Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of biblical teachings, the concept of "positively" can be understood as an attitude or approach that aligns with the virtues and principles outlined in Scripture. While the term "positively" itself may not be explicitly mentioned in the Bible, the essence of a positive outlook is deeply embedded in the teachings of faith, hope, love, and trust in God.
Faith and Trust in God: A positive attitude is often rooted in faith and trust in God.
Hebrews 11:1 states, "Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." This assurance and certainty provide believers with a positive outlook, knowing that God's promises are true and reliable. Trusting in God's plan, as seen in
Proverbs 3:5-6 , "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," encourages believers to maintain a positive perspective even in uncertain times.
Hope: The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of hope, which is inherently positive.
Romans 15:13 says, "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." This overflowing hope is a source of positivity, enabling believers to face challenges with confidence and joy.
Love and Encouragement: Love is a central theme in the Bible, and it fosters a positive environment.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 describes love as patient, kind, and not easily angered, rejoicing in the truth. This passage highlights the positive attributes of love that believers are called to embody. Additionally,
Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages believers to "spur one another on to love and good deeds," promoting a community of positive encouragement and support.
Joy and Rejoicing: The Bible frequently calls believers to rejoice and be joyful, which are expressions of a positive spirit.
Philippians 4:4 instructs, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" This command to rejoice is a call to maintain a positive attitude, regardless of circumstances, by focusing on the goodness and faithfulness of God.
Gratitude: A positive outlook is often accompanied by a spirit of gratitude.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 advises, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." Gratitude shifts focus from negative aspects to the blessings and grace provided by God, fostering a positive mindset.
Overcoming Negativity: The Bible acknowledges the presence of trials and challenges but encourages believers to overcome negativity through faith.
James 1:2-4 states, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." This perspective transforms challenges into opportunities for growth, reinforcing a positive approach to life's difficulties.
In summary, while the Bible may not use the term "positively" directly, its teachings consistently promote a positive attitude through faith, hope, love, joy, gratitude, and perseverance. These principles guide believers to live in a manner that reflects the light and love of Christ, fostering a positive impact on themselves and those around them.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
adv.) In a positive manner; absolutely; really; expressly; with certainty; indubitably; peremptorily; dogmatically; -- opposed to negatively.
Greek
570. apistia -- unbelief... unbelief. From apistos; faithlessness, ie (negatively) disbelief (lack of Christian
faith), or (
positively) unfaithfulness (disobedience) -- unbelief.
...4561. sarx -- flesh
... Indeed, it is usedpositively in relation to sexual intercourse in marriage (Eph
5:31) -- as well as for the sinless human body of Jesus (Jn 1:14; 1 Jn 4:2,3...
4793. sugkrino -- to combine, compare
...Positively, 4793 ("closely compare") means grasping truths as they are ""
into one entity, ie where each is understood (, 1 Cor 2:14)....
4291. proistemi -- early
... 4253 , "before" and 2476 , "to stand") -- properly, "pre-standing," referring to
a pre-set (well-established) character which to , ie topositively impact them...
1301. diatereo -- to keep carefully
... keep. From dia and tereo; to watch thoroughly, ie (positively and transitively)
to observe strictly, or (negatively and reflexively) to avoid wholly -- keep....
5401. phobos -- panic flight, fear, the causing of fear, terror
... Fear (5401 ) is commonly used in Scripture -- sometimespositively (in relation
to God) but more often negatively of the Lord (His will)....
1252. diakrino -- to distinguish, to judge
... and-forth," which intensifies 2919 , "to judge") -- properly, investigate (judge) --
literally, judging "back-and-forth" which can either (positively) refer to...
4729. stenochoreo -- to be made narrow, to compress
... an area, space") -- properly, to restrict, keep in a closed space; , severely cramp;
(figuratively) for someone, like when refusing topositively because of a...
2205. zelos -- to have warmth of feeling for or against, to be...
... Spirit-fueled zeal to . This root () is used both negatively ("jealousy")
andpositively ("zeal") depending on . [The root (, "zeal...
