Topical Encyclopedia
The term "instinctively" refers to actions or behaviors that occur naturally or automatically, without conscious thought or deliberation. In the context of the Bible, while the specific word "instinctively" may not be directly used in the Berean Standard Bible , the concept can be related to the inherent nature or innate tendencies of humans and animals as created by God.
Creation and Natural OrderThe Bible often reflects on the natural order established by God, where creatures act according to their God-given instincts. In
Genesis 1:24-25 , God commands the earth to bring forth living creatures according to their kinds, indicating a divine design in their behaviors and functions: "And God said, 'Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind.' And it was so."
Human Nature and ConscienceWhile animals act on instinct, humans are endowed with a conscience, a moral compass that guides their actions.
Romans 2:14-15 speaks to this innate sense of right and wrong: "Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them."
Sin and the Fallen NatureThe Bible acknowledges that human instincts can be corrupted by sin. The natural inclinations of the heart can lead to actions contrary to God's will.
Jeremiah 17:9 states, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" This highlights the need for divine intervention and guidance to align human instincts with God's righteousness.
Divine Guidance and the Holy SpiritBelievers are encouraged to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide their instincts and actions.
Galatians 5:16-17 advises, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want."
Wisdom and DiscernmentThe Bible also emphasizes the importance of wisdom and discernment in guiding one's instincts.
Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This suggests that while instincts can be a natural guide, they must be aligned with divine wisdom and understanding.
In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly use the term "instinctively," it addresses the concept through the natural order, human conscience, the impact of sin, and the necessity of divine guidance. Believers are called to submit their natural inclinations to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, ensuring that their actions reflect God's will and purpose.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
adv.) In an instinctive manner; by force of instinct; by natural impulse.
Greek
5449. phusis -- nature... Word Origin from phuo Definition nature NASB Word Usage
instinctively (1), natural
(1), natural* (1), nature (7), physically (1), race (1), species (1
...5447. phusikos -- naturally, by nature
... naturally. Adverb from phusikos; "physically", ie (by implication)instinctively --
naturally. see GREEK phusikos. (phusikos) -- 1 Occurrence. 5446, 5447....
Library
Food for the Lambs.
... The infantinstinctively receives it with a readiness.... The newly created life in
the regenerated soulinstinctively turns to the word of God for nourishment....
Moral Obligation.
... For example: a bee lights on my hand, I instantly andinstinctively shake him
off. I tread on a hot iron, andinstinctively move my foot....
The Death and the Raising of Lazarus - the Question of Miracles...
... If this Miracle be true, weinstinctively feel all is true; and Spinoza was right
in saying, [4775] that if he could believe the raising of Lazarus, he would...
With and Like Christ
... I do not understand a dumb companionship. When we are with those that we love,
and with whom we are at ease, speech comesinstinctively....
The Origin and Growth of Law.
... The rules seem generally to be largely the product of instinct or of experience,
without any law making, and they are enforced almost asinstinctively by the...
The Note of Accusation.
... It is not a pleasant task. It is not an easy one. It forms a duty from which we
instinctively shrink, but no ministry is complete in which it is neglected....
Not Now, but Hereafter!
... under the feet of a tyrannical master, with his back fresh from the gory lash, lifts
up his eye to God the avenger, for he feelsinstinctively that God must be...
The Same Night which Saw the Red Glare of the Burning Monastery...
... Angela rose from her chair trembling and glancedinstinctively at her picture"and
for a moment no one seemed quite certain what should be done next....
The Hilltops --Experiences of Gladness and Glory
... You think of everything that comes up, opportunity, difficulty, emergency, crisis,
plannings,"youinstinctively come to think about each thing from the...
All the Bells were Ringing the Angelus. ...
... THERE!". He raised his eyes devoutly, andinstinctively touched the silver
crucifix hanging by its purple ribbon at his breast. The...
Thesaurus
Instinctively (2 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In an instinctive manner; by force of instinct;
by natural impulse. Multi-Version Concordance
Instinctively (2 Occurrences).
...Instinct (3 Occurrences)
... Jude 1:10 Yet these men are abusive in matters of which they know nothing, and in
things which, like the brutes, they understandinstinctively--in all these...
Johannine
... Only a thinker of first rank among the idealists and mystics, a mind of the Platonic
order, movinginstinctively in the world of supersensuous realities...
Instincts (2 Occurrences)
Brutes (2 Occurrences)
... Jude 1:10 Yet these men are abusive in matters of which they know nothing, and in
things which, like the brutes, they understandinstinctively--in all these...
Bray (3 Occurrences)
... in a mortar"): This word occurs with two distinct meanings: (a) The harsh cry of
the ass (Job 6:5). Job argued that as the soundsinstinctively uttered by...
Conscience (36 Occurrences)
... It is this which imparts to death its solemnity; weinstinctively know that we are
going to our account. And such great natural instincts cannot be false....
Abusively (3 Occurrences)
... Jude 1:10 Yet these men are abusive in matters of which they know nothing, and in
things which, like the brutes, they understandinstinctively--in all these...
Abusive (7 Occurrences)
... Jude 1:10 Yet these men are abusive in matters of which they know nothing, and in
things which, like the brutes, they understandinstinctively--in all these...
Hellenism
... When natural philosophy arose in the 6th century, itinstinctively at first, then
consciously, divested Nature of personality by stripping off the disguise of...
Resources
How can Christian parents deal with empty-nest syndrome? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the ingredients to a truly biblical worship service? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I learn to distinguish right from wrong? | GotQuestions.orgInstinctively: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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