In the context of biblical teachings, the term "suspect" is not directly mentioned in the Scriptures. However, the concept of suspicion and the discernment of character are themes that can be explored through various biblical narratives and teachings. The Bible provides guidance on how to approach situations where suspicion may arise, emphasizing the importance of wisdom, discernment, and righteousness.

Discernment and Wisdom

The Bible frequently underscores the necessity of discernment and wisdom when dealing with others. Proverbs 3:21-23 advises, "My son, do not lose sight of this: Preserve sound judgment and discernment. They will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble." This passage highlights the value of maintaining sound judgment, which can be crucial when one is faced with situations that arouse suspicion.

Judging Righteously

The Scriptures caution against hasty judgments and encourage believers to judge righteously. In John 7:24 , Jesus instructs, "Stop judging by outward appearances, and start judging justly." This teaching reminds believers to look beyond superficial factors and to seek a deeper understanding of situations and individuals before forming conclusions.

Avoiding False Accusations

The Bible warns against bearing false witness and making unfounded accusations. Exodus 20:16 commands, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." This commandment underscores the importance of truthfulness and integrity, urging believers to avoid making accusations without sufficient evidence.

Trust in God’s Justice

Believers are encouraged to trust in God's ultimate justice and sovereignty. Romans 12:19 states, "Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: 'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.'" This passage reassures believers that God is the ultimate judge and that they should rely on His justice rather than taking matters into their own hands.

Examples of Suspicion in the Bible

Several biblical narratives illustrate the theme of suspicion. In the account of Joseph and his brothers, suspicion and jealousy lead to Joseph being sold into slavery (Genesis 37). Despite the wrongful actions of his brothers, Joseph's account ultimately demonstrates God's providence and the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Another example is found in the New Testament, where the Apostle Paul faced suspicion from the early Christian community due to his past persecution of Christians. Acts 9:26-27 recounts, "When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing he was a disciple. Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and described how Saul had seen the Lord on the road to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus." This account highlights the role of advocacy and testimony in overcoming suspicion and building trust within the community of believers.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly use the term "suspect," it provides ample guidance on how to approach situations involving suspicion. Through discernment, righteous judgment, and trust in God's justice, believers are equipped to navigate the complexities of human relationships and maintain integrity in their interactions with others.1. (a.) Suspicious; inspiring distrust.

2. (a.) Suspected; distrusted.

3. (a.) Suspicion.

4. (a.) One who, or that which, is suspected; an object of suspicion; -- formerly applied to persons and things; now, only to persons suspected of crime.

5. (v. t.) To imagine to exist; to have a slight or vague opinion of the existence of, without proof, and often upon weak evidence or no evidence; to mistrust; to surmise; -- commonly used regarding something unfavorable, hurtful, or wrong; as, to suspect the presence of disease.

6. (v. t.) To imagine to be guilty, upon slight evidence, or without proof; as, to suspect one of equivocation.

7. (v. t.) To hold to be uncertain; to doubt; to mistrust; to distrust; as, to suspect the truth of a story.

8. (v. t.) To look up to; to respect.

9. (v. i.) To imagine guilt; to have a suspicion or suspicions; to be suspicious.

5282. huponoeo -- to suspect, conjecture
... to suspect, conjecture. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: huponoeo Phonetic
Spelling: (hoop-on-o-eh'-o) Short Definition: I conjecture, suppose Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5282.htm - 6k

Let no One, However, Suspect That, in Speaking as we Do...
... Chapter XXII. Let no one, however, suspect that, in speaking as we do?
Let no one, however, suspect that, in speaking as we do ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxii let no one.htm

I Suspect I have Been Allotting Habitually Too Little Time to ...
... Chapter VII I suspect I have been allotting habitually too little time
to religious exercises as private? I suspect I have been ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter vii i suspect i.htm

Casting Blame.
... You are, I suspect, all of you nearly fond of abusing your neighbours, of finding
fault, of telling unkind things of them, of blackening their good names. ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/xlv casting blame.htm

The Vanguard and Rereward of the Church
... Truth could not be truth in this world if it were not a warring thing, and we should
at once suspect that it were not true if error were friends with it. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the vanguard and rereward of.htm

How God Will be Served Both with Body and with Soul, and Reward ...
... Such a comfort and such a sweetness shall not be had suspect: and shortly to
say, I trow that he that feeleth it may not have it suspect. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the eight and 3.htm

On Corrupting the Word of God
... not are obliged in prudence, not to let their incredulity appear, since it is a
known rule, " the honester any man is, the less apt is he to suspect another. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 136 on corrupting the.htm

Concerning the Difference Between True Glory and the Desire of ...
... For whatever any one does before the eyes of men in order to show himself to be
a despiser of glory, if they suspect that he is doing it in order to get ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 19 concerning the difference between.htm

Answer to Mr. W's Sixth Objection.
... to be taken out of this world: And then they on whom he wrought any miracles might
speak freely of them, without giving any occasion to suspect his designing a ...
/.../section vi answer to mr.htm

Causes of Corruption Chiefly Intentional.
... The sectional system of Eusebius, I suspect, is not so much the cause as the
consequence of the ancient and inveterate misapprehensions which prevailed in ...
/.../chapter vii causes of corruption.htm

2 Cor. viii. 16
... For,' he says, that none should suspect us, nor have the slightest cavil against
us, as though we purloined aught of the money placed in our hands; therefore ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xviii 2 cor viii.htm

Suspect (1 Occurrence)
... upon weak evidence or no evidence; to mistrust; to surmise; -- commonly used regarding
something unfavorable, hurtful, or wrong; as, to suspect the presence of ...
/s/suspect.htm - 7k

Doubt (49 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To suspect; to fear; to be apprehensive. ... 4. (vt) To suspect; to fear;
to be apprehensive of. 5. (vt) To fill with fear; to affright. ...
/d/doubt.htm - 24k

Kid (42 Occurrences)
... Besides, it is even yet associated with immoderate feasting; and originally, I suspect,"
says Dr. Thomson (Land and the Book), "was connected with idolatrous ...
/k/kid.htm - 20k

Jealous (43 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Disposed to suspect rivalry in matters of interest and affection; apprehensive
regarding the motives of possible rivals, or the fidelity of friends ...
/j/jealous.htm - 20k

Furniture (24 Occurrences)
... Upon this saddle-basket Rachel sat with the teraphim hidden beneath, and her wily
father did not suspect the presence of his gods in such a place. ...
/f/furniture.htm - 16k

Firstling (8 Occurrences)
... Some scholars suspect the text, but in all probability the verse means no more than
similar references to the fact that the firstborn belonged to Yahweh ...
/f/firstling.htm - 15k

Fear (970 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) To have a reverential awe of; to solicitous to avoid the displeasure of.
8. (n.) To be anxious or solicitous for. 9. (n.) To suspect; to doubt. 10. ...
/f/fear.htm - 50k

Tiglathpileser (3 Occurrences)
... When he died in 727 BC, he was succeeded by Shalmaneser IV, who had occasion to
suspect the loyalty of his vassal Hoshea, king of Israel, and besieged him in ...
/t/tiglathpileser.htm - 11k

Tiglath-pileser (6 Occurrences)
... When he died in 727 BC, he was succeeded by Shalmaneser IV, who had occasion to
suspect the loyalty of his vassal Hoshea, king of Israel, and besieged him in ...
/t/tiglath-pileser.htm - 12k

Minnith (2 Occurrences)
... There are really no reliable data on which to suggest an identification, while there
are grave reasons to suspect the integrity of the text. W. Ewing. ...
/m/minnith.htm - 8k

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