Clash
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In the context of the Bible, the term "clash" can be understood as a conflict or confrontation between opposing forces, ideas, or individuals. Throughout Scripture, clashes occur on various levels, including spiritual, moral, and physical, often highlighting the struggle between good and evil, faith and unbelief, or obedience and rebellion.

Spiritual Clashes

One of the most significant spiritual clashes in the Bible is the ongoing battle between God and Satan. This cosmic conflict is evident in passages such as Ephesians 6:12, which states, "For 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 verse underscores the spiritual nature of the clash, emphasizing the need for believers to be equipped with the armor of God to stand firm against these forces.

Moral Clashes

Moral clashes are prevalent throughout the Bible, often depicted as the struggle between righteousness and sin. The account of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 is an early example, where Cain's jealousy and anger lead to the murder of his brother Abel, highlighting the clash between sinful desires and righteous living. Similarly, the prophets frequently confronted the moral failings of Israel, calling the people to repentance and a return to God's ways.

Physical Clashes

Physical clashes are also a recurring theme in the biblical narrative. The Old Testament is replete with accounts of battles and wars, often involving the Israelites and their enemies. One notable example is the clash between David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. This confrontation not only represents a physical battle but also a spiritual one, as David's faith in God enables him to triumph over the Philistine giant.

Clashes of Belief and Unbelief

The New Testament presents numerous instances of clashes between belief and unbelief. Jesus frequently encountered opposition from the religious leaders of His day, who clashed with Him over interpretations of the Law and His claims of divinity. In John 8:58-59, Jesus declares, "Truly, truly, I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am!" This statement led to a clash with the Jews, who considered it blasphemous and sought to stone Him.

Clashes within the Early Church

The early church also experienced internal clashes, as seen in the disagreements between Jewish and Gentile believers over the requirements of the Law. Acts 15 records the Jerusalem Council, where the apostles and elders addressed these issues, ultimately deciding that Gentile converts were not obligated to follow all the Jewish customs. This resolution helped to maintain unity within the church despite differing cultural backgrounds.

Personal Clashes

On a personal level, the Apostle Paul often wrote about the internal clash between the flesh and the spirit. In Romans 7:23, he describes this struggle: "But I see another law at work in my body, waging war against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me." This internal clash is a common experience for believers, who must rely on the Holy Spirit to overcome sinful tendencies and live according to God's will.

In summary, the concept of clash in the Bible encompasses a wide range of conflicts, each serving to illustrate the broader spiritual, moral, and physical battles that define the human experience in relation to God's redemptive plan.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (v. i.) To make a noise by striking against something; to dash noisily together.

2. (v. i.) To meet in opposition; to act in a contrary direction; to come onto collision; to interfere.

3. (v. t.) To strike noisily against or together.

4. (n.) A loud noise resulting from collision; a noisy collision of bodies; a collision.

5. (n.) Opposition; contradiction; as between differing or contending interests, views, purposes, etc.

Library

Hell.
... Oh, damned souls will have thoughts that will clash with glory, clash with justice,
clash with law, clash with themselves, clash with hell, and with the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxviii hell.htm

Love Wooing yet More.
... His presence is a restraint.[97]. Then a second clash of wills comes a day or so
later. ... It's the sharpest clash yet. They are at a high fever point. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/love wooing yet more.htm

The Cross as a Social Principle
... only by conflict. "Truth forever on the scaffold, Wrong forever on the throne."
This clash involves suffering. This suffering will ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter xi the cross as.htm

The Festival of Games, in Honor of Augustus, were About to Begin ...
... Swiftly Vergilius approached him and the two met with a clash of steel. ... He gave him
no chance to stop or turn aside. Yells of fury drowned the clash of steel. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 24 the festival of.htm

The Fallacy of the Young Nation
... and Scotland pass their time in paying each other compliments; but their energies
and atmospheres run distinct and parallel, and consequently do not clash. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/xviii the fallacy of the.htm

God's People Delivered.
... Everything in nature seems turned out of its course. The streams cease to flow.
Dark, heavy clouds come up, and clash against each other. ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /40 gods people delivered.htm

God's People Delivered
... Everything in nature seems turned out of its course. The streams cease to flow.
Dark, heavy clouds come up and clash against each other. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 40 gods people delivered.htm

Paragraphs from Notable Speeches
... He must recognize that the intelligent exercise of political rights, which is a
privilege in a monarchy, is a duty in a republic If it clash with his case, his ...
/.../paragraphs from notable speeches.htm

Eighth Tractate. On the Nature and Source of Evil.
... in nature: the contrariety does not depend upon quality or upon the existence of
a distinct genus of beings, but upon the utmost difference, clash in content ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/eighth tractate on the nature.htm

Fifth Tractate. Problems of the Soul (3). [Also Entitled "On Sight ...
... the intervenient is modified only by the accident of its midway position, so that,
failing any intervenient, whatsoever sound two bodies in clash might make ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/fifth tractate problems of the.htm

Thesaurus
Clash (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Clash (2 Occurrences). Job 39:21 He paweth in the valley,
and rejoiceth in his strength: He goeth out to meet the armed men. (See JPS) ...
/c/clash.htm - 7k

Jar (45 Occurrences)
... jarred on my ears. 5. (vi) To act in opposition or disagreement; to clash;
to interfere; to quarrel; to dispute. 6. (vt) To cause ...
/j/jar.htm - 21k

Vow (49 Occurrences)
... 18 (compare Acts 21:23, 24) Paul desires to show his Jewish brethren that he is
willing to keep the forms of Jewish piety so long as they do not clash with his ...
/v/vow.htm - 27k

Knock (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (vi) To drive or be driven against something; to strike
against something; to clash; as, one heavy body knocks against another. ...
/k/knock.htm - 11k

Occur (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To meet; to clash. 2. (vi) To go in order
to meet; to make reply. 3. (vi) To meet one's eye; to ...
/o/occur.htm - 10k

Justle (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To run or strike against each other; to
encounter; to clash; to jostle. 2. (vt) To push; to drive ...
/j/justle.htm - 7k

Thwart (5 Occurrences)
... 8. (vi) To move or go in an oblique or crosswise manner. 9. (vi) Hence, to be in
opposition; to clash. Multi-Version Concordance Thwart (5 Occurrences). ...
/t/thwart.htm - 8k

Discord (7 Occurrences)
... concord. 3. (n.) To disagree; to be discordant; to jar; to clash; not to
suit. Multi-Version Concordance Discord (7 Occurrences). ...
/d/discord.htm - 8k

Collide (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To strike or dash against each other; to
clash; as, the vessels collided; their interests collided. ...
/c/collide.htm - 7k

Clashing (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Clash. Multi-Version
Concordance Clashing (1 Occurrence). Psalms 150:5 Praise Him ...
/c/clashing.htm - 6k

Resources
Is the universe expanding? | GotQuestions.org

I'm young. How can I live the Christian life? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say that would apply to selfie culture? | GotQuestions.org

Clash: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Clash (2 Occurrences)

Job 39:21
He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: He goeth out to meet the armed men.
(See JPS)

Psalms 150:5
Praise Him with the loud-sounding cymbals; praise Him with the clanging cymbals.
(See RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Clash

Related Terms

Cymbal (1 Occurrence)

Clash (2 Occurrences)

Colors (12 Occurrences)

Clasp (2 Occurrences)

Color (18 Occurrences)

Clarity of Identity
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