Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of biblical principles, "checking" can be understood as the act of examining, verifying, or restraining one's actions, thoughts, or words to ensure alignment with God's will and commandments. This concept is deeply rooted in the Scriptures, where believers are encouraged to live lives of discernment, self-control, and accountability.
Discernment and ExaminationThe Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of discernment and self-examination. In
1 Thessalonians 5:21, believers are instructed to "test all things; hold fast to what is good." This verse underscores the necessity of checking or testing everything against the truth of God's Word. Similarly,
2 Corinthians 13:5 urges believers to "examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves." This self-examination is a form of checking one's spiritual health and alignment with Christ.
Guarding the Heart and MindProverbs 4:23 highlights the importance of checking one's heart: "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." The heart, in biblical terms, is the center of one's being, encompassing thoughts, emotions, and will. Checking the heart involves being vigilant about what influences it, ensuring that it remains pure and focused on God.
Philippians 4:8 provides guidance on checking one's thoughts: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things." This verse encourages believers to actively check and direct their thoughts towards what is virtuous and godly.
Self-Control and RestraintThe concept of checking is also closely related to self-control, a fruit of the Spirit as described in
Galatians 5:22-23. Self-control involves checking one's impulses and desires, bringing them under the submission of the Holy Spirit.
Titus 2:11-12 teaches that "the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age." This passage highlights the role of divine grace in enabling believers to check and restrain ungodly behaviors.
Accountability and CorrectionChecking is not only a personal endeavor but also involves communal accountability.
James 5:16 encourages believers to "confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed." This practice of mutual accountability serves as a check against sin and fosters spiritual growth within the community of faith.
Moreover, the process of correction, as outlined in
Matthew 18:15-17, involves checking a brother or sister in Christ who has sinned, with the goal of restoration. This passage provides a framework for addressing sin within the church, emphasizing the importance of checking behavior in a spirit of love and humility.
ConclusionThe biblical concept of checking encompasses discernment, self-examination, guarding the heart and mind, exercising self-control, and engaging in communal accountability. These practices are essential for living a life that honors God and reflects His holiness. Through the guidance of Scripture and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, believers are equipped to check their lives continually, ensuring they remain faithful to their calling in Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Check.
Greek
578. apoblepo -- to look away from all else at an object... expresses the activity of the astronomer who observes the heavenly motions, or that
of a painter who fixes his gaze on a model, constantly
checking in order to
...Library
Oh, How He Loves!
... and prayers; yet I would sooner have a measure of that enthusiastic noise than have
you constantly stifling your natural emotions, andchecking yourself from...
The Exordium.
... challenged the maddening and insidious and seductive spirit, being themselves cajoled
and misled by him, so that there was no longer anychecking him to silence...
The Acquirement of Spiritual Power
... A man commences to develop power when,checking his impulses and selfish inclinations,
he falls back upon the higher and calmer consciousness within him, and...
The Personality of Power.
... form a party of only a very few persons, mutually congenial, and personally agreeable,
one of whom is an experienced traveler, to whomchecking baggage, buying...
The Hindrances to Mourning
... Then they began to be merry' (Luke 15:24). 4Checking the motions of the Spirit.
The Spirit sets us a-mourning. It causes all our spring-tides....
The Secondary Division or Teen Age Boys' Crusade
... will do the work. Another method is an annualchecking up with the city
directory. (b) Home Visitation for Enlistment. This is best...
The New Testament Checked the Imaginative Creation of Events in...
... Thus, though it is true that the New Testament has the merit ofchecking, indeed
of partly stopping, the creation of new, authoritative, realistic legends, and...
Our Instructor's Treatment of Our Sins.
... For nothing is so urgent in the first place as deliverance from passions and disorders,
and then thechecking of our liability to fall into sins that have...
Of Women's Dress.
... Touching modesty of dress and ornamentation, indeed, the prescription of Peter
[8872] likewise is plain,checking as he does with the same mouth, because with...
A Moment's Flashing Glance of Half-Amused Dismay at Angela...
... The Marquis took one or two quick impulsive steps forward"thenchecking himself,
stopped short, and selecting a chair deliberately sat down....
Thesaurus
Checking (1 Occurrence)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Check. Multi-Version Concordance
Checking (1 Occurrence). Colossians 2:23 Which things
...Worm (22 Occurrences)
... See Worm, n. 5 (b). 18. (n.) To cut the worm, or lytta, from under the tongue
of, as a dog, for the purpose ofchecking a disposition to gnaw....
Fan (8 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Any revolving vane or vanes used for producing currents of air, in winnowing
grain, blowing a fire, ventilation, etc., or forchecking rapid motion by...
Prophet (315 Occurrences)
... the heart-felt worship of Jehovah, and to act along and co-ordinately with the
priesthood and monarchy in guiding the state aright andchecking all attempts at...
Break (257 Occurrences)
... 36. (n.) A device forchecking motion, or for measuring friction. See Brake, n.
9 & 10. 37. (n.) See Commutator. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BREAK....
Checks (1 Occurrence)
Checker-work (1 Occurrence)
Checker-work. Checkerwork, Checker-work.Checking . Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia... (ASV DBY JPS WBS). Checkerwork, Checker-work.Checking . Reference...
Corinthians (3 Occurrences)
... Paul thereupon wrote this letter, for the purpose ofchecking the factious spirit
and correcting the erroneous opinions that had sprung up among them, and...
Zoroastrianism
... apres le Mazdeisme (An. Mus. Guimet, 1901, needschecking); Boklen, Die
Verwandtschaft der jud.-chr. mit der parsischen Eschatologie...
Resources
Why should we read the Bible / study the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgHow should a Christian respond to chain letters? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a non-denominational church? What do non-denominational churches believe? | GotQuestions.orgChecking: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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