The term "ill-natured" is not explicitly found in the Bible; however, the concept is frequently addressed through various descriptions of negative character traits and behaviors that are contrary to the teachings of Scripture. Ill-natured individuals are often characterized by a disposition that is unkind, malicious, or spiteful, and such behavior is consistently discouraged in biblical teachings.

Biblical Descriptions and Warnings

The Bible provides numerous warnings against ill-natured behavior, often associating it with foolishness, wickedness, and a lack of godly wisdom. Proverbs, a book rich in wisdom literature, frequently contrasts the behavior of the wise with that of the foolish or wicked. Proverbs 12:16 states, "A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult." This verse highlights the impulsive and ill-natured response of a fool, in contrast to the self-control exhibited by the wise.

Similarly, Proverbs 29:11 says, "A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back." The ill-natured person is often quick to express anger and resentment, lacking the restraint that is a hallmark of wisdom and godliness.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, the teachings of Jesus and the apostles further emphasize the importance of kindness, love, and self-control, which stand in stark contrast to ill-natured behavior. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, lists the "fruit of the Spirit" as qualities that should be evident in the life of a believer: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). These virtues are antithetical to an ill-natured disposition.

Moreover, in Ephesians 4:31-32 , Paul instructs believers to "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." This passage directly addresses the need to abandon ill-natured attitudes and behaviors, urging believers to adopt a spirit of kindness and forgiveness.

The Example of Christ

Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of how to live a life free from ill-natured tendencies. His teachings and actions consistently demonstrated love, compassion, and forgiveness, even in the face of hostility and persecution. In Matthew 5:44 , Jesus instructs, "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." This radical call to love and pray for one's enemies is a direct challenge to any ill-natured inclinations.

Practical Application for Believers

Believers are called to examine their hearts and actions, ensuring they align with the teachings of Scripture. James 1:19-20 advises, "My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires." This counsel encourages believers to cultivate a temperament that is patient and understanding, rather than ill-natured and quick to anger.

In summary, while the term "ill-natured" may not appear verbatim in the Bible, the concept is thoroughly addressed through the exhortations to pursue love, kindness, and self-control, reflecting the character of Christ in all interactions.1. (a.) Of habitual bad temper; surly; peevish; fractious; cross; crabbed; as, an ill-natured person.

2. (a.) Dictated by, or indicating, ill nature; spiteful.

3. (a.) Intractable; not yielding to culture.

Elucidations.
... thought it necessary to put the reader on his guard against certain of these
expressions; and Semler has noticed, with a sort of ill-natured industry (we call ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/against praxeas/elucidations.htm

How, Upon Herod's Going Down into David's Sepulcher, the Sedition ...
... of one fresh quarrel or another arose among his relations, and those that were dearest
to him; for Salome was of a harsh temper, and ill-natured to Mariamne's ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how upon herods.htm

Ill-Temper
... of prodigals. God's love for poor sinners is very wonderful, but God's
patience with ill-natured saints is a deeper mystery. The ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/ill-temper.htm

Letter ii. Self-Control and Self-Culture.
... Yet you need, over and over again, to fortify yourself against temptation to hasty
or ill-natured or improper speech by determining beforehand that you will ...
/.../letter ii self-control and self-culture.htm

The Note of Pity.
... There is such a thing as bad-tempered, ill-natured preaching, in which the weapons
of the Bible armoury are borrowed for the expression of the preacher's ...
/.../jackson/the message and the man/chapter ii the note of.htm

Matthew xx. 1, and C.
... probable, and, I believe, certain, that the main, if not the whole, Design of it,
was to account for that Stumbling-block, as it was indeed, to the ill-natured ...
/.../sermon xviii matthew xx 1.htm

The Church as She Should Be
... Shall we be guided by the praises of those neighbors who are on good terms with
her, or by the scandal of those who make her the subject of ill-natured gossip? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the church as she should.htm

Stiff-Necked Idolaters and Pliable Christians
... So we may profit by even the ill-natured and distorted likenesses of ourselves as
contrasted with the adherents of other religions which so many 'liberal-minded ...
/.../stiff-necked idolaters and pliable christians.htm

Interview with Mr. Mendizabal
... I certainly do not think him the most tractable of men, but I am inclined to think
that he is not ill-natured, as he preserved his temper very well during the ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/interview with mr mendizabal.htm

Letter clxvii . To Rusticus, Bishop of Gallia Narbonensis, with ...
... religion; for the direst persecution is often inflicted by nonconformity of practice
and persistent disobedience and the barbs of ill-natured tongues: and ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter clxvii to rusticus.htm

Ill-natured (3 Occurrences)
Ill-natured. Illiterate, Ill-natured. Illness . ... 1. (a.) Of habitual bad temper;
surly; peevish; fractious; cross; crabbed; as, an ill-natured person. ...
/i/ill-natured.htm - 7k

Illness (15 Occurrences)

/i/illness.htm - 11k

Quarrels (10 Occurrences)
... no true knowledge, but is crazy over discussions and controversies about words which
give rise to envy, quarrelling, revilings, ill-natured suspicions, (See NIV ...
/q/quarrels.htm - 9k

Quarrelling (5 Occurrences)
... has no true knowledge, but is crazy over discussions and controversies about words
which give rise to envy, quarrelling, revilings, ill-natured suspicions, (WEY ...
/q/quarrelling.htm - 8k

Ugly (7 Occurrences)
... repulsive; deformed. 2. (superl.) Ill-natured; crossgrained; quarrelsome;
as, an ugly temper; to feel ugly. 3. (superl.) Unpleasant ...
/u/ugly.htm - 8k

Grumble (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To murmur or mutter with discontent; to make
ill-natured complaints in a low voice and a surly manner. ...
/g/grumble.htm - 10k

Illiterate (2 Occurrences)

/i/illiterate.htm - 7k

Discussions (11 Occurrences)
... has no true knowledge, but is crazy over discussions and controversies about words
which give rise to envy, quarrelling, revilings, ill-natured suspicions, (WEY ...
/d/discussions.htm - 9k

Dissension (18 Occurrences)
... no true knowledge, but is crazy over discussions and controversies about words which
give rise to envy, quarrelling, revilings, ill-natured suspicions, (See RSV ...
/d/dissension.htm - 11k

Puffed (13 Occurrences)
... no true knowledge, but is crazy over discussions and controversies about words which
give rise to envy, quarrelling, revilings, ill-natured suspicions, (WEY ...
/p/puffed.htm - 10k

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