Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, the concept of "slipping" is often used metaphorically to describe a spiritual or moral decline, a loss of footing in one's faith, or a deviation from the path of righteousness. This imagery is prevalent in both the Old and New Testaments, where the faithful are encouraged to remain steadfast and vigilant in their walk with God.
Old Testament ReferencesThe Psalms frequently employ the metaphor of slipping to express the psalmist's fear of falling away from God's favor or protection. In
Psalm 38:16, the psalmist pleads, "For I said, 'Let them not gloat over me—those who taunt me when my foot slips.'" Here, slipping is associated with vulnerability to enemies and the shame that accompanies spiritual failure.
Psalm 94:18 provides a comforting assurance of God's support: "If I say, 'My foot is slipping,' Your loving devotion, O LORD, will support me." This verse highlights the belief that God's steadfast love and faithfulness can prevent the faithful from falling into sin or despair.
New Testament InsightsIn the New Testament, the concept of slipping is less explicitly mentioned but is implicitly addressed through exhortations to remain firm in faith.
Hebrews 2:1 warns believers, "We must pay closer attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away." While the term "slip" is not used, the idea of drifting away conveys a similar sense of losing one's spiritual footing.
The Apostle Paul frequently encourages believers to stand firm in their faith. In
1 Corinthians 10:12, he cautions, "So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall." This admonition serves as a reminder that overconfidence in one's spiritual state can lead to a fall, akin to slipping.
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, slipping can be understood as a warning against complacency in one's spiritual life. The Bible emphasizes the need for constant vigilance, prayer, and reliance on God's strength to maintain a steady course. The imagery of slipping underscores human frailty and the ever-present danger of sin, while also highlighting God's readiness to uphold those who seek His help.
Practical ApplicationBelievers are encouraged to cultivate a life of prayer, study of Scripture, and fellowship with other Christians to guard against spiritual slipping. Regular self-examination and repentance are vital practices to ensure that one's spiritual footing remains secure. The community of faith plays a crucial role in supporting individuals who may be struggling, offering encouragement and accountability.
In summary, the biblical concept of slipping serves as a powerful metaphor for the challenges of maintaining a faithful walk with God. It calls for humility, vigilance, and a deep reliance on divine grace to navigate the complexities of life without losing one's spiritual footing.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Slip.
Greek
3901. pararreo -- to flow by, hence slip away... 3901 ("drift away from") only occurs in Heb 2:1 where it refers to going --
"sinning by
slipping away" (from God's anchor). 3901
...Strong's Hebrew
8277. sarad -- to escape... remain. A primitive root; properly, to puncture (compare sered), ie (figuratively
through the idea of
slipping out) to escape or survive -- remain.
...Library
The Passing and the Permanent
... reality about it. It is but a dream"a vision,slipping,slipping,slipping
away, and you and Islipping along with it. How foolishly...
Possessing, and "Working Out. "
... She thought that she was in a pit striving to get out"climbing andslipping, climbing
andslipping, climbing andslipping; at last she gave up the struggle...
The Underground Way into Life.
... He goes on: 'he that clingeth with strong self-love to his life will find itslipping,
slipping insistently out of his fingers, leaving a dry husk of a shell...
Chapter twelve
... be. She simply saw a soul that had tasted of the joy of a better life
slipping back again into its old hell of shame and death....
Foretastes of the Heavenly Life
... security, where the garment shall be always white, where the face shall be always
anointed with fresh oil, where there is no fear ofslipping or turning away...
The Timeliness of Prayer
... Or how can we but pray as we regain, under the very hand and pressure of God, the
sense of judgment which wasslipping from our easy and amiable creed?...
The Card Parties
... Besides this, John discovered that at these evening gatherings he could often replenish
his supply of tobacco byslipping a little from someone's pocket when...
The Right to My Own Time
... fields. My sister almost unconsciously beganslipping the full heads of grain
through her fingers, one after the other, as she passed....
The Fourth Word
... the final, extremest pang of death is the supreme moment of agony, when we feel
that we are being made to let go our hold on reality, areslipping back into...
On Laughter.
... For to children and women especially laughter is the cause ofslipping into scandal.
And even to appear stern serves to keep those about us at their distance....
Thesaurus
Slipping (20 Occurrences)...Slipping (20 Occurrences).
... (BBE). Genesis 39:12 And pulling at his coat, she said,
Come to my bed; but
slipping out of his coat, he went running away. (BBE).
...Slip (22 Occurrences)
... (vt) To bring forth (young) prematurely; to slink. 12. (n.) The act ofslipping;
as, a slip on the ice. 13. (n.) An unintentional error or fault; a false step....
Fate (138 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 32:35 Punishment is mine and reward, at the time of theslipping of
their feet: for the day of their downfall is near, sudden will be their fate....
Danger (118 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Psalms 26:1 <Of David.> O Lord, be my judge, for my behaviour has been upright:
I have put my faith in the Lord, I am not in danger ofslipping. (BBE)....
Quick-footed (7 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 46:6 Let not the quick-footed go in flight, or the man of war get away;
on the north, by the river Euphrates, they areslipping and falling. (BBE)....
Keepest (16 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Proverbs 24:11 If 'from' delivering those taken to death, And those
slipping to the slaughter -- thou keepest back. (YLT)....
Lapse (9 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A gap,slipping, or gradual fading; as, a lapse in judgment; an unobserved
or imperceptible progress or passing away; -- restricted usually to...
Gold-worker (6 Occurrences)
... the metal smooth said kind words to the iron-worker, saying of the plate, It is
ready: and he put it together with nails, so that there might be noslipping....
Welding (1 Occurrence)
... the metal smooth said kind words to the iron-worker, saying of the plate, It is
ready: and he put it together with nails, so that there might be noslipping....
Iron-worker (4 Occurrences)
... the metal smooth said kind words to the iron-worker, saying of the plate, It is
ready: and he put it together with nails, so that there might be noslipping....
Resources
What does the Bible say about budgeting? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the Stations of the Cross and what can we learn from them? | GotQuestions.orgSummary of the Book of Hebrews - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.orgSlipping: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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