Unsuspecting
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The term "unsuspecting" refers to a state of being unaware or not anticipating potential danger or deceit. In the biblical context, this concept often highlights the vulnerability of individuals who are not on guard against spiritual or moral threats. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that underscore the importance of vigilance and discernment in the life of a believer.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the unsuspecting are often depicted as those who fall prey to deceit or harm due to their lack of awareness. For instance, in the book of Joshua, the Gibeonites deceive the Israelites by pretending to be from a distant land, taking advantage of the Israelites' unsuspecting nature (Joshua 9:3-15). This incident serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of seeking God's guidance and being wary of deceit.

Proverbs, a book rich in wisdom literature, frequently warns against being naive or unsuspecting. Proverbs 14:15 states, "The simple believes every word, but the prudent gives thought to his steps." This verse contrasts the unsuspecting, who are easily misled, with the prudent, who exercise discernment and caution.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles often warn believers to remain vigilant against spiritual deception. Jesus cautions His disciples in Matthew 10:16, "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." Here, Jesus acknowledges the potential danger that awaits the unsuspecting and advises His followers to be both wise and innocent.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of being unsuspecting in his letters. In Romans 16:17-18, he warns the church to be on guard against those who cause divisions and put obstacles in their way, noting that such individuals deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattery. Paul emphasizes the need for discernment to protect the integrity of the faith community.

Spiritual Vigilance

The Bible consistently encourages believers to cultivate spiritual vigilance. In 1 Peter 5:8, Peter exhorts, "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." This vivid imagery underscores the constant threat posed by spiritual adversaries and the necessity for believers to remain watchful and prepared.

The parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13 further illustrates the importance of readiness and awareness. The five wise virgins are prepared for the bridegroom's arrival, while the five foolish ones are caught unsuspecting and unprepared. This parable serves as a metaphor for the need to be spiritually prepared for Christ's return.

Practical Implications

For contemporary believers, the biblical theme of being unsuspecting serves as a reminder to cultivate discernment and spiritual awareness. Engaging in regular prayer, studying Scripture, and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit are essential practices for maintaining vigilance. Additionally, being part of a faith community provides accountability and support in recognizing and resisting spiritual deception.

In summary, the Bible's teachings on being unsuspecting highlight the importance of vigilance, discernment, and preparedness in the life of a believer. By remaining alert and grounded in faith, Christians can navigate the challenges and deceptions of the world with wisdom and integrity.
Greek
172. akakos -- guileless
... Word Origin from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and kakos Definition guileless NASB Word
Usage innocent (1), unsuspecting (1). harmless, simple, innocent. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/172.htm - 7k

4625. skandalon -- a stick for bait (of a trap), generally a snare ...
... 4625 -- properly, the trigger of a trap (the mechanism closing a trap down on the
unsuspecting victim); (figuratively) an , putting a into motion. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4625.htm - 8k

Strong's Hebrew
983. betach -- security
... from batach Definition security NASB Word Usage confidence (1), safely (1), safety
(6), secure (2), securely (21), security (8), unawares (1), unsuspecting (2 ...
/hebrew/983.htm - 6k
Library

Heretics Appeal to Scripture that they May More Easily Succeed in ...
... nurses do when they would prepare some bitter draught for children; they smear the
edge of the cup all round with honey, that the unsuspecting child, having ...
/.../vincent/the commonitory of vincent of lerins/chapter xxv heretics appeal to.htm

Pardoned Sin Punished
... Absalom talking about his vow is a spectacle that might have made the most
unsuspecting sure that there was something in the wind. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/pardoned sin punished.htm

Chapter xxxiv
... when they were suffering pain, that the two sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, full
brothers of Dinah, each took his sword and came upon the unsuspecting city and ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxiv.htm

The Exile Continued.
... him. The tragical end of the unsuspecting priest's kindness brings out
the furious irrational suspicion and cruelty of Saul. He ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/v the exilecontinued.htm

The King --Continued.
... to some wild creature in the nets, so here Death, the hunter, has cast his fatal
cords about him, and they are ready suddenly to close on the unsuspecting prey ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/x the kingcontinued.htm

Parental Control.
... little things passed carelessly by that grow larger and larger, and stronger and
stronger, within the young heart until at last the unsuspecting parents awake ...
/.../byrum/the value of a praying mother/chapter x parental control.htm

The Surprise Party.
... "Men of low character and of evil inclinations regard the dance-hall as a favorable
place to betray unsuspecting girls and frequent it for that very purpose. ...
/.../byrum/the value of a praying mother/chapter xiv the surprise party.htm

