In the context of biblical teachings, the concept of "discard" can be understood as the act of rejecting, casting away, or setting aside something that is deemed unnecessary, unworthy, or contrary to God's will. The Bible provides various instances and teachings that illustrate the spiritual and moral implications of discarding certain behaviors, practices, or beliefs.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament often uses the imagery of discarding to convey the idea of removing sin and idolatry from the lives of the Israelites. In Ezekiel 20:7 , God commands the Israelites: "And I said to them, ‘Each of you must discard the detestable things from his eyes and not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’" Here, discarding is associated with the rejection of idolatry and the purification of one's life in obedience to God.

Similarly, in Isaiah 2:20 , the prophet speaks of a future time when people will discard their idols: "In that day men will cast away to the moles and bats their idols of silver and gold, the idols they made to worship." This passage highlights the futility of idol worship and the eventual recognition of the need to abandon such practices.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, the concept of discarding is often linked to the transformation of the believer's life through Christ. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently exhorts Christians to discard their former sinful ways. In Ephesians 4:22 , Paul writes, "You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires." Here, "put off" can be understood as discarding the old self, symbolizing a break from past sins and a commitment to living a new life in Christ.

Colossians 3:8 further emphasizes this theme: "But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips." The act of putting aside or discarding these negative behaviors is presented as essential for spiritual growth and maturity.

Spiritual Implications

The act of discarding in the biblical sense is not merely about physical removal but involves a deeper spiritual cleansing and renewal. It requires a conscious decision to reject sin and embrace righteousness. This is evident in Hebrews 12:1 , which encourages believers to "lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us." The imagery of laying aside suggests a deliberate and active effort to discard anything that hinders one's spiritual journey.

Practical Application

For Christians, the call to discard is a call to examine one's life and identify areas that are not aligned with God's will. This may involve discarding harmful habits, toxic relationships, or false beliefs. It is a continuous process of sanctification, where believers seek to become more like Christ by shedding the old and embracing the new.

In summary, the biblical concept of discarding is a powerful metaphor for the spiritual transformation that occurs when individuals choose to reject sin and live in accordance with God's commandments. It is an ongoing journey of faith, marked by the willingness to let go of the past and pursue a life of holiness and obedience.1. (v. t.) To throw out of one's hand, as superfluous cards; to reject; to lay aside (a card or cards).

2. (v. t.) To cast off as useless or as no longer of service; to dismiss from employment, confidence, or favor; to discharge; to turn away.

3. (v. t.) To put or thrust away; to reject.

4. (v. i.) To make a discard.

5. (n.) The act of discarding; also, the card or cards discarded.

Chapter xxxv
... 2-4. And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him: Discard the foreign
gods which are in your midst, and purify yourselves and change your ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxv.htm

The Form of Sound Words
... of men; we care for nothing they assert, however strongly they declare it, or however
eloquently they plead for it; we utterly reject and discard it; we hold ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the form of sound words.htm

His Murdered Father's Head
... out afresh, crimsoning with blood the Gothic wolfskin which, at some peril to himself,
but in the spirit of defiant patriotism, he had always refused to discard ...
/.../chapter xxxvi his murdered fathers.htm

Of the Mass.
... For it is but a pure invention of men, and has not been commanded by God; and every
invention of man we may [safely] discard, as Christ declares, Matt.15, 9 ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the smalcald articles/article ii of the mass.htm

Shall we Abandon Our Religion?
... Errors are found in all the histories of humanity; shall we therefore discard
science and civil government? or shall we turn misanthropists? ...
/.../shall we abandon our religion.htm

God's Providence
... Now I must prove to my readers' perfect satisfaction that to discard all the dignities
and privileges of a high priest and become a lowly worker for Christ, it ...
/.../chapter vi gods providence.htm

You have Therefore the Will of My God. ...
... This frowardness also appertains to men,"to discard what is wholesome, to accept
what is baleful, to avoid all dangerous cures, or, in short, to be eager to ...
/.../scorpiace antidote for the scorpions sting/chapter v you have therefore.htm

Degeneration
... It is as if the original bird, the far remote ancestor of all doves, had been blue,
and these had been compelled by some strange law to discard the badges of ...
/.../drummond/natural law in the spiritual world/degeneration.htm

Of the Verdict of the Apostles, Assembled in Council, Upon the ...
... His engagement none but an ungrateful man will dissolve. In that event, He will
neither accept back what He has discarded, nor discard what He has retained. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on modesty/chapter xii of the verdict of.htm

Causes of Corruption Chiefly Intentional.
... Strange, that a later age should try to discard the latter]. It is found therefore
that Satan could not even wait for the grave to close over St. John. ...
/.../chapter xiii causes of corruption.htm

Discard (1 Occurrence)
... away. 3. (vt) To put or thrust away; to reject. 4. (vi) To make a discard. 5 ... discarded.
Multi-Version Concordance Discard (1 Occurrence). Psalms ...
/d/discard.htm - 7k

Jettison (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (v.) To discard; To disencumber; as, to jettison goods
in order to lighten a vessel in danger of wreck. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/j/jettison.htm - 6k

Reject (56 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To cast from one; to throw away; to discard.
2. (vt) To refuse to receive or to acknowledge; to ...
/r/reject.htm - 21k

Repudiate (1 Occurrence)
... renounce; to reject. 2. (vt) To divorce, put away, or discard, as a wife,
or a woman one has promised to marry. 3. (vt) To refuse ...
/r/repudiate.htm - 7k

Disc (1 Occurrence)

/d/disc.htm - 6k

Discarded (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Discard. Multi-Version Concordance
Discarded (3 Occurrences). 2 Chronicles 29:19 Moreover ...
/d/discarded.htm - 7k

Dismiss (15 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To discard; to remove or discharge from office, service, or employment;
as, the king dismisses his ministers; the matter dismisses his servant. ...
/d/dismiss.htm - 11k

Cast (640 Occurrences)
... 11. (vt) To impose; to bestow; to rest. 12. (vt) To dismiss; to discard; to cashier.
13. (vt) To compute; to reckon; to calculate; as, to cast a horoscope. 14. ...
/c/cast.htm - 41k

Covenant (309 Occurrences)
... For Exodus 33:4 is taken from the Jahwist, since the Elohist contains the command
to discard the ornaments later on, and hence could not have written 33:4. Now ...
/c/covenant.htm - 101k

Ark (212 Occurrences)
... For Exodus 33:4 is taken from the Jahwist, since the Elohist contains the command
to discard the ornaments later on, and hence could not have written 33:4. Now ...
/a/ark.htm - 84k

What does the Bible say about compulsive hoarding? | GotQuestions.org

What is pragmatic ethics? | GotQuestions.org

If Jesus was crucified on the Day of Preparation, why had He already eaten the Passover meal? | GotQuestions.org

Discard: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus