Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of biblical teachings, the concept of being "sensitive" can be understood as possessing a heightened awareness and responsiveness to the spiritual, emotional, and moral dimensions of life. This sensitivity is often seen as a virtue, enabling individuals to discern God's will, empathize with others, and respond appropriately to the needs and circumstances around them.
Spiritual SensitivitySpiritual sensitivity involves being attuned to the voice and guidance of the Holy Spirit. In the New Testament, believers are encouraged to be led by the Spirit, which requires a sensitivity to His promptings.
Romans 8:14 states, "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." This sensitivity is cultivated through prayer, meditation on Scripture, and a life of obedience and submission to God's will.
The Apostle Paul exemplifies spiritual sensitivity in
Acts 16:6-7 , where he and his companions were "kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia" and later "the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them" to enter Bithynia. This demonstrates a keen awareness and responsiveness to divine direction.
Emotional SensitivityEmotional sensitivity is the ability to perceive and respond to the feelings and needs of others. This is closely related to the biblical call to love one's neighbor as oneself (
Mark 12:31). Jesus Himself displayed profound emotional sensitivity, as seen in
John 11:35 , "Jesus wept," showing His empathy and compassion for the grieving.
The Apostle Paul also encourages believers to "Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep" (
Romans 12:15), highlighting the importance of sharing in the emotional experiences of others. This sensitivity fosters community, understanding, and support within the body of Christ.
Moral SensitivityMoral sensitivity involves an acute awareness of right and wrong, guided by a conscience informed by Scripture.
Hebrews 5:14 speaks of mature believers who "by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil." This moral discernment is essential for living a life that honors God and upholds His commandments.
The Bible warns against the hardening of the heart, which diminishes moral sensitivity.
Ephesians 4:18-19 describes those who are "darkened in their understanding" and have "lost all sensitivity," leading to a life of impurity. In contrast, believers are called to maintain a tender heart, responsive to God's moral standards.
Cultivating SensitivityCultivating sensitivity in these areas requires intentional effort and reliance on God's grace. Regular engagement with Scripture, prayer, and fellowship with other believers are vital practices.
James 1:19 advises, "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger," underscoring the importance of a receptive and patient spirit.
Ultimately, sensitivity is a reflection of the character of Christ, who perfectly balanced spiritual, emotional, and moral awareness. Believers are called to emulate His example, growing in sensitivity as they mature in their faith and relationship with God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Having sense of feeling; possessing or exhibiting the capacity of receiving impressions from external objects; as, a sensitive soul.
2. (a.) Having quick and acute sensibility, either to the action of external objects, or to impressions upon the mind and feelings; highly susceptible; easily and acutely affected.
3. (a.) Having a capacity of being easily affected or moved; as, a sensitive thermometer; sensitive scales.
4. (a.) Readily affected or changed by certain appropriate agents; as, silver chloride or bromide, when in contact with certain organic substances, is extremely sensitive to actinic rays.
5. (a.) Serving to affect the sense; sensible.
6. (a.) of or pertaining to sensation; depending on sensation; as, sensitive motions; sensitive muscular motions excited by irritation.
Greek
5591. psuchikos -- natural, of the soul or mind... From psuche;
sensitive, ie Animate (in distinction on the one hand from pneumatikos,
which is the higher or renovated nature; and on the other from phusikos
...5424. phren -- midriff, heart, mind, thought
... in or curb; compare phrasso); the midrif (as a partition of the body), ie (figuratively
and by implication, of sympathy) the feelings (orsensitive nature; by...
Strong's Hebrew
4187. Mushi -- "sensitive," a Levite... 4186, 4187. Mushi or Mushshi. 4188 . "
sensitive," a Levite. Transliteration:
Mushi or Mushshi Phonetic Spelling: (moo-shee') Short Definition: Mushi.
...Library
Whether the Will is Moved by theSensitive Appetite?
... OF THAT WHICH MOVES THE WILL (SIX ARTICLES) Whether the will is moved by thesensitive
appetite?... Therefore thesensitive appetite does not move the will....
