Topical Encyclopedia
In the Christian life, understanding how to act is essential for living in accordance with God's will. The Bible provides comprehensive guidance on behavior, emphasizing virtues such as love, humility, and obedience to God's commandments. This entry explores biblical principles on how to act, drawing from various scriptures to illuminate the path of righteous living.
Love and CompassionCentral to Christian conduct is the commandment to love. Jesus emphasized this in
Matthew 22:37-39 : "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" Love is the foundation of all actions, as it reflects God's nature and fulfills the law (
Romans 13:10).
Compassion is an extension of love, urging believers to act with kindness and empathy.
Colossians 3:12 instructs, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." This verse highlights the importance of embodying these virtues in daily interactions.
Humility and ServanthoodHumility is a key aspect of Christian behavior.
Philippians 2:3-4 advises, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." This passage encourages believers to prioritize others, reflecting Christ's example of servanthood.
Jesus Himself modeled humility and servanthood, as seen in
John 13:14-15 : "So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you." This act of washing the disciples' feet serves as a powerful lesson in humility and service.
Obedience and RighteousnessObedience to God's commandments is a hallmark of Christian conduct. In
John 14:15 , Jesus states, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." Obedience is an expression of love for God and a commitment to living according to His will.
Righteousness, or living in a manner that is pleasing to God, is closely linked to obedience.
1 Peter 1:15-16 exhorts believers, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’" This call to holiness underscores the importance of aligning one's actions with God's standards.
Integrity and HonestyIntegrity and honesty are vital components of Christian behavior.
Proverbs 12:22 declares, "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight." This verse highlights the value God places on truthfulness and integrity.
Ephesians 4:25 further instructs, "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another." Honesty fosters trust and unity within the Christian community, reflecting the character of God.
Patience and Self-ControlPatience and self-control are essential virtues for acting rightly.
James 1:19 advises, "My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger." This counsel encourages restraint and thoughtful responses in interactions with others.
Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit, including patience and self-control: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." These qualities are evidence of the Holy Spirit's work in a believer's life, guiding them in righteous conduct.
Forgiveness and ReconciliationForgiveness is a crucial aspect of Christian behavior, reflecting God's grace toward humanity.
Ephesians 4:32 instructs, "Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." This call to forgiveness promotes healing and reconciliation within relationships.
Matthew 5:23-24 emphasizes the importance of reconciliation: "Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." This passage underscores the priority of resolving conflicts and maintaining harmony.
Topical Bible Verses
Jude 1:3Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write to you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write to you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints.
Topicalbible.org1 Peter 3:1-22
Likewise, you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
Topicalbible.org
James 1:5
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraides not; and it shall be given him.
Topicalbible.org
1 Timothy 5:22
Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep yourself pure.
Topicalbible.org
Hebrews 12:7
If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not?
Topicalbible.org
Hebrews 13:4
Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Topicalbible.org
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Topicalbible.org
Greek
807. aschemoneo -- toact unbecomingly... to
act unbecomingly. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: aschemoneo Phonetic Spelling:
(as-kay-mon-eh'-o) Short Definition: I
act improperly, unseemly
...3394. miasmos -- theact of defiling
... theact of defiling. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: miasmos Phonetic
Spelling: (mee-as-mos') Short Definition: theact of pollution...
445. anthupateuo --act as deputy or proconsul.
... 444, 445. anthupateuo. 446 .act as deputy or proconsul.... Word Origin variant
reading for anthupatos, qv.act as deputy or proconsul....
1888. epautophoro -- in the veryact.
... 1887, 1888. epautophoro. 1889 . in the veryact. Part of... veryact. Word
Origin variant reading for autophoros, qv. in the veryact....
4467. rhadiourgema -- a recklessact, a crime
... a recklessact, a crime. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: rhadiourgema
Phonetic Spelling: (hrad-ee-oorg'-ay-mah) Short Definition: anact of...
91. adikeo -- to do wrong,act wickedly
... to do wrong,act wickedly. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: adikeo Phonetic
Spelling: (ad-ee-keh'-o) Short Definition: Iact unjustly towards Definition: I...
3619. oikodome -- (theact of) building, a building
... 3618, 3619. oikodome. 3620 . (theact of) building, a building. Part of Speech:
Noun, Feminine Transliteration: oikodome Phonetic Spelling: (oy-kod-om-ay...
1018. brabeuo -- toact as umpire
... toact as umpire. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: brabeuo Phonetic Spelling:
(brab-yoo'-o) Short Definition: I rule, arbitrate Definition: (lit: toact as...
849a. autophoros -- the veryact
... the veryact. Transliteration: autophoros Short Definition:act. Word Origin from
autos and phor (a thief) Definition the veryact NASB Word Usage veryact (1)....
1731. endeiknumi -- to indicate (by word oract), to prove
... to indicate (by word oract), to prove. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
endeiknumi Phonetic Spelling: (en-dike'-noo-mee) Short Definition: I show forth...