2746. kauchesis -- a boasting
... Cognate: 2746 (a feminine noun) -- boasting, which can either be in the
"achievements" of (negatively) or about (positively). See 2744 ()....
Strong's Hebrew
4513. mana -- to withhold, hold back... A primitive root; to debar (negatively or
positively) from benefit or injury --
deny, keep (back), refrain, restrain, withhold. 4512, 4513. mana. 4514 .
...3533. kabash -- to subdue, bring into bondage
... A primitive root; to tread down; hence, negatively, to disregard;positively, to
conquer, subjugate, violate -- bring into bondage, force, keep under, subdue...
Library
Mystery and Faith
... when we say "This cause which produced that effect yesterday will produce a similar
effect today or tomorrow?" How do we know"positively know, that it will...
Fragrant Spices from the Mountains of Myrrh. "Thou Art all Fair...
... the gold of His opinions by the bright glittering of His expressions; and, therefore,
in order that there may be no mistake, He states itpositively: "Thou art...
Definition of Actual Grace
... the bounds of nature. Considered as purely gratuitous favors, they are
negatively andpositively undeserved. The grace involved...
The Second Epistle General of Peter
... of the 2nd and 3rd centuries is certainly meagre in the case of 2 Peter, we cannot
argue that comparative lack of evidence meanspositively hostile evidence....
The Sin of Omission.
... unto, or any transgression of, the law of God." Not to be conformed, in the heart,
to the law and will of God, is as truly sin, aspositively to steal, or...
Disputed Questions About the Limits of Knowledge and Certainty in...
... to deal with that knottiest of questions which baffled the most acute men of the
Academy, whether a wise man ought ever to affirm anythingpositively lest he...
A Free Agent Enslaved.
... I remember speaking in the Boston noonday meeting, in the old Broomfield Street
ME Church on this subject one week. Perhaps I was speaking ratherpositively....
Matt. vi. 16
... to pray, but He covertly intimated the same thing again; so likewise here, in
commanding us "to be anointed," He did not enact that wepositively must anoint...
The Rich Man and Lazarus
... or was there not? Is it not bold enough,positively to deny what our blessed
Lordpositively affirms? Therefore, we cannot reasonably...
Christ's Reply to the Sadducees About the Resurrection. (Matt....
... He thus refuted the Sadducees, both negatively andpositively. Negatively,
by showing that their question went on the false hypothesis...
Thesaurus
Positively (1 Occurrence)... to negatively. Multi-Version Concordance
Positively (1 Occurrence). Genesis
43:3 And Judah spoke to him, saying, The man did
positively...Affirm (7 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To assertpositively; to tell with confidence; to aver; to maintain as true; --
opposed to deny.... 4. (vi) To declare or assertpositively....
Positions (41 Occurrences)
Zeboiim (7 Occurrences)
... The site has not beenpositively identified, but must be determined by the general
questions connected with the Vale of Siddim. See SIDDIM, VALE OF....
Zarethan (4 Occurrences)
... similarity of the Hebrew letters daleth and resh. The place has not been
positively identical. From the suggestion that the name means...
Neighbor (123 Occurrences)
... But the supreme law that underlies these negative injunctions is statedpositively.
"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" (Leviticus 19:18)....
Lying (203 Occurrences)
... They arepositively and absolutely excluded from heaven (Revelation 21:27; Revelation
22:15), and those who are guilty of this sin are cast into the lake of...
Infinitude
... There is nothing beyond the compass of God's understanding; or,positively,
His understanding embraces everything there is to know....
Infinite (8 Occurrences)
... There is nothing beyond the compass of God's understanding; or,positively,
His understanding embraces everything there is to know....
Eternity (23 Occurrences)
... 1. Contrast with Time: Eternity is best conceived, not in the merely negative form
of the non-temporal, or immeasurable time, butpositively, as the mode of...
Resources
How should Christians handle disputes (Matthew 18:15-17)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about sowing and reaping? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is continuationism? What is a continuationist? | GotQuestions.orgPositively: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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