Ill-founded
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The term "ill-founded" refers to beliefs, actions, or decisions that lack a solid basis, whether in truth, wisdom, or moral integrity. In the context of biblical teachings, the concept of being ill-founded is often associated with folly, deception, and the absence of divine wisdom. Scripture frequently contrasts the ill-founded with the well-founded, urging believers to seek wisdom and understanding rooted in God's Word.

Biblical Examples and Teachings

1. Foolishness and Lack of Wisdom: The Bible often equates ill-founded actions with foolishness. Proverbs 14:12 warns, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." This verse highlights the danger of relying on human understanding without seeking divine guidance, which can lead to destructive outcomes.

2. Building on Sand: Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7:24-27 illustrates the concept of being ill-founded. The foolish man builds his house on sand, lacking a solid foundation, and it collapses when storms come. In contrast, the wise man builds on rock, symbolizing the firm foundation of Christ's teachings. This parable underscores the importance of grounding one's life in the truth of Scripture.

3. False Prophets and Deception: The Bible warns against false prophets and teachings that are ill-founded. In Matthew 7:15 , Jesus cautions, "Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." Such teachings may appear appealing but are ultimately deceptive and lack the foundation of truth.

4. The Importance of Discernment: Believers are encouraged to exercise discernment to avoid being led astray by ill-founded doctrines. 1 John 4:1 advises, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." This call to discernment is crucial for maintaining a faith that is well-founded in biblical truth.

5. The Role of Scripture: The Bible itself is presented as the ultimate foundation for truth and wisdom. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work." Scripture provides the necessary foundation for a life that is well-founded and pleasing to God.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The concept of being ill-founded carries significant moral and spiritual implications. It serves as a warning against the dangers of living without a firm foundation in God's truth. Believers are called to build their lives on the solid rock of Christ's teachings, ensuring that their faith, decisions, and actions are rooted in the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit. The pursuit of a well-founded life is a continual process of seeking God's will, studying His Word, and applying His principles in every aspect of life.
Library

No Man Hates his Own Flesh, not Even those who Abuse It.
... The spirit, then, in subduing the flesh, is working as it were to destroy the
ill-founded peace of an evil habit, and to bring about the real peace which ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 24 no man hates his.htm

Those, on the Other Hand, who do this in a Perverse Spirit...
... The spirit, then, in subduing the flesh, is working as it were to destroy the ill
founded peace of an evil habit, and to bring about the real peace which ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 25 those on the.htm

Letter xxiv (Circa AD 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
... Who shall give me to be as deservedly humiliated among men for well-founded reasons
as I have been undeservedly praised for ill-founded ones? ...
/.../some letters of saint bernard abbot of clairvaux/letter xxiv circa a d 1126.htm

Criticisms of the Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force on ...
... Secondly, it is ill founded, because even if to use force against wicked men had
been permitted by God, since it is impossible to find a perfect and unfailing ...
/.../tolstoy/the kingdom of god is within you/chapter ii criticisms of the.htm

Letter xxxii (AD 1132) to Thurstan, Archbishop of York
... Your actions, in fact, show that your high reputation, which fame had previously
spread everywhere, was neither false nor ill-founded, but manifest and certain ...
/.../some letters of saint bernard abbot of clairvaux/letter xxxii a d 1132 to.htm

The Reason of any New Council Having Been Called.
... Footnotes: [3446] He undertakes to tell haper he& 240;raka kai egnon akribos, words
which have given rise to the romantic but ill-founded tradition that ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/section 1 the reason of.htm

Ananias and Sapphira.
... Happy would it have been for this woman, if the question had staggered her ill-founded
courage, and had led her, with unfeigned repentance, to acknowledge her ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture vi ananias and sapphira.htm

Christ --The Power and Wisdom of God
... understanding. Thine objection is ill-founded; for Christ is the wisdom
of God, and his gospel is the highest of all sciences. If ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/christthe power and wisdom of.htm

The Second Sign in Galilee.
... to exhibit. He is fond of showing how a weak and ill-founded faith may grow
into a faith that is well rooted and strong. This Samaritan ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xi the second sign in.htm

Acts XXIII
... be the ruin of the opposing sect, and losing sight, for a moment, of its effects
upon their own party; forgetting, too, the ill-founded charge against Paul, in ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxiii.htm

Thesaurus
Ill-founded (2 Occurrences)
Ill-founded. Ill-formed, Ill-founded. Ill-gotten . Multi-Version
Concordance Ill-founded (2 Occurrences). Isaiah 16:6 ...
/i/ill-founded.htm - 6k

Boasts (18 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 16:6 We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud; even of his
haughtiness, and his pride, and his arrogancy, his ill-founded boastings. ...
/b/boasts.htm - 11k

Ill-gotten (4 Occurrences)
Ill-gotten. Ill-founded, Ill-gotten. Illicit . Multi-Version Concordance ... (See
NIV). Ill-founded, Ill-gotten. Illicit . Reference Bible.
/i/ill-gotten.htm - 7k

Ill-formed (1 Occurrence)
Ill-formed. Ill-favoured, Ill-formed. Ill-founded . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(DBY). Ill-favoured, Ill-formed. Ill-founded . Reference Bible.
/i/ill-formed.htm - 6k

Resources
What is the meaning of Friday the 13th? | GotQuestions.org

What is the problem of good? | GotQuestions.org

Is the Last Reformation movement biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Ill-founded (2 Occurrences)

Isaiah 16:6
We have heard of the pride of Moab, that he is very proud; even of his arrogancy, and his pride, and his wrath; his boastings are nought.
(See JPS)

Jeremiah 48:30
I know his wrath, saith Jehovah, that it is nought; his boastings have wrought nothing.
(See JPS)

Subtopics

Ill-founded

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Ill-formed
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