refers to an uncircumcised foreskin, which stands for "being of
God's... From a (as anegative particle) and a presumed derivative of peritemno...
272. ameleo -- to be careless
... be affected") -- properly, without concern, unaffected, viewing something asbeing ,
ie without... From a (as anegative particle) and melo; to be careless of...
422. anepaischuntos -- not to be put to shame
... used only in 2 Tim 2:15, refers to the (positive) result ofbeing a of... From a (as
anegative particle) and a presumed derivative of a compound of epi and...
335. anaideia -- shamelessness
... by human fears -- even when others cry "overdone" (ie accuse them ofbeing extreme
or... From a compound of a (as anegative particle (compare aneu)) and aidos...
Library
The Addition of aNegative Does not Change the Predicament.
... according to which we may please to affirm anything, withoutbeing proved to deny
according to the same predicament, if we prefix thenegative particle....
Its Source
... last chapter, under the nature of justification, we saw that the constituent elements
of this Divine blessing are two in number, the onebeing negative in its...
On theNegative Spirit
... II. On thenegative spirit. Much... shirking. What is the good of begetting a
man until we have settled what is the good ofbeing a man?...
What are the Affirmative Expressions Respecting God, and what are...
... and when the whole ascent is passed it will be totally dumb,being at last... one method
was affirmative we begin from the lowest category where it isnegative?...
TheNegative Side
... TheNegative Side.... In v.18 (which contains the positive answer to the question asked
in v.15) the apostle declares, "being then made free from sin, ye became...
Perishing orBeing Saved
... It means either"and is used for both"being healed orbeing made safe.... Thenegative
side, then, of the Gospel idea of salvation is the making whole from a...
The Death and the Raising of Lazarus - the Question of Miracles...
... THE QUESTION OF MIRACLES AND OF THIS MIRACLE OF MIRACLES - VIEWS OFNEGATIVE CRITICISM
ON... possible than that which proceeds on the ground of itsbeing a Miracle...
Whether Sins of Commission and Omission Differ Specifically?
... andnegative precepts, was that men might be gradually led to virtue, first by
abstaining from evil,being induced to this by thenegative precepts, and...
That the Self-ExistentBeing must be Intelligent.
... modifications of the mind itself, which is an intelligentbeing; and are... real, proper,
distinct, and positive powers, but onlynegative qualities, deficiencies...
What are the Affirmative Expressions Respecting God, and what the...
... What are the affirmative expressions respecting God, and what thenegative.... the treatise
concerning Divine Names, how He is named Good"howBeing"how Life...
Resources
What does the Bible say about being nosey? | GotQuestions.orgIs being gay a sin? Is it a sin to be gay? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the implications of God being infinite, unlimited, and unmeasurable? | GotQuestions.orgBeing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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