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The concept of mimicry, while not explicitly named in the Bible, can be understood through various scriptural principles and narratives that address imitation, both positive and negative. The act of mimicking or imitating is often associated with the idea of following an example, whether it be divine, human, or worldly.

Imitation of God and Christ

The Bible encourages believers to imitate God and Christ as a model for righteous living. InEphesians 5:1-2, the Apostle Paul exhorts, "Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God." Here, mimicry is presented as a positive and desirable action, where believers are called to emulate the love and sacrifice demonstrated by Christ.

Similarly, in1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul urges the Corinthians, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." This highlights the importance of following the example of those who themselves are following Christ, creating a chain of godly imitation that leads back to the ultimate example, Jesus Christ.

Imitation of Faithful Leaders

The Bible also speaks to the value of imitating the faith and conduct of spiritual leaders.Hebrews 13:7 states, "Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith." This passage underscores the importance of observing and mimicking the faithfulness and dedication of those who have gone before us in the faith.

Warnings Against Negative Imitation

Conversely, Scripture warns against mimicking the behaviors and practices of the ungodly. InRomans 12:2, Paul advises, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This verse cautions against adopting the patterns and values of the secular world, urging believers instead to seek transformation through a renewed mind aligned with God's will.

The Old Testament also provides examples of negative mimicry, particularly in the context of idolatry and pagan practices. InLeviticus 18:3, God commands the Israelites, "You must not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices." This directive highlights the danger of imitating the sinful customs of surrounding nations, which could lead the Israelites away from their covenant relationship with God.

Imitation in the Early Church

The early church is depicted as a community that practiced positive mimicry, as seen inActs 2:42-47, where believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. This communal life served as a model for future generations of Christians, demonstrating the power of collective imitation in fostering spiritual growth and unity.

Conclusion

While the term "mimic" is not directly used in the Bible, the concept of imitation is woven throughout Scripture, offering both encouragement and caution. Believers are called to imitate the holiness and love of God, the faithfulness of Christ, and the godly examples of spiritual leaders, while being vigilant against adopting the sinful patterns of the world.1. (v.) To imitate speech and actions.

2. (n.) One who imitates or mimics, especially one who does so for sport; a copyist; a buffoon.

3. (v. t.) To imitate or ape for sport; to ridicule by imitation.

4. (v. t.) To assume a resemblance to (some other organism of a totally different nature, or some surrounding object), as a means of protection or advantage.

DRAMA MIMIC

dra'-ma mim'-ik. SeeGAMES.

3401. mimeomai -- to imitate
... Word Origin from mimos (amimic) Definition to imitate NASB Word Usage
follow...example (2), imitate (2). follow. Middle voice from...

Concerning the Likeness and Agreement of the Fabulous and Civil...
... And they who appointed the Epulones as parasites at the table of Jupiter,
what else did they wish for butmimic sacred rites. For...

Concerning the Special Offices of the Gods.
... function,"about which we have spoken much already, though not all that is to be
said concerning it,"are they not more consistent withmimic buffoonery than...

Of those who Maintain that they Worship the Gods not for the Sake...
... men, to teach on what account each god is to be worshipped, and what is to be sought
from each, lest with most disgraceful absurdity, such as amimic is wont...

Renewed Cautions.
... For these are subtle wolves, [1242] and apes thatmimic the appearance of men.
Footnotes: [1240] Philippians 3:18, 19. [1241] The text is here doubtful....

School Days
... So they heldmimic tournaments and played games in which they hurled lances through
suspended rings; they shot with bows and arrows; and of course they had...

Conclusion.
... Nineteen hundred years have gone since all that we saw represented yesterday was
no meremimic show but deadly tragic fact; nineteen hundred years during which...

The Treasure House
... Pearl Drops, keenly humorous, is a famousmimic and I once had the delight of,
unnoticed, joining an audience which she was fascinating by her mimicry of an...

Argument: Tortures Most Unjustly Inflicted for the Confession of...
... In the scenic games also the madness is not less, but the debauchery is more prolonged:
for now amimic either expounds or shows forth adulteries; now...

The Touchstone of Godly Sincerity
... of his agents, he always leaves a weak point; his clattering statements are a little
too strongly scented and smell of a lie; and hismimic Christians are so...

The Roman Conflagration and the Neronian Persecution.
... an insane passion for popular applause; he played on the lyre; he sung his odes
at supper; he drove his chariots in the circus; he appeared as amimic on the...

Mimic
... surrounding object), as a means of protection or advantage. Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia. DRAMAMIMIC. dra'-ma mim'-ik. See GAMES....

Mock (43 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To imitate; tomimic; esp., tomimic in
sport, contempt, or derision; to deride by mimicry. 2. (vt...

Ape
... apes. 2. (n.) One who imitates servilely (in allusion to the manners of
the ape); amimic. 3. (n.) A dupe. 4. (vt) Tomimic, as...

Millstones (6 Occurrences)

Mina (6 Occurrences)

Drama
... pertaining to or illustrating it; dramatic literature. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. DRAMAMIMIC. dra'-ma mim'-ik. See GAMES....

Belie (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (v.) To tell lie about; to calumniate; to slander. 4. (v.) Tomimic; to counterfeit.
5. (v.) To fill with lies. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BELIE....

Counterfeit (3 Occurrences)
... impostor; a cheat. 7. (vt) To imitate, or put on a semblance of; tomimic;
as, to counterfeit the voice of another person. 8. (vt) To...

Games (2 Occurrences)
... accounts in Les enfants de Nazareth, by the Abbe Le Camus (60-66; 101-10), of the
way in which the children of the modern Nazarethmimic scenes connected with...

Sea (4178 Occurrences)
... in a long line of foam down the steep declivity, bearing along huge fragments of
rocks, which, striking against each other, sounded likemimic thunder." I can...

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