Strong's Hebrew
4603. maal -- toact unfaithfully or treacherously... maal. 4604 . to
act unfaithfully or treacherously. Transliteration: maal Phonetic
Spelling: (maw-al') Short Definition: committed. Word Origin a prim.
...1891. habal -- toact emptily, become vain
... 1890, 1891. habal. 1892 . toact emptily, become vain. Transliteration: habal
Phonetic Spelling: (haw-bal') Short Definition: foolishly....
4604. maal -- an unfaithful or treacherousact
... 4603, 4604. maal. 4605 . an unfaithful or treacherousact. Transliteration:
maal Phonetic Spelling: (mah'-al) Short Definition: unfaithfully....
7853. satan -- to be oract as adversary
... 7852, 7853. satan. 7854 . to be oract as adversary. Transliteration: satan
Phonetic Spelling: (saw-tan') Short Definition: accusers....
7561. rasha -- to be wicked,act wickedly
... 7560, 7561. rasha. 7562 . to be wicked,act wickedly. Transliteration: rasha
Phonetic Spelling: (raw-shah') Short Definition: condemn....
7902. shekabah -- (act of) lying, a layer
... 7901, 7902. shekabah. 7903 . (act of) lying, a layer. Transliteration: shekabah
Phonetic Spelling: (shek-aw-baw') Short Definition: emission....
4302. matta -- place oract of planting, a plantation
... 4301, 4302. matta. 4303 . place oract of planting, a plantation. Transliteration:
matta Phonetic Spelling: (mat-taw') Short Definition: planting....
2102. zud -- to boil up, seethe,act proudly or presumptuously or...
... to boil up, seethe,act proudly or presumptuously or rebelliously. Transliteration:
zud or zid Phonetic Spelling: (zood) Short Definition: arrogantly....
898. bagad -- toact or deal treacherously
... 897, 898. bagad. 899 . toact or deal treacherously. Transliteration: bagad
Phonetic Spelling: (baw-gad') Short Definition: treacherous. Word Origin a prim...
7292. rahab -- toact stormily, boisterously or arrogantly
... rahab. 7293 . toact stormily, boisterously or arrogantly. Transliteration: rahab
Phonetic Spelling: (raw-hab') Short Definition: confused. Word Origin a prim...
Library
Whether Choice is anAct of Will or of Reason?
... OF CHOICE, WHICH IS ANACT OF THE WILL WITH REGARD TO THE MEANS (SIX ARTICLES)
Whether choice is anact of will or of reason? Objection...
Whether theAct of the Will is Commanded?
... OF THE ACTS COMMANDED BY THE WILL (NINE ARTICLES) Whether theact of the will
is commanded?... Therefore theact of the will is not commanded....
Whether Use is anAct of the Will?
... OF USE, WHICH IS ANACT OF THE WILL IN REGARD TO THE MEANS (FOUR ARTICLES)
Whether use is anact of the will? Objection 1: It would...
Whether Satisfaction is a virtue or anAct of virtue?
... OF SATISFACTION, AS TO ITS NATURE (THREE ARTICLES) Whether satisfaction is a virtue
or anact of virtue?... Therefore satisfaction is not anact of virtue....
Whether Command is anAct of the Reason or of the Will?
... OF THE ACTS COMMANDED BY THE WILL (NINE ARTICLES) Whether command is an
act of the reason or of the will? Objection 1: It would...
Whether theAct of Sin is from God?
... OF THE EXTERNAL CAUSES OF SIN (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether theact of sin is from God?
Objection 1: It would seem that theact of sin is not from God....
Of Consent, which is anAct of the Will in Regard to the Means...
... OF CONSENT, WHICH IS ANACT OF THE WILL IN REGARD TO THE MEANS (FOUR ARTICLES)....
(1) Whether consent is anact of the appetitive or of the apprehensive power?...
Whether the MarriageAct is Meritorious?
... MATRIMONY (QQ -67) Whether the marriageact is meritorious? Objection 1: It would
seem that the marriageact is not meritorious. For Chrysostom [*Hom....
Whether the MarriageAct is Excused by the Aforesaid Goods?
... SIX ARTICLES) [*"Bona matrimonii," variously rendered marriage goods, marriage
blessings, and advantages of marriage.] Whether the marriageact is excused by...
Of Use, which is anAct of the Will in Regard to the Means (Four...
... OF USE, WHICH IS ANACT OF THE WILL IN REGARD TO THE MEANS (FOUR ARTICLES).
We must... inquiry: (1) Whether use is anact of the will? (2...
Resources
Questions about the Christian Life (All) | GotQuestions.orgHow can I overcome the fear of death? How can I stop being scared of dying? | GotQuestions.orgHow should I decide how much to tithe? | GotQuestions.orgHow: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
