In the context of the Bible, the concept of "diminishing" can be understood in various ways, including the reduction of material wealth, spiritual decline, or the decrease of influence and power. The theme of diminishing is often used to illustrate the consequences of disobedience to God, the transient nature of earthly possessions, and the importance of humility.

Material Diminishing

The Bible frequently addresses the diminishing of material wealth as a result of disobedience to God's commandments. In Deuteronomy 28, God outlines the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience. Among the curses, there is a clear indication that disobedience will lead to a reduction in prosperity: "You will sow much seed in the field but harvest little, because locusts will consume it" (Deuteronomy 28:38). This passage highlights the principle that turning away from God can lead to a decrease in material abundance.

Spiritual Diminishing

Spiritual diminishing is another significant theme in Scripture. The Bible warns against the dangers of spiritual decline and the consequences of turning away from God. In Revelation, the church in Ephesus is admonished for having "forsaken the love you had at first" (Revelation 2:4). This spiritual diminishing is a warning to believers to remain steadfast in their faith and love for God, lest they lose their spiritual vitality and effectiveness.

Diminishing Influence and Power

The Bible also speaks to the diminishing of influence and power as a result of pride and disobedience. King Saul is a prime example of this principle. Initially chosen by God to lead Israel, Saul's disobedience and pride led to his downfall. In 1 Samuel 15:26, Samuel tells Saul, "You have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you as king over Israel" . Saul's diminishing influence serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the importance of obedience to God.

Humility and Diminishing

Conversely, the Bible teaches that voluntary diminishing, or humility, is a virtue that leads to exaltation by God. John the Baptist exemplifies this attitude when he says of Jesus, "He must increase; I must decrease" (John 3:30). This statement reflects the biblical principle that true greatness is found in humility and selflessness, as echoed in James 4:10: "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you" .

Diminishing in the Prophets

The prophetic books often speak of diminishing as a consequence of Israel's unfaithfulness. The prophet Isaiah warns of the diminishing of Israel due to their sins: "The LORD has sent a message against Jacob, and it will fall on Israel. All the people will know it—Ephraim and the dwellers of Samaria" (Isaiah 9:8-9). This serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of turning away from God's covenant.

Conclusion

The theme of diminishing in the Bible serves as a multifaceted lesson on the consequences of disobedience, the fleeting nature of earthly possessions, and the virtue of humility. Through various narratives and teachings, Scripture underscores the importance of faithfulness to God and the dangers of pride and self-reliance.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Diminish.2275. hettema -- loss
... diminishing, fault. From hettao; a deterioration, ie (objectively) failure or
(subjectively) loss -- diminishing, fault. see GREEK hettao. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2275.htm - 6k

Whether Suffrages Profit those who are in Hell?
... iv, Tract.14) said that suffrages profit the damned not by diminishing or interrupting
their punishment, but by fortifying the person punished: even as a man ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether suffrages profit those who.htm

Mortification
... in an isolated case succeed, but even then the slightly prolonged gratification
is no compensation for the slow torture of a gradually diminishing indulgence. ...
/.../drummond/natural law in the spiritual world/mortification.htm

The Christian Conception of Life Has Already Arisen in Our Society ...
... by it" Already Violence is Regarded from a Different Point of View; the Number of
those who are Ready to Serve the Government is Diminishing; and even the ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter xi the christian conception.htm

Shod for the Road
... With diminishing power, with diminishing vitality, with a dimmer eye, with an obtuser
ear, with a slower-beating heart, with a feebler frame, we march on and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/shod for the road.htm

The Revolt of Babylon.
... They strengthened their defenses, and accumulated great stores of provisions, and
took measures for diminishing that part of the population which would be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter vii the revolt of.htm

The Afterglow
... of 1917 the parish audaciously built the Centennial Chapel, so the tragic repetition
of world war sees in the present rector and people no diminishing of that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/herrick/frank h nelson of cincinnati/the afterglow.htm

Sin is Spiritual Slavery
... It destroys the power to do right, which is man's true freedom. The effect of vicious
habit in diminishing a man's ability to resist temptation is proverbial. ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/sin is spiritual slavery.htm

Of the Lower Members.
... figure should deform the feet; but they are at once strengthened and adorned by
well-turned [1909] calves gently standing out and gradually diminishing. ...
/.../lactantius/on the workmanship of god/chap xiii of the lower members.htm

Piety.
... Its activity is often developed and exercised at the expense of the will, by
diminishing and enfeebling the power and influence of the latter. ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter xi piety.htm

Appendix 3 the Meaning of "Kosmos" in John 3:16
... "Kosmos" is used of Gentiles in contrast from Jews: Romans 11:12 etc. "Now if the
fall of them (Israel) be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/appendix 3 the meaning of.htm

Diminishing (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Diminish. Multi-Version
Concordance Diminishing (1 Occurrence). Romans 11:12 Now if ...
/d/diminishing.htm - 6k

Diminution (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) Reduction in size, quantity, or degree; the act of diminishing, or of making
or becoming less; state of being diminished; -- opposed to augmentation or ...
/d/diminution.htm - 7k

Wasting (57 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Waste. 2. (a.) Causing waste; also, undergoing waste;
diminishing; as, a wasting disease; a wasting fortune. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/w/wasting.htm - 23k

Fluent (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (n.) A variable quantity, considered as increasing or diminishing; -- called,
in the modern calculus, the function or integral. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/f/fluent.htm - 7k

Fulness (76 Occurrences)
... Romans 11:12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing
of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? ...
/f/fulness.htm - 30k

Diminisheth (1 Occurrence)

/d/diminisheth.htm - 6k

Moabites (26 Occurrences)
... About 13 miles back from the mouth of the river the gorge divides, and farther back
it subdivides, so that several valleys are formed of diminishing depth as ...
/m/moabites.htm - 28k

Spring (122 Occurrences)
... steel, India rubber, tough wood, or compressed air, used for various mechanical
purposes, as receiving and imparting power, diminishing concussion, regulating ...
/s/spring.htm - 40k

Simeon (48 Occurrences)
... Numbers 1:22, where the Simeonites are given as 59,300, compared with the 2nd census
(Numbers 26:14), where the numbers are 22,200, indicate a diminishing tribe ...
/s/simeon.htm - 35k

Moab (162 Occurrences)
... About 13 miles back from the mouth of the river the gorge divides, and farther back
it subdivides, so that several valleys are formed of diminishing depth as ...
/m/moab.htm - 62k

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