Whether the Act of theSensitive Appetite is Commanded?
... OF THE ACTS COMMANDED BY THE WILL (NINE ARTICLES) Whether the act of thesensitive
appetite is commanded?... But to lust is an act of thesensitive appetite....
Whether theSensitive Powers of Apprehension are the Subject of...
... OF THE SUBJECT OF VIRTUE (SIX ARTICLES) Whether thesensitive powers of
apprehension are the subject of virtue? Objection 1: It...
Whether theSensitive Soul is Transmitted with the Semen?
... OF THE PRODUCTION OF MAN FROM MAN AS TO THE SOUL (THREE ARTICLES) Whether
thesensitive soul is transmitted with the semen? Objection...
Whether Passion is in theSensitive Appetite Rather than in the...
... TREATISE ON THE PASSIONS (QQ -48)OF THE SUBJECT OF THE SOUL'S PASSIONS (THREE ARTICLES)
Whether passion is in thesensitive appetite rather than in the...
Whether theSensitive Appetite is Divided into the Irascible and...
... OF THE POWER OF SENSUALITY (THREE ARTICLES) Whether thesensitive appetite is
divided into the irascible and concupiscible as distinct powers?...
Whether Concupiscence is in theSensitive Appetite Only?
... OF CONCUPISCENCE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether concupiscence is in thesensitive appetite
only?... Therefore concupiscence is not only in thesensitive appetite....
Whether the Acts of theSensitive Powers Remain in the Separated...
... OF THE SOUL AFTER LEAVING THE BODY, AND OF THE PUNISHMENT INFLICTED ON IT BY MATERIAL
FIRE (THREE ARTICLES) Whether the acts of thesensitive powers remain in...
Whether the vice of Curiosity is AboutSensitive Knowledge?
... OF CURIOSITY (TWO ARTICLES) Whether the vice of curiosity is aboutsensitive
knowledge? Objection 1: It would seem that the vice...
Whether Happiness is an Operation of theSensitive Part, or of the...
... WHAT IS HAPPINESS (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether happiness is an operation of the
sensitive part, or of the intellective part only? Objection...
Thesaurus
Sensitive (2 Occurrences)... 1. (a.) Having sense of feeling; possessing or exhibiting the capacity of receiving
impressions from external objects; as, a
sensitive soul.
...Quick (49 Occurrences)
... 5. (superl.) Fresh; bracing; sharp; keen. 6. (superl.)Sensitive; perceptive in
a high degree; ready; as, a quick ear. 7. (superl.) Pregnant; with child....
Sensitivity (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The quality or state of beingsensitive; -- used
chiefly in science and the arts; as, the sensitivity of iodized silver....
Sensible (15 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Hence: Liable to impression from without; easily affected; having nice
perception or acute feeling;sensitive; also, readily moved or affected by...
Sinlessness
... mere automatic or effortless condition. He issensitive to temptation,
to a degree which makes it agony. His sinlessness, as to...
Vision (106 Occurrences)
... by which colors and the physical qualities of external objects are appreciated as
a result of the stimulating action of light on thesensitive retina, an...
Nervous (1 Occurrence)
... easily agitated or annoyed. 5. (a.)Sensitive; excitable; timid. Multi-Version
Concordance Nervous (1 Occurrence). 2 Corinthians 7...
Gross (12 Occurrences)
... 2. (superl.) Coarse; rough; not fine or delicate. 3. (superl.) Not easily aroused
or excited; notsensitive in perception or feeling; dull; witless....
Irritable (2 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Susceptible of irritation; undulysensitive to irritants or stimuli. See
Irritation, n., 3. Multi-Version Concordance Irritable (2 Occurrences)....
Insensitive (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Notsensitive; wanting sensation, or wanting acute
sensibility. Multi-Version Concordance Insensitive (1 Occurrence)....
Resources
Should a church be seeker sensitive? | GotQuestions.orgThe needs of the world overwhelm me. Am I too sensitive? | GotQuestions.orgHow can Christians be sensitive to Muslim/Islamic culture? | GotQuestions.orgSensitive: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
