Definition and Nature:
Instinct refers to the inherent inclination of a living organism toward a particular behavior. It is an innate, typically fixed pattern of behavior in animals in response to certain stimuli. In the context of the Bible, instinct can be understood as the natural, God-given ability of creatures to act in ways that ensure their survival and fulfill their roles within creation.

Biblical References and Implications:
While the Bible does not explicitly use the term "instinct," it provides numerous examples of instinctual behavior in animals, which can be seen as part of God's divine order in creation. These behaviors are often used metaphorically to teach spiritual truths or to illustrate human behavior.

1. Proverbs 6:6-8 : "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways and be wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food at harvest."
· This passage highlights the instinctual diligence and foresight of the ant, serving as a model for human industriousness and wisdom. The ant's behavior is portrayed as a natural, God-given instinct that leads to provision and survival.

2. Job 39:13-18 : "The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully, but cannot match the pinions and feathers of the stork. For she leaves her eggs on the ground and lets them warm in the sand, unmindful that a foot may crush them, or a wild animal may trample them. She treats her young harshly, as if not her own, with no concern that her labor was in vain. For God has deprived her of wisdom; He has not endowed her with understanding."
· Here, the ostrich's seemingly careless behavior is described as lacking wisdom, yet it is part of the natural order established by God. This passage suggests that instinctual behavior is not always aligned with human notions of wisdom or understanding, yet it serves a purpose within God's creation.

3. Jeremiah 8:7 : "Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the turtledove, swift, and thrush observe the time of their migration. But My people do not know the requirements of the LORD."
· The migratory patterns of birds are presented as instinctual knowledge given by God. These natural behaviors contrast with the spiritual ignorance of God's people, emphasizing the reliability and orderliness of God's creation.

Theological Considerations:
From a theological perspective, instinct in animals is seen as part of God's providential care and design. It reflects the wisdom and creativity of the Creator, who equips each creature with the necessary tools for survival and fulfillment of its role in the ecosystem. Instinctual behavior in animals serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the intricate balance of His creation.

Human Instincts and Moral Responsibility:
While animals operate largely on instinct, humans are endowed with reason and moral responsibility. The Bible acknowledges human instincts but calls individuals to rise above mere instinctual behavior through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and adherence to God's commandments. Romans 2:14-15 speaks to the law written on human hearts, indicating an innate sense of right and wrong that transcends basic instinct.

In summary, while the Bible does not directly address the concept of instinct, it provides ample evidence of God's intentional design in the natural world, using instinctual behaviors to illustrate spiritual truths and moral lessons.1. (a.) Urged or stimulated from within; naturally moved or impelled; imbued; animated; alive; quick; as, birds instinct with life.

2. (a.) Natural inward impulse; unconscious, involuntary, or unreasoning prompting to any mode of action, whether bodily, or mental, without a distinct apprehension of the end or object to be accomplished.

3. (a.) Specif., the natural, unreasoning, impulse by which an animal is guided to the performance of any action, without of improvement in the method.

4. (n.) A natural aptitude or knack; a predilection; as, an instinct for order; to be modest by instinct.

5. (v. t.) To impress, as an animating power, or instinct.

5447. phusikos -- naturally, by nature
... nature, naturally. Cognate: 5447 (an adverb) -- properly, , ie acting by
mere instinct (used only in Jude 1:10). See 5449 (). Word ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5447.htm - 6k

5446. phusikos -- natural, according to nature
... See 5449 (). Word Origin from phusis Definition natural, according to nature NASB
Word Usage creatures of instinct (1), natural (2). natural. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5446.htm - 7k

What Sacred Instinct did Inspire
... THE THIRD CENTURY 3 What sacred instinct did inspire. What sacred instinct
did inspire My soul in childhood with a hope so strong? ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/3 what sacred instinct did.htm

Reflections on his Fiftieth Birthday. What a Wonderful Being is ...
... What a Wonderful Being is Man! Governed, not by Instinct, but by Reason. ... What a
Wonderful Being is Man! Governed, not by Instinct, but by Reason. ...
/.../chapter xix reflections on his.htm

The Fallacy of the Young Nation
... Any one with a poetical instinct will admit that to the ordinary human instinct
bread symbolizes something which cannot very easily be symbolized otherwise ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/xviii the fallacy of the.htm

Whether the Prophet Always Distinguishes what He Says by his Own ...
... I answer that, The prophet's mind is instructed by God in two ways: in one way by
an express revelation, in another way by a most mysterious instinct to "which ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the prophet always distinguishes.htm

What God Will do for Us
... within. In these great words we may see set forth both the instinct, as I
may call it, of prayer, and the privilege of access to God. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/what god will do for.htm

National Sorrows and National Lessons
... This instinct, as a historic fact, has been strong in all the progressive European
nations; especially strong in the Teutonic; in none more than in the English ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxiv national sorrows and.htm

The Road to Pella
... love was the spoil of another. All instinct became alert; all his intelligence
and resource assembled to his aid. It came to him as ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter xxiv the road to.htm

Mathew xi. 10
... Take those tastes in us which most resemble the instincts of a brute; and you will
find that in these, as with instinct, common consent becomes a sure rule. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnold/the christian life/lecture xvi mathew xi 10.htm

Whether Divination by Auguries, Omens, and by Like Observations of ...
... Now the cause of dumb animals' actions is a certain instinct whereby they are inclined
by a natural movement, for they are not masters of their actions. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether divination by auguries omens.htm

Book iv Thus Gently Sang the Lady Philosophy with Dignified Mien ...
... Do you remember that we agreed from our earlier reasonings, that the instinct of
all human will, though acted upon by different aims, does lead with eagerness ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/book iv thus gently sang.htm

Instinct (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Urged or stimulated from within; naturally moved
or impelled; imbued; animated; alive; quick; as, birds instinct with life. ...
/i/instinct.htm - 8k

Instinctively (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In an instinctive manner; by force of instinct;
by natural impulse. Multi-Version Concordance Instinctively (2 Occurrences). ...
/i/instinctively.htm - 7k

Temptation (22 Occurrences)
... The lure here is the desire for power, in itself a right instinct, and
the natural and proper wish to avoid difficulty and pain. ...
/t/temptation.htm - 30k

Worship (332 Occurrences)
... On the face of the Bible narratives, the instinct of communion, praise, adoring
gratitude would seem to be the earliest moving force (compare Genesis 4:3, 4 ...
/w/worship.htm - 66k

Conscience (36 Occurrences)
... There is no instinct in the soul of man more august than the anticipation of something
after death-of a tribunal at which the whole of life will be revised and ...
/c/conscience.htm - 37k

Kind (290 Occurrences)
... 5. (superl.) Gentle; tractable; easily governed; as, a horse kind in harness.
6. (a.) Nature; natural instinct or disposition. 7 ...
/k/kind.htm - 35k

Instilled (3 Occurrences)

/i/instilled.htm - 7k

Mediation
... philosophy. It corresponds to a profound human instinct or need which
finds expression in some form or other in most religions. ...
/m/mediation.htm - 38k

Comparative
... places. It is perhaps the most powerful for good or evil of all the instincts
(for it is an instinct) which influence mankind. 2 ...
/c/comparative.htm - 29k

Commands (216 Occurrences)
... Romans 2:14 For when Gentiles who have no Law obey by natural instinct the commands
of the Law, they, without having a Law, are a Law to themselves; (WEY). ...
/c/commands.htm - 35k

Why are people irrational? | GotQuestions.org

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Instinct: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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