Topical Encyclopedia
The term "averse" generally refers to a strong feeling of opposition or dislike. In the context of the Bible, while the specific word "averse" may not frequently appear in most translations, the concept is evident throughout Scripture in various forms of resistance or opposition to God's will, commands, or moral standards.
Biblical Context and Usage1.
Human Aversion to God’s Commands: Throughout the Bible, there are numerous instances where individuals or groups exhibit aversion to God's instructions. This aversion often leads to disobedience and sin. For example, in the Old Testament, the Israelites frequently showed aversion to God's laws, resulting in periods of rebellion and idolatry. In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the Pharisees and teachers of the law, who were averse to His teachings and the new covenant He was establishing (
Matthew 23:13-36).
2.
Aversion to Sin: Conversely, Scripture also calls believers to be averse to sin and evil. In
Romans 12:9 , Paul exhorts, "Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good." This aversion to sin is a hallmark of a life transformed by the Holy Spirit, as believers are called to pursue holiness and righteousness.
3.
God’s Aversion to Sin: The Bible clearly depicts God's aversion to sin and unrighteousness.
Habakkuk 1:13 states, "Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing." God's holy nature is inherently opposed to sin, and this aversion is a driving force behind His judgments and the need for atonement through Jesus Christ.
4.
Aversion in Relationships: The Bible also addresses aversion in interpersonal relationships.
Proverbs 6:16-19 lists things that the Lord hates, including "a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who stirs up conflict in the community." These verses highlight behaviors that should be avoided and are indicative of a heart not aligned with God's will.
5.
Spiritual Warfare: Believers are called to be averse to the spiritual forces of evil.
Ephesians 6:12 reminds Christians that "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This aversion is part of the spiritual warfare that believers are engaged in, requiring the armor of God to stand firm.
Theological ImplicationsThe concept of aversion in the Bible underscores the tension between human nature and divine holiness. It highlights the need for redemption and transformation through Christ, enabling believers to overcome their natural aversion to God's ways and instead develop an aversion to sin. This transformation is central to the Christian life, as it aligns believers with God's purposes and character.
Practical ApplicationChristians are encouraged to examine their hearts and lives for areas where they may be averse to God's will. Through prayer, study of Scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, believers can cultivate a heart that is averse to sin and aligned with God's righteousness. This involves a continual process of repentance, renewal, and growth in holiness.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Reluctant; hesitant; indisposed; disinclined; as, averse to heavy labor.
2. (a.) Having a repugnance or opposition of mind; disliking; disinclined; unwilling; reluctant.
3. (v. t. & i.) To turn away.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
AVERSEa-vurs' shabh, "to turn back," ("retreat"): Quiet, peaceful wanderers (Micah 2:8).
Strong's Hebrew
7725. shub -- to turn back, return... feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) X again, (cause
to) answer (+ again), X in any case (wise), X at all,
averse, bring (again
...Library
How Hermes Openly Confessed the Error of his Forefathers, the...
... the prospect of whose removal he was sorrowful, had been instituted, not by prudent,
faithful, and religious, but by erring and unbelieving men,averse to the...
If You Ask
... For what enabled Adam to love God? Was it not that God loved him? What constrained
him to beaverse from God? Was it not that God wasaverse from him?...
On Perfection
... 2. Why are you soaverse to having in you the whole "mind which was in Christ Jesus?" "
all the affections, all the tempers and dispositions, which were in...
To the Rev. A. Brandram
... of the kind, as probably the books would be seized on the first attempt to introduce
them into Toledo, as the priests and canons were muchaverse to their...
The Most Ancient and Most Respectable of the Christian Fathers...
... Nevertheless, this man whose character is personated is not in every respectaverse
from good things, but in purpose and in will he begins to seek after good...
How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, for Growth in Knowledge.
... 3. And to help forward our jealousy of our own hearts and watchfulness, we should
remember that our hearts naturally areaverse from any true and saving...
Thoughts Upon Self-Denyal.
... But being now perverted, and corrupt with Sin, our Wills are naturally inclined
to the Evil which they should heaverse from andaverse from the Good which...
The Ministry and Prayer
... Soaverse was the general body of Christ's disciples to prayer, having so little
taste for it, and having so little sympathy with Him in the deep things of...
The Preface.
... Nothing is so voluntary as Religion. In which, if the mind beaverse, Religion is
quite destroyed. Faith is to be wrought by perswasion, not by compulsion....
Additional Evidences of Christianity, and Reflections on the Whole...
... so it is that these prophecies are to this day extant in their original language;
and this, in the hands of a people most implacablyaverse to the Gospel: so...
Thesaurus
Averse (2 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Reluctant; hesitant; indisposed; disinclined;
as,
averse to heavy labor.
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
AVERSE.
...Avenging (10 Occurrences)
Kind (290 Occurrences)
... 3. (superl.) Showing tenderness or goodness; disposed to do good and confer happiness;
averse to hurting or paining; benevolent; benignant; gracious....
Lazy (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (superl.) Disinclined to action or exertion;
averse to labor; idle; shirking work. 2. (superl.) Inactive...
Loath (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Filled with disgust or aversion;averse;
unwilling; reluctant; as, loath to part with one's money....
Willing (152 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) Free to do or to grant; having the mind inclined; not opposed in mind; not
choosing to refuse; disposed; notaverse; desirous; consenting; complying...
Idle (33 Occurrences)
... 4. (superl.) Given rest and ease;averse to labor or employment; lazy; slothful;
as, an idle fellow. 5. (superl.) Light-headed; foolish....
Restless (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Not satisfied to be at rest or in peace;averse to repose or quiet; eager
for change; discontented; as, restless schemers; restless ambition; restless...
Restive (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (a.) Uneasy; restless;averse to standing still; fidgeting about; -- applied
especially to horses. Multi-Version Concordance Restive (1 Occurrence)....
Backward (39 Occurrences)
... 1. (adv.) Alt. of Backwards. 2. (a.) Directed to the back or rear; as, backward
glances. 3. (a.) Unwilling;averse; reluctant; hesitating; loath....
Resources
What are the dangers of postmodernism? | GotQuestions.orgWhy are there so few men in the church? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the New American Bible (NAB)? | GotQuestions.orgAverse: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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