In the context of the Bible, "likings" can be understood as preferences, desires, or inclinations that individuals may have. The Scriptures provide guidance on how believers should align their likings with God's will, emphasizing the importance of seeking what is righteous and pleasing to the Lord.

Human Nature and Likings

The Bible acknowledges that human nature is inherently flawed due to sin, which can lead to likings that are contrary to God's will. Jeremiah 17:9 states, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" This verse highlights the potential for human desires to be misguided and emphasizes the need for divine guidance.

Aligning Likings with God's Will

Believers are encouraged to transform their likings to align with God's desires. Romans 12:2 instructs, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." This transformation involves a conscious effort to seek God's will and to cultivate desires that reflect His righteousness.

Desires of the Flesh vs. Desires of the Spirit

The Bible contrasts the desires of the flesh with the desires of the Spirit. Galatians 5:16-17 advises, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh." This passage underscores the conflict between worldly likings and spiritual aspirations, urging believers to pursue the latter.

Delighting in the Lord

Scripture encourages believers to find their delight in the Lord, which in turn shapes their likings. Psalm 37:4 promises, "Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart." This verse suggests that when one's joy and satisfaction are rooted in God, their desires will naturally align with His purposes.

The Role of Wisdom

Wisdom plays a crucial role in discerning and shaping likings. Proverbs 2:10-11 states, "For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will delight your soul. Discretion will watch over you, and understanding will guard you." By seeking wisdom, believers can develop likings that are prudent and aligned with God's truth.

Prayer and Likings

Prayer is a vital practice for aligning one's likings with God's will. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages believers, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Through prayer, believers can seek divine guidance and peace, ensuring their desires are in harmony with God's plan.

Conclusion

The Bible provides a framework for understanding and shaping likings in a manner that honors God. By seeking transformation through the renewal of the mind, walking by the Spirit, delighting in the Lord, pursuing wisdom, and engaging in prayer, believers can cultivate desires that reflect God's will and purpose for their lives.

Of Divers Friendships of Good and Ill, and if they Can be Loosed ...
... myself in another body. They bow to their own profits and likings and shame
not to fulfill guile in their friends. Thereof it is ...
/.../rolle/the fire of love/chapter ix of divers friendships.htm

Self-Denial.
... Some seem to take this to mean that the disciple must go against his likings because
they are his likings; must be unresponsive to the tendencies and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/self-denial.htm

Of Divers Gifts of God's Chosen: and How Saints Come to Love in ...
... So that God's lover seeks nothing in this world but that he may be in the
wilderness, and only takes heed to the likings of his Maker. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter vi of divers gifts.htm

Sixth Tractate. The Impassivity of the Unembodied.
... Inviolability; and yet likings and dislikings, the Soul enjoying, grieving, angry,
grudging, envying, desiring, never at peace but stirring and shifting with ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/sixth tractate the impassivity of.htm

A Dark Picture and a Bright Hope
... But what it says is just this: that, given the immense varieties of tastes and likings
and desires which men have, the point and characteristic feature of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/a dark picture and a.htm

Second Part of the Book.
... When GOD, through His grace, sends thee such likings, turn thou kindly to the angels
who stand before thee, and to them say: "I pray you as my keepers whom GOD ...
/.../second part of the book.htm

The Woman Taken in Adultery.
... of His. It is our likings that have led us astray, and it is by new likings
implanted within us that we can be restored. So long ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xvii the woman taken in.htm

The Seven Champions of Christendom
... simple say I care not; what the spightful speak I pass not; only the censure of
the conceited I stand unto; that is the mark I aym at; whose good likings if I ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/title page.htm

Friendship.
... When one finds in another that which perfectly answers to his own soul-likings
and longings, he has found another self, he has found a friend. ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/viii friendship.htm

The Duty of Self-Denial.
... retire from the business of their temporal calling, then they may (in a quiet,
unexceptionable way of course) consult their own tastes and likings, take their ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon vii the duty of.htm

Likings (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Likings (1 Occurrence). 2 Timothy 4:3 For the time
will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine ...
/l/likings.htm - 6k

Lilies (15 Occurrences)

/l/lilies.htm - 10k

Liking (2 Occurrences)

/l/liking.htm - 14k

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