Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of biblical teachings, "projecting" can be understood as the act of attributing one's own thoughts, feelings, or motives onto others. This concept, while not explicitly named in the Bible, can be inferred through various scriptural principles and narratives that address human behavior, judgment, and self-awareness.
Biblical Principles Related to Projecting1.
Judgment and Self-Reflection: The Bible frequently addresses the importance of self-examination before judging others. In
Matthew 7:3-5 , Jesus teaches, "Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to notice the beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while there is still a beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." This passage highlights the tendency to project one's own faults onto others, urging believers to first address their own shortcomings.
2.
Heart and Intentions: The Bible emphasizes that God looks at the heart and understands true intentions, which humans often misjudge. In
1 Samuel 16:7 , the Lord tells Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart." This underscores the idea that projecting one's own biases or assumptions onto others can lead to misjudgment, as only God fully knows the heart.
3.
Bearing False Witness: Projecting can lead to false accusations or misunderstandings, which the Bible warns against.
Exodus 20:16 commands, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." This commandment encourages truthfulness and integrity, cautioning against projecting false motives or actions onto others.
4.
Love and Understanding: The call to love and understand others is central to Christian teaching. In
1 Corinthians 13:7 , love is described as "bearing all things, believing all things, hoping all things, enduring all things." This suggests a posture of assuming the best in others rather than projecting negative assumptions.
Narratives Illustrating Projecting1.
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector: In
Luke 18:9-14 , Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee projects his self-righteousness and contempt onto the tax collector, failing to see his own need for mercy. This account illustrates the danger of projecting one's own perceived righteousness onto others, leading to pride and spiritual blindness.
2.
Joseph and His Brothers: In
Genesis 37, Joseph's brothers project their jealousy and animosity onto him, interpreting his dreams and favored status as threats. Their projection leads to harmful actions against Joseph, demonstrating how projecting negative emotions can result in destructive behavior.
3.
David and Nathan: In
2 Samuel 12, the prophet Nathan confronts King David with a parable about a rich man who takes a poor man's lamb. David, projecting his own sense of justice, condemns the man, only to realize that he himself is guilty of a similar sin. This narrative highlights the importance of recognizing one's own faults before judging others.
Practical ApplicationBelievers are encouraged to practice humility, self-reflection, and empathy to avoid projecting their own issues onto others. By seeking God's guidance and examining their own hearts, Christians can foster healthier relationships and a deeper understanding of others, aligning their actions with biblical teachings.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Project.
Greek
1100. glossa -- the tongue, a language... Word Origin from a prim. root gloch- (
projecting point) Definition the tongue,
a language NASB Word Usage tongue (25), tongues (25). tongue.
...4073. petra -- a (large mass of) rock
... 4073 () is "aprojecting , ( noun) . .4074 (, the form) however is a
. . such as a man might throw" (S. Zodhiates, ). Word Origin a prim....
Strong's Hebrew
352b. ayil -- aprojecting pillar or pilaster... 352a, 352b. ayil. 352c . a
projecting pillar or pilaster. Transliteration:
ayil Short Definition: pillars. Word Origin from the
...2106. zavith -- a corner
... Apparently from the same root as Ziv (in the sense of prominence); an angle (as
projecting), ie (by implication) a corner-column (or anta) -- corner(stone)....
7161. qeren -- a horn
... 1), tusks (1). hill, horn. From qaran; a horn (asprojecting); by implication,
a flask, cornet; by resembl. An elephant's tooth (ie...
6189. arel -- having foreskin (uncircumcised)
... Rom arel; properly, exposed, ieProjecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only
technically, uncircumcised (ie Still having the prepuce uncurtailed...
3318. yatsa -- to go or come out
... forward (1), originate (1), paid (1), passing (1), pluck (1), prematurely (1), proceed
(4), proceeded (11), proceeds (1), produces (3),projecting (3), promised...
4551. macca' -- a quarry or quarrying
... From naca' in the sense ofprojecting; a missile (spear or arrow); also a quarry
(whence stones are, as it were, ejected) -- before it was brought, dart....
Library
Prayer isProjecting One's Spirit Personality.
... Prayer the Deciding Factor in a Spirit Conflict Prayer isProjecting One's
Spirit Personality. Now prayer is a spirit force, it...
Low Beetling Brows, -- a Sensual, Cruel Mouth with a Loosely...
... IX. Low beetling brows, " a sensual, cruel mouth with a looselyprojecting
under-lip? Low beetling brows,"a sensual, cruel...
Elijah, the Praying Prophet
... and more jealously of God's honor, than Elijah. Whatprojecting power do
we see in his prayer! "And it rained not on the earth by...
The Holy Spirit and Prayer
... "According to," says the Apostle, that is, after the measure of, "the power that
worketh in us." Theprojecting power of praying outwardly was theprojecting...
The Purification of Mary
... today. The Blessed Virgin was generally alone in her room with the Child,
who lay on a rug on a low ledgeprojecting from the wall....
The Conquest of Babylon.
... some measure accelerated by these boatmen, though their main function was to steer
their vessel by keeping it out of eddies and away fromprojecting points of...
The Malignity and Folly of Satan.
... For the leader of all wickedness assumes manifold [1325] forms, beguiler of men
as he is, inconsistent, and even contradicting himself,projecting one course...
Of all the Parts of the Body.
... For first of all is the head, and annexed to this the neck; also the breast adjoined
to the neck, and the shouldersprojecting from it, the belly adhering to...
Of the Outer Limbs of Man, and their Use.
... on every side; and it has been provided by the great Artificer, that if there shall
happen to be a more violent blow, it may be repelled by theprojecting parts...
The Tenth Commandment
... worldly. He is always plotting andprojecting about the things of this life;
like a virgin whose thoughts all centre upon her suitor....
Thesaurus
Projecting (17 Occurrences)...Projecting (17 Occurrences).
... Nehemiah 3:27 After them the Tekoites repaired another
piece, over against the great
projecting tower, even to the wall of Ophel.
...Beak (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The longprojecting sucking mouth of some insects, and other invertebrates,
as in the Hemiptera. 4. (n.) The upper orprojecting...
Lobe (19 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A roundprojecting part of an organ, as of the liver, lungs, brain, etc.
5. (n.) Theprojecting part of a cam wheel or of a non-circular gear wheel....
Fringe (7 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) An ornamental appendage to the border of a piece of stuff, originally
consisting of the ends of the warp,projecting beyond the woven fabric; but more...
Crane (2 Occurrences)
... In one form it consists of aprojecting arm or jib of timber or iron, a rotating
post or base, and the necessary tackle, windlass, etc.; -- so called from a...
Horn (108 Occurrences)
... But the word is used also metaphorically to denote theprojecting corners of the
altar of burnt offerings (Exodus 27:2) and of incense (30:2). The horns of the...
Projection (3 Occurrences)
Sea (4178 Occurrences)
... Theseprojecting deltas were noticed by Robinson as he looked southward from the
height above En-gedi, but their significance was not understood....
City
... by men-at-arms seen only through the battlements, showed no weakness, and the gates,
with their narrow and steep approaches andprojecting defense towers...
Dead (580 Occurrences)
... Theseprojecting deltas were noticed by Robinson as he looked southward from the
height above En-gedi, but their significance was not understood....
Resources
What are some flaws in the theory of evolution? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the House of Yahweh? | GotQuestions.orgProjecting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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