In the context of the Bible, "failings" refer to the moral and spiritual shortcomings that are inherent in human nature due to the fall of man. These failings manifest as sins, weaknesses, and imperfections that separate humanity from the holiness of God. The Bible addresses these failings extensively, offering both a diagnosis of the human condition and a prescription for redemption through faith in Jesus Christ.

Human Nature and Sin

The concept of human failings is rooted in the doctrine of original sin, which is introduced in Genesis. The fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3) marks the entrance of sin into the world, resulting in a corrupted human nature. Romans 3:23 states, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This verse underscores the universality of human failings and the inability of individuals to achieve righteousness on their own.

Examples of Failings in Scripture

Throughout the Bible, numerous examples illustrate human failings. King David, despite being a man after God's own heart, committed adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11). Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, denied Him three times (Matthew 26:69-75). These accounts serve as reminders of the frailty of human nature and the propensity to fall short of God's standards.

The Law and Human Weakness

The Mosaic Law was given to the Israelites as a standard of holiness, yet it also highlighted human failings. Romans 7:18-19 reflects the struggle with sin: "For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do." The law reveals the depth of human weakness and the need for divine intervention.

Redemption and Grace

Despite the pervasive nature of human failings, the Bible offers hope through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Romans 5:8 declares, "But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus provides a means for forgiveness and reconciliation with God.

The Apostle Paul speaks of the sufficiency of God's grace in overcoming human weaknesses. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, the Lord tells Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness." This assurance emphasizes that God's strength is made manifest in human frailty, offering believers the power to overcome their failings through reliance on Him.

Sanctification and Overcoming Failings

The process of sanctification involves the gradual overcoming of personal failings through the work of the Holy Spirit. Philippians 1:6 assures believers, "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." This ongoing transformation is a testament to God's faithfulness in refining His people.

Encouragement for Believers

Believers are encouraged to confess their sins and seek God's forgiveness, as stated in 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The Bible also calls Christians to bear with one another's failings, promoting unity and love within the body of Christ (Colossians 3:13).

In summary, while human failings are an undeniable aspect of the biblical narrative, they are met with the promise of redemption and transformation through Jesus Christ. The Bible provides both a realistic portrayal of human nature and a hopeful vision of divine grace and restoration.

More Special Advices Touching the Exercise of Affections of Divine ...
... practice of the prayer of Resignation ought not to interrupt or omit the producing
of acts conformable thereto, notwithstanding any failings or transgressings ...
/.../chapter iii more special advices.htm

The Realization of Selfless Love
... is to enter the way that leads unmistakably toward the Divine, and the failings
of one who thus recognizes are so many dead selves, upon which he rises, as ...
/.../allen/the way of peace/the realization of selfless love.htm

The Covenant of Grace
... For, (1) The least failing would have made the covenant with Adam null and
void, but many failings do not annul the covenant of grace. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 the covenant of grace.htm

Completeness and Universality of his Character.
... sectional, never universal, humanity: they are identified with a particular people
or age, and partake of their errors, superstitions, and failings, almost in ...
/.../schaff/the person of christ/completeness and universality of his.htm

How the Soul is to Carry it Self in the Faults it Doth Commit ...
... if God permits some failings even in the most holy and perfect men, it is to leave
em some remnant of themselves of the time that they were beginners, to keep ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap xvii how the soul.htm

Treateth of the Same Point.
... This humble and loving Conversation, and total Confidence in the Mercy Divine, thou
must exercise in all faults, imperfections, and failings that thou shalt ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap xviii treateth of the.htm

Judging, Asking, and Giving
... The race of fault-finders we have always with us, blind as moles to beauties and
goodness, but lynx-eyed for failings, and finding meat and drink in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/judging asking and giving.htm

Galatians Chapter vi.
... It being impossible for man to be without failings, he exhorts them not to scrutinize
severely the offences of others, but even to bear their failings, that ...
/.../galatians chapter vi.htm

Why Cain Has Been by Some Thought to have had Children by his ...
... his thoughts to wander and call him away from the purpose of his devotion; as well
as how frequently these and many other similar failings stealthily crept ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 45 xxxviii why cain has.htm

Whether Joy is an Effect of Devotion?
... Secondarily devotion is caused as stated [3006](A[3]), by the consideration of one's
own failings; for this consideration regards the term from which man ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether joy is an effect.htm

Failings (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Failings (1 Occurrence). Romans 15:1 Now we who are strong
ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves. ...
/f/failings.htm - 6k

Failing (12 Occurrences)

/f/failing.htm - 10k

Fails (35 Occurrences)

/f/fails.htm - 16k

Saul (371 Occurrences)
... Double Accounts 15. Saul's Posterity III. CHARACTER 1. Book of Chronicles 2. Saul's
Failings 3. His Virtue 4. David's Elegy I. Early History. ...
/s/saul.htm - 76k

Dwarf (1 Occurrence)
... in English Versions of the Bible of the Hebrew word dak, "thin," "small," in Leviticus
21:20, where a list is given of physical failings which forbade man of ...
/d/dwarf.htm - 8k

Miscarriage (4 Occurrences)
... reach a destination. 2. (n.) Ill conduct; evil or improper behavior; as,
the failings and miscarriages of the righteous. 3. (n.) The ...
/m/miscarriage.htm - 8k

Plainly (25 Occurrences)
... But elsewhere (Job 1:1 Psalm 37:37, etc.) the word means "perfect," and so probably
here; the failings of the great patriarch did not detract from the general ...
/p/plainly.htm - 14k

Plain (113 Occurrences)
... But elsewhere (Job 1:1 Psalm 37:37, etc.) the word means "perfect," and so probably
here; the failings of the great patriarch did not detract from the general ...
/p/plain.htm - 71k

Jacob (361 Occurrences)
... It is not surprising, therefore, to find the same failings in Jacob. Deceit and
cowardice are visible again and again in the impartial record of his life. ...
/j/jacob.htm - 77k

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