The Marvels of Holy Scripture, --Moral and Physical. --Jael's Deed ...
... 1. Now, if you choose to consider Jael as one who lured a weary and unsuspecting
soldier into her tent,"shewed him hospitality,"and when he was asleep ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon vii the marvels of.htm

Fun and Mischief. His Little Cousin and the "Gnats. " the Aurora ...
... We got him to the nest and stirred them up, and in a few minutes the innocent,
unsuspecting boy was covered with yellow jackets. ...
/.../chapter iv fun and mischief.htm

The Same Night which Saw the Red Glare of the Burning Monastery ...
... cunning schemers, these pious detectives overreached the goal of their intention,
and bearing in mind the fact of the Cardinal's unsuspecting simplicity, it ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxxvi the same night which.htm

Thesaurus
Unsuspecting (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Unsuspecting (9 Occurrences). Romans 16:18 For
such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly, and ...
/u/unsuspecting.htm - 9k

Killing (41 Occurrences)
... on the third day, when they were sore, that two of Jacob's sons, Simeon and Levi,
Dinah's brothers, each took his sword, came upon the unsuspecting city, and ...
/k/killing.htm - 19k

Unsuited (1 Occurrence)

/u/unsuited.htm - 6k

Unswerving (1 Occurrence)

/u/unswerving.htm - 6k

La'ish (5 Occurrences)
... Judges 18:27 And taking what Micah had made, and the priest who belonged to him,
the Danites came to La'ish, to a people quiet and unsuspecting, and smote them ...
/l/la'ish.htm - 7k

Fowler (3 Occurrences)
... they set a trap, they catch men." Here is the plain comparison strongly drawn between
wicked men entrapping their fellows and fowlers taking unsuspecting birds ...
/f/fowler.htm - 11k

Trusting (45 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Trust. 2. (a.) Having or exercising trust; confiding;
unsuspecting; trustful. Multi-Version Concordance Trusting (45 Occurrences). ...
/t/trusting.htm - 19k

Dinah's (2 Occurrences)
... on the third day, when they were sore, that two of Jacob's sons, Simeon and Levi,
Dinah's brothers, each took his sword, came upon the unsuspecting city, and ...
/d/dinah's.htm - 7k

Danites (15 Occurrences)
... Judges 18:27 And taking what Micah had made, and the priest who belonged to him,
the Danites came to La'ish, to a people quiet and unsuspecting, and smote them ...
/d/danites.htm - 11k

Males (51 Occurrences)
... on the third day, when they were sore, that two of Jacob's sons, Simeon and Levi,
Dinah's brothers, each took his sword, came upon the unsuspecting city, and ...
/m/males.htm - 22k

Resources
Who was Simeon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Is it appropriate for a woman to propose to a man? | GotQuestions.org

Does the Bible say anything about Russia in relation to the end times? | GotQuestions.org

Unsuspecting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Unsuspecting (9 Occurrences)

Romans 16:18
For such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly, and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.
(DBY NAS)

Genesis 34:25
It happened on the third day, when they were sore, that two of Jacob's sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, each took his sword, came upon the unsuspecting city, and killed all the males.
(WEB NIV)

Judges 8:11
Gideon went up by the way of those who lived in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and struck the army; for the army was secure.
(See NAS NIV)

Judges 18:7
Then the five men departed, and came to La'ish, and saw the people who were there, how they dwelt in security, after the manner of the Sido'nians, quiet and unsuspecting, lacking nothing that is in the earth, and possessing wealth, and how they were far from the Sido'nians and had no dealings with any one.
(DBY RSV NIV)

Judges 18:10
When you go, you will come to an unsuspecting people. The land is broad; yea, God has given it into your hands, a place where there is no lack of anything that is in the earth."
(DBY RSV NIV)

Judges 18:27
And taking what Micah had made, and the priest who belonged to him, the Danites came to La'ish, to a people quiet and unsuspecting, and smote them with the edge of the sword, and burned the city with fire.
(DBY RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 30:9
In that day shall messengers go forth from before me in ships to make the careless Ethiopians afraid; and there shall be anguish on them, as in the day of Egypt; for, behold, it comes.
(See RSV)

Ezekiel 38:11
and you shall say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to those who are at rest, who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates;
(See NIV)

Micah 2:8
But lately my people have risen up as an enemy. You strip the robe and clothing from those who pass by without a care, returning from battle.
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Unsuspecting

Related Terms

Unsuspecting (9 Occurrences)

Unswervingly (1 Occurrence)

Josiah (51 Occurrences)

Loyal (15 Occurrences)

Conscience (36 Occurrences)

Abishai (25 Occurrences)

Steadfast (194 Occurrences)

Joab (128 Occurrences)

Timothy (28 Occurrences)

Unsuited
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