Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5769 behaviour

5769 behaviour

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5760 Human attitudes and behaviour » 5769 behaviour

A person's actions or way of life. Good behaviour will not earn salvation, but believers must practise good behaviour in accordance with Scripture as evidence of their conversion. Scripture stresses that bad behaviour is inconsistent with Christian faith and urges believers to mend their ways.

Examples of good behaviour

Genesis 6:22; Luke 1:6 See also Genesis 5:24; 2 Kings 18:3; Job 1:8; John 1:47; 3Jn 3,5-6,12

Examples of bad behaviour

1 Kings 16:30 See also Genesis 4:8; Genesis 6:5; 1 Samuel 25:3; 2 Timothy 4:14; 3Jn 9-10

Good behaviour towards God is commanded

Exodus 20:2-11 pp Deuteronomy 5:6-15

Obedience to God's word

Good behaviour towards other people is commanded

1 Peter 2:12 See also Exodus 20:12-17 pp Deuteronomy 5:16-21; Psalm 15:1-5; Proverbs 12:2 Pr 10:1-31:31 contains much wisdom concerning good and bad behaviour; Matthew 5:21-24

Good behaviour does not earn salvation

Romans 3:20; Titus 3:5 See also Galatians 2:15-16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 3:9

Good behaviour confirms a believer's profession of faith

James 2:14-19; 2 Peter 1:5-11 See also Matthew 7:16-20 pp Luke 6:43-45

Obedience to Jesus Christ and his teachings

Matthew 7:24-25 pp Luke 6:47-48 See also John 14:15,23; John 15:10; Colossians 3:16

A believer has died to sin and is alive to God

Romans 6:11-14 See also Romans 6:2,19; Galatians 5:16,24-25; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:1,5,9-10; 1 Thessalonians 5:5-8