The concept of "internally" in a biblical context often relates to the inner life of a person, including thoughts, emotions, and spiritual condition. The Bible frequently addresses the importance of the heart and mind, emphasizing that true faith and righteousness begin internally before manifesting externally.

Heart and Mind

The heart and mind are central to understanding the internal aspect of a person in Scripture. Proverbs 4:23 states, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." This verse underscores the significance of the heart as the source of life and actions. The heart, in biblical terms, often represents the seat of emotions, will, and intellect.

In the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes the internal nature of righteousness. In Matthew 5:8 , He declares, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Here, purity of heart is linked to the ability to perceive and experience God, highlighting the importance of internal purity over mere external compliance with religious norms.

Transformation and Renewal

The internal transformation of a believer is a key theme in the New Testament. Romans 12:2 instructs, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This transformation involves a fundamental change in thinking and perspective, aligning one's internal life with God's will.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this in Ephesians 4:22-24 : "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; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." This passage highlights the process of internal renewal as essential to living a life that reflects God's character.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the internal life of a believer. According to John 14:26 , Jesus promised, "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you." The Holy Spirit works internally to guide, teach, and remind believers of Christ's teachings, facilitating spiritual growth and understanding.

Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities are evidence of the Spirit's internal work within a believer, producing character traits that reflect God's nature.

Internal Struggles and Conflicts

The Bible acknowledges the internal struggles and conflicts that believers face. In Romans 7:22-23 , Paul writes, "For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in my body, waging war against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me." This passage illustrates the internal battle between the desire to follow God's law and the sinful nature that resists it.

Believers are encouraged to rely on God's strength to overcome these internal struggles. Philippians 4:13 assures, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." This verse emphasizes the importance of divine assistance in achieving victory over internal conflicts.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly use the term "internally," the concept is woven throughout Scripture, emphasizing the importance of the heart, mind, and spirit in the life of a believer. The internal transformation through the Holy Spirit, the renewal of the mind, and the purity of heart are central to living a life that honors God.1. (adv.) Inwardly; within the enveloping surface, or the boundary of a thing; within the body; beneath the surface.

2. (adv.) Hence: Mentally; spiritually.

3751. osphus -- the loin
... loin. Of uncertain affinity; the loin (externally), ie The hip; internally (by
extension) procreative power -- loin. (osphuas) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3751.htm - 7k

3643. oligoreo -- to esteem lightly
... ie true followers of the Lord), do not (3643 , negated imperative) the training
of the Lord, nor go on becoming undone when you are internally convicted by Him ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3643.htm - 6k

3706. horasis -- the act of seeing, a vision, appearance
... sight, vision. From horao; the act of gazing, ie (externally) an aspect or (internally)
an inspired appearance -- sight, vision. see GREEK horao. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3706.htm - 6k

4414. malach -- to tear away, dissipate
... root; properly, to rub to pieces or pulverize; intransitively, to disappear as dust;
also (as denominative from melach) to salt whether internally (to season ...
/hebrew/4414.htm - 5k

8432. tavek -- midst
... midst NASB Word Usage along (3), among (135), among* (1), between (2), center (10),
high (1), home (2), inside (9), interior (1), internally (1), middle (32 ...
/hebrew/8432.htm - 6k

The Arguments of the Platonists for the Soul's Incorporeality ...
... [1529] If it has the inanimate nature, it receives motion externally to itself;
if the animate one, internally. Now the soul receives ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter vi the arguments of the.htm

That we Should Seek the Verdict of Our Conscience in Every ...
... And just as nothing is any help if externally people praise someone if his conscience
internally accuses him, in the same way on the contrary it does a man no ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/albert/on cleaving to god/chapter 14 that we should.htm

Of Vocal Prayer. ...
... 6. The third is, that in case they do find themselves at any time invited by God
internally to a pure internal prayer (which is likely to be of the nature of ...
/.../chapter ii of vocal prayer .htm

The Government of the Church.
... are they holy; for they partake of the imperfections of all earthly life, and are
constantly defiled by the power of sin which internally and externally ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxix the government of the.htm

The Work of God in Our Work.
... The former lies in the ground and by its fibers attaches itself to the furrow
internally. ... "Sanctification" works internally; "good works" are external. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xiii the work of god.htm

More Special Advices Touching the Exercise of Affections of Divine ...
... In performing these acts internally, a soul must be very careful to exercise them
with most profound humility, and a distrust of her own ability to resist any ...
/.../chapter iii more special advices.htm

Whether a Sin is Aggravated by Reason of the Condition of the ...
... Reply to Objection 1: He who inflicts an injury on a virtuous person, so far as
he is concerned, disturbs him internally and externally; but that the latter is ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a sin is aggravated.htm

Division of Actual Grace
... or internally, as no man has control over what enters into his thoughts."(45) The
grace of mediate illumination has for its object to prepare the way quietly ...
/.../pohle/grace actual and habitual/section 2 division of actual.htm

Of Exercises of the Will: to Wit, Forced Immediate Acts...
... acts of the will, especially at the beginning, there is some degree of meditation,
which is the thinking on the object, and thereupon internally producing the ...
/.../chapter i of exercises of.htm

The Daily Walk with Others (I. ).
... Psalm 119:11.]; and who, being called upon by circumstances, however casually, to
show himself actually a true "man of the Book," is internally ready to do so. ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter iv the daily walk.htm

Internally (1 Occurrence)
... beneath the surface. 2. (adv.) Hence: Mentally; spiritually. Multi-Version
Concordance Internally (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 28:16 By ...
/i/internally.htm - 7k

Within (400 Occurrences)
... 4. (adv.) In the inner part; inwardly; internally. 5. (adv.) In the house;
in doors; as, the master is within. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/w/within.htm - 36k

Interpose (2 Occurrences)

/i/interpose.htm - 7k

Inwardly (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) In the inner parts; internally. 2.
(adv.) Toward the center; inward; as, to curve inwardly. ...
/i/inwardly.htm - 10k

Internal (1 Occurrence)

/i/internal.htm - 7k

Tabernacle (333 Occurrences)
...Internally it was divided by a veil into two chambers, the exterior of which was
called the holy place, also "the sanctuary" (Hebrews 9:2) and the "first ...
/t/tabernacle.htm - 101k

Die (401 Occurrences)
... 16. (n.) A hollow internally threaded screw-cutting tool, made in one piece or composed
of several parts, for forming screw threads on bolts, etc.; one of the ...
/d/die.htm - 42k

Mustard (5 Occurrences)
... rubefacient. Taken internally it is stimulant and diuretic, and in large
doses is emetic. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MUSTARD. ...
/m/mustard.htm - 11k

Architecture
... 3. Facts: There remain these facts, namely, that here is described a group of buildings,
of comparatively great scale; internally, at least, richly detailed ...
/a/architecture.htm - 28k

Temple (614 Occurrences)
... The Temple, like the tabernacle, stood facing East, environed by "courts" ("inner"
and "greater"), which are dealt with below, Internally, the dimensions of ...
/t/temple.htm - 101k

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