Topical Encyclopedia Passion, in the biblical context, often refers to strong emotions or desires that can lead individuals either towards righteousness or sin. The Bible provides numerous insights into the nature of passion, its potential for both good and evil, and the importance of aligning one's passions with God's will.Positive Aspects of Passion: 1. Zeal for God: Passion, when directed towards God, is commended in Scripture. The psalmist expresses a fervent desire for God's presence and righteousness: "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God" (Psalm 42:1). This longing reflects a deep, passionate pursuit of God. 2. Passion for Good Works: Believers are encouraged to be passionate about doing good. Titus 2:14 states, "He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds" . Here, zeal is portrayed as a positive force driving believers to live out their faith through actions. 3. Passion in Prayer: The fervency in prayer is highlighted in James 5:16, which says, "The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail" . Passionate prayer is depicted as effective and powerful, demonstrating the importance of earnestness in spiritual communication. Negative Aspects of Passion: 1. Worldly Desires: The Bible warns against passions that are rooted in worldly desires. In 1 John 2:16, it is written, "For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world" . Such passions can lead individuals away from God. 2. Lust and Immorality: Passion can also manifest as lust, leading to sinful behavior. Paul warns in 1 Thessalonians 4:5, "not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God" . This highlights the danger of allowing unchecked desires to govern one's actions. 3. Anger and Strife: Passion can lead to anger and conflict if not controlled. Proverbs 29:22 states, "An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression" . The Bible advises believers to manage their emotions to prevent discord and sin. Guidance for Managing Passion: 1. Self-Control: The fruit of the Spirit includes self-control, which is essential for managing passions. Galatians 5:22-23 lists self-control as a virtue that believers should cultivate: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" . 2. Renewing the Mind: Romans 12:2 encourages believers to transform their passions by renewing their minds: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" . This transformation aligns one's desires with God's will. 3. Setting Affections on Things Above: Colossians 3:2 advises, "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things" . By focusing on heavenly matters, believers can direct their passions towards eternal purposes. In summary, the Bible acknowledges the powerful role of passion in human life, offering guidance on how to channel it towards godliness while warning against its potential to lead to sin. Through self-control, prayer, and a focus on divine purposes, believers are encouraged to harness their passions in a way that honors God. Nave's Topical Index Acts 1:3To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: Nave's Topical Index Library General Corruption. The Evening of the Third Day in Passion-Week - on the Mount of ... The Divine Scriptures that are Accepted and those that are Not. The Twenty-First Article they Absolutely Condemn, Because we do ... Other Incidents of the Passion Minutely Compared with Prophecy ... Eusebius: Constantine. General Index. And Judas Iscariot Unity of the Faith of the Church Throughout the Whole World. The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Last Controversies and ... These Propositions Cannot be Predicated of any of those Books ... Resources How can I gain a passion for winning souls? | GotQuestions.orgIs the movie "The Passion of the Christ" biblically accurate? | GotQuestions.org How do I get a passion for Jesus? | GotQuestions.org Passion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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