Topical Encyclopedia In the context of the Bible, "practice" refers to the habitual performance or application of certain actions, principles, or behaviors, often in alignment with spiritual or moral teachings. The concept of practice is integral to the life of faith, as it involves the consistent application of God's commandments and teachings in daily life.Old Testament Context The Old Testament emphasizes the importance of practicing God's laws and commandments. In Deuteronomy 6:6-7 , Moses instructs the Israelites: "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." This passage underscores the necessity of integrating God's commandments into daily life and passing them on to future generations. The practice of justice and righteousness is also a recurring theme. Micah 6:8 states, "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" Here, the practice of justice, mercy, and humility is presented as a divine requirement. New Testament Context In the New Testament, the concept of practice is closely linked to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus emphasizes the importance of putting His words into practice in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 7:24 , He says, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock." This metaphor illustrates the stability and security that come from practicing Jesus' teachings. The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the concept of practice in his epistles. In Philippians 4:9 , he writes, "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Paul encourages believers to follow his example and teachings, promising the presence of God's peace as a result. Moral and Ethical Practice The Bible consistently calls for the practice of moral and ethical behavior. In James 1:22 , believers are admonished, "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." This verse highlights the danger of self-deception when one hears the word but fails to act upon it. The practice of love is central to Christian ethics. In 1 John 3:18 , it is written, "Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth." This call to love through action reflects the practical outworking of faith in the life of a believer. Spiritual Disciplines The practice of spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, fasting, and meditation on Scripture, is encouraged throughout the Bible. Jesus Himself practiced these disciplines, often withdrawing to solitary places to pray (Luke 5:16). The early church is described as devoted to prayer and the apostles' teaching (Acts 2:42). Conclusion The biblical concept of practice encompasses the consistent application of God's commandments, the teachings of Jesus, and the ethical and moral standards set forth in Scripture. It involves both personal spiritual disciplines and the outward expression of faith through actions that reflect God's character and will. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) Frequently repeated or customary action; habitual performance; a succession of acts of a similar kind; usage; habit; custom; as, the practice of rising early; the practice of making regular entries of accounts; the practice of daily exercise.2. (n.) Customary or constant use; state of being used. 3. (n.) Skill or dexterity acquired by use; expertness. 4. (n.) Actual performance; application of knowledge; -- opposed to theory. 5. (n.) Systematic exercise for instruction or discipline; as, the troops are called out for practice; she neglected practice in music. 6. (n.) Application of science to the wants of men; the exercise of any profession; professional business; as, the practice of medicine or law; a large or lucrative practice. 7. (n.) Skillful or artful management; dexterity in contrivance or the use of means; art; stratagem; artifice; plot; -- usually in a bad sense. 8. (n.) A easy and concise method of applying the rules of arithmetic to questions which occur in trade and business. 9. (n.) The form, manner, and order of conducting and carrying on suits and prosecutions through their various stages, according to the principles of law and the rules laid down by the courts. 10. (v. t.) To do or perform frequently, customarily, or habitually; to make a practice of; as, to practice gaming. 