Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of biblical theology, instincts can be understood as the innate tendencies or natural inclinations that God has embedded within His creation. These instincts are often seen as part of the divine order, reflecting God's wisdom and purpose in the natural world. While the Bible does not explicitly use the term "instincts," it provides numerous examples and teachings that relate to the concept.
Creation and InstinctsThe Bible begins with the account of creation, where God establishes the natural order. In
Genesis 1:21-22 , God creates the creatures of the sea and the birds of the air, blessing them to "be fruitful and multiply." This command implies an instinctual drive within these creatures to reproduce and fill the earth. Similarly, in
Genesis 1:28 , God commands humanity to "be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it," suggesting an inherent drive towards procreation and stewardship.
Animal BehaviorThe Scriptures often reference the behavior of animals to illustrate spiritual truths, acknowledging their instinctual actions as part of God's design. In
Proverbs 6:6-8 , the ant is commended for its industrious nature: "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest." Here, the ant's instinctual behavior serves as a model for human diligence and foresight.
In
Job 39, God speaks of various animals and their instinctual behaviors, highlighting His sovereignty and wisdom in creation. For example,
Job 39:26-27 describes the instinctual flight of the hawk and the eagle: "Does the hawk take flight by your understanding and spread his wings toward the south? Does the eagle soar at your command and make his nest on high?" These verses emphasize that such instincts are divinely ordained.
Human InstinctsWhile animals are often depicted as acting purely on instinct, humans are portrayed as possessing both instincts and the capacity for moral reasoning. The Bible acknowledges human instincts but calls for their regulation according to God's will. In
Galatians 5:16-17 , Paul writes, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh." Here, the "desires of the flesh" can be understood as base instincts that must be controlled by the Spirit.
Instincts and SinThe Bible also addresses the potential for human instincts to lead to sin when not aligned with God's commandments.
James 1:14-15 warns, "But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." This passage highlights the danger of allowing natural desires to develop into sinful actions.
Divine GuidanceUltimately, the Bible teaches that while instincts are part of God's creation, they must be guided by divine wisdom and the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "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 guidance suggests that human instincts, when submitted to God, can be harmonized with His will and purpose.
Strong's Hebrew
1682. deborah -- a bee... bee. Or (shortened) dborah {deb-o-raw'}; from dabar (in the sense of orderly motion);
the bee (from its systematic
instincts) -- bee. see HEBREW dabar.
...Library
Instincts.
... Book VIII. Chapter VIII"Instincts. When the old man had said this, I Clement
said to him: "Hear, my father: if my brother Niceta...
The Body Cannot Originate Such Phenomena; and in Fact the Action...
... (3) The body cannot originate such phenomena; and in fact the action of the rational
soul is seen in its over-ruling theinstincts of the bodily organs....
Mathew xi. 10
... Take those tastes in us which most resemble theinstincts of a brute; and you will
find that in these, as with instinct, common consent becomes a sure rule....
Upon Human Nature.
... There can be no doubt but that several propensions orinstincts, several principles
in the heart of man, carry him to society, and to contribute to the...
National Sorrows and National Lessons
... to express, because they cannot render a reason for it; but which is still there,
deeply rooted in their souls; one of those old hereditaryinstincts by which...
The Invasion of Scythia.
... fully established throughout his dominions."The Scythians."Ancient account of
them."Pictures of savage life."Their diversity."Socialinstincts of man...
The Surprise of the Righteous
... Those lovinginstincts come not from the fleshly fallen nature, or natural man.... The
great majority of them are the victims of their own lowinstincts....
The Torments of Giant Bad Feelings
... Man was created with all the socialinstincts before the fall.... Sanctification cleanses
away the nature of sin and leaves all the God-giveninstincts intact....
The Brevity of Life.
... It is enough for a child if he follows pure and safeinstincts, and lives without
reflection a healthy, unperverted life, under wise guidance and good teaching...
Sin Charged Upon the Surety
... Theinstincts, implanted in them by their great Creator, are conducive to their
welfare; and to theseinstincts they are uniformly faithful....
Thesaurus
Instincts (2 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Instincts (2 Occurrences). 2 Peter 2:12 But these men,
like brute beasts, created (with their natural
instincts) (WEY).
...Instituted (7 Occurrences)
Monthly (11 Occurrences)
... Theory (3) The Table-Bond Theory (4) The Sacramental Communion Theory (5) The Homage
Theory (6) The Piacular Theory (7) Originating ReligiousInstincts III....
Unclean (393 Occurrences)
... for the prohibition doubtless lies in the unsanitary and repulsive nature of the
flesh of these birds, the Divine command endorsing theinstincts which were...
Gomer (7 Occurrences)
... This need not mean that at the time of marriage she was thus depraved, but she had
the evil taint in her blood, had inherited immoralinstincts....
Instinct (3 Occurrences)
... WEY NAS). 2 Peter 2:12 But these men, like brute beasts, created (with their
naturalinstincts) (Root in WEY NAS RSV NIV). Jude 1:10...
Instinctively (2 Occurrences)
Proper (62 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Belonging to the natural or essential constitution; peculiar; not common;
particular; as, every animal has his properinstincts and appetites....
Conscience (36 Occurrences)
... It is this which imparts to death its solemnity; we instinctively know that we are
going to our account. And such great naturalinstincts cannot be false....
Comparative
... places. It is perhaps the most powerful for good or evil of all theinstincts
(for it is an instinct) which influence mankind. 2...
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