11. (v. t.) To exercise, or follow, as a profession, trade, art, etc., as, to practice law or medicine. 12. (v. t.) To exercise one's self in, for instruction or improvement, or to acquire discipline or dexterity; as, to practice gunnery; to practice music. 13. (v. t.) To put into practice; to carry out; to act upon; to commit; to execute; to do. 14. (v. t.) To make use of; to employ. 15. (v. t.) To teach or accustom by practice; to train. 16. (v. i.) To perform certain acts frequently or customarily, either for instruction, profit, or amusement; as, to practice with the broadsword or with the rifle; to practice on the piano. 17. (v. i.) To learn by practice; to form a habit. 18. (v. i.) To try artifices or stratagems. 19. (v. i.) To apply theoretical science or knowledge, esp. by way of experiment; to exercise or pursue an employment or profession, esp. that of medicine or of law. Greek 3096. mageuo -- to practice magic ... to practice magic. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: mageuo Phonetic Spelling: (mag-yoo'-o) Short Definition: I practice sorcery or magic Definition: I ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3096.htm - 6k 1838. hexis -- habit, practice 3543. nomizo -- to practice, consider 778. askeo -- to practice, endeavor 3191. meletao -- to care for, practice, study 4238. prasso -- to do, practice 3132. manteuomai -- to divine 2039. ergasia -- work (noun) 4914. sunetheia -- habit, habitual use 4203. porneuo -- to commit fornication Strong's Hebrew 5172. nachash -- to practice divination, observe signs... nachash. 5173 . to practice divination, observe signs. Transliteration: nachash Phonetic Spelling: (naw-khash') Short Definition: divination. Word Origin a prim ... /hebrew/5172.htm - 6k 6049a. anan -- to practice soothsaying 7080. qasam -- to practice divination 4611. maalal -- a deed, practice 3784. kashaph -- to practice sorcery 6049. anan -- to practice soothsaying 6213a. asah -- do, make 3651. ken -- so, thus 5953a. alal -- to act severely 4941. mishpat -- judgment Library The Practice of Piety The Practice of the Presence of God Of the Practice of Piety in Fasting. The Practice of Piety at Meals, and the Manner of Eating. The Practice of Piety at Evening. Profession and Practice. The Practice of Piety; Directing a Christian How to Walk that He ... Of the Practice of Piety in Holy Feasting. The Practice of Piety in Glorifying God in the Time of Sickness ... Whether it be Unlawful to Practice the Observances of the Magic ... Thesaurus Practice (71 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) Frequently repeated or customary action; habitual performance; a succession of acts of a similar kind; usage; habit; custom; as, the practice of rising ... /p/practice.htm - 28k Exercise (35 Occurrences) Use (620 Occurrences) Cremation Practiced (22 Occurrences) Eunuch (20 Occurrences) Cutting (178 Occurrences) Ablution Triune Trine Resources What does it mean that the Bible should be our sole authority for faith and practice? | GotQuestions.orgWhy do so many Christians fail the “practice what you preach” standard? | GotQuestions.org Why do some cultures practice female genital mutilation (FGM)? | GotQuestions.org Practice: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Practice (71 Occurrences)Matthew 7:23 Matthew 7:24 Matthew 7:26 Matthew 23:3 Luke 6:47 Luke 6:49 Luke 8:21 Acts 8:9 Acts 16:21 Acts 24:16 Romans 1:32 Romans 2:1 Romans 2:2 Romans 2:3 Romans 2:25 Romans 3:13 Romans 7:15 Romans 7:19 Romans 12:13 1 Corinthians 11:16 2 Corinthians 4:2 Galatians 5:21 Ephesians 4:19 Philippians 4:9 1 Thessalonians 4:10 1 Timothy 4:15 1 Timothy 5:4 Hebrews 5:14 James 3:16 1 Peter 4:9 2 Peter 1:10 1 John 1:6 1 John 3:10 Revelation 2:14 Revelation 2:20 Revelation 9:21 Revelation 21:8 Revelation 22:11 Revelation 22:15 Genesis 29:26 Genesis 44:15 Leviticus 18:30 Leviticus 19:26 Leviticus 20:8 Deuteronomy 18:14 1 Samuel 27:11 Ezra 7:10 Ezra 9:14 Psalms 52:2 Psalms 101:8 Psalms 106:3 Psalms 111:10 Psalms 141:4 Ecclesiastes 8:8 Isaiah 2:6 Isaiah 32:6 Jeremiah 6:13 Jeremiah 7:5 Jeremiah 8:10 Jeremiah 9:24 Jeremiah 22:21 Ezekiel 13:23 Ezekiel 23:43 Ezekiel 33:31 Ezekiel 33:32 Ezekiel 45:9 Daniel 8:24 Daniel 11:23 Hosea 7:1 Micah 2:1 Zechariah 7:9 Subtopics Related Terms |