Responsive
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In the context of biblical teachings, the term "responsive" refers to the readiness and willingness to listen, understand, and act upon God's word and guidance. This concept is deeply rooted in the Scriptures, where responsiveness to God is seen as a hallmark of faith and obedience.

Biblical Examples of Responsiveness

1. Abraham's Obedience: Abraham is a quintessential example of responsiveness in the Bible. When God called him to leave his homeland and go to a land He would show him, Abraham responded with immediate obedience. Genesis 12:1-4 states, "Then the LORD said to Abram, 'Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you.' So Abram departed, as the LORD had directed him, and Lot went with him."

2. Samuel's Listening Ear: The young Samuel exemplifies responsiveness in his willingness to listen to God's voice. In 1 Samuel 3:10 , when the Lord called Samuel, he replied, "Speak, for Your servant is listening." This readiness to hear and respond to God's call is a model for believers.

3. Isaiah's Willingness: The prophet Isaiah demonstrated responsiveness when he answered God's call to be His messenger. In Isaiah 6:8 , Isaiah responds, "Here am I. Send me!" This willingness to serve and act upon God's direction is a powerful example of responsiveness.

Teachings on Responsiveness

1. Hearing and Doing: The Bible emphasizes the importance of not only hearing God's word but also acting upon it. James 1:22 instructs, "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." This verse highlights that true responsiveness involves both listening and taking action.

2. The Parable of the Sower: Jesus' parable of the sower in Matthew 13 illustrates different responses to God's word. The seed that falls on good soil represents those who hear the word and understand it, leading to fruitful living. Matthew 13:23 says, "But the seed sown on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and produces a crop."

3. The Call to Repentance: Responsiveness is also seen in the call to repentance. In Acts 2:38 , Peter urges the people, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins." The call to repentance requires a responsive heart willing to turn from sin and embrace God's grace.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in enabling believers to be responsive to God's will. The Spirit guides, convicts, and empowers individuals to live in accordance with God's purposes. In John 16:13 , Jesus promises, "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth." The Holy Spirit helps believers discern God's voice and respond appropriately.

Responsiveness in Prayer

Prayer is a vital aspect of responsiveness, as it involves both speaking to God and listening for His guidance. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages believers to present their requests to God with thanksgiving, promising that "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This passage underscores the importance of being open and responsive to God's peace and direction in prayer.

Conclusion

The concept of responsiveness in the Bible is integral to a life of faith and obedience. Through examples of biblical figures, teachings on hearing and doing, and the role of the Holy Spirit, believers are encouraged to cultivate a responsive heart that listens to and acts upon God's word.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (a.) That responds; ready or inclined to respond.

2. (a.) Suited to something else; correspondent.

3. (a.) Responsible.

Greek
5219. hupakouo -- to listen, attend to
... 5219 ("to hearken, obey") suggests listening, ie fully compliant (responsive).
[5219 () is an "intensification" of the simple verb "to listen" (191 , "hear").]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5219.htm - 8k
Strong's Hebrew
3285. Yaanay -- an Israelite
... NASB Word Usage Janai (1). Jaanai. From the same as ya'en; responsive; Jaanai, an
Israelite -- Jaanai. see HEBREW ya'en. 3284, 3285. Yaanay. 3286 . ...
/hebrew/3285.htm - 6k
Library

The Arians and the Supporters of the Homoousion' Hold Nocturnal ...
... week, on which assemblies are usually held in the churches, they congregated within
the city gates about the public squares, and sang responsive verses adapted ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/chapter viii the arians and the.htm

Modern Movements in Presbyterian Churches Respecting Public ...
... ordination, etc. In the form for the visitation of the sick a responsive service
is provided, as also in the order for Holy Communion. On ...
/.../johnston/presbyterian worship/chapter ix modern movements in.htm

Enoch, the Deathless
... Some of them, also, were tenderly responsive to supernatural influences, and thus
rose to a spiritual stature which enables them to bulk largely in sacred ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/enoch the deathless.htm

The Age of Knox: the Formative Period of Presbyterian Worship.
... day, an impression has prevailed, and is still prevalent, that the book provided
a form of worship liturgical in character, with a responsive service, while ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/johnston/presbyterian worship/chapter ii the age of.htm

Presbyterian Worship Outside of the Established Church of Scotland ...
... In 1874 the General Assembly declared the practice of a responsive service in the
public worship of the sanctuary to be without warrant in the New Testament ...
/.../johnston/presbyterian worship/chapter viii presbyterian worship outside.htm

Hymns of Praise and Worship.
... sounds, and what an evangelical instrument a chorus of chanting voices could be
in preaching the Christian faith; and he introduced the responsive singing of ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter i hymns of praise.htm

The Dramatic Element in Speaking
... practise in the woods, during which he exploded all the vowels from the bottom to
the top of his voice, gave him not only a wonderfully responsive and flexible ...
/.../kleiser/talks on talking/the dramatic element in speaking.htm

Conclusion.
... Lastly, it is urged that the responsive reading of the Scriptures would prove an
aid to the intelligent understanding of them, and that the repetition of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/johnston/presbyterian worship/chapter x conclusion.htm

Miracles Granted to the Prayer of Friends.
... he is yet, in his most isolated adoration of the Father of his spirit, nearer every
one of the beloved than when eye meets eye, heart beats responsive to heart ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/vi miracles granted to the.htm

A Memorial Sketch by W. Robertson Nicoll
... For every one he had a message of hope, and, while the warm friend of a chosen circle
and acutely responsive to their kindness, he did not seem to lean upon ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/a memorial sketch by w.htm

Thesaurus
Responsive (2 Occurrences)
... respond. 2. (a.) Suited to something else; correspondent. 3. (a.) Responsible.
Multi-Version Concordance Responsive (2 Occurrences). 2 ...
/r/responsive.htm - 7k

Answer (2099 Occurrences)
... like; a reply. 21. (n.) Something done in return for, or in consequence of,
something else; a responsive action. 22. (n.) A solution ...
/a/answer.htm - 10k

Proverb (24 Occurrences)
... an enunciation of truth, self-evident and self-illustrative, in some pointed or
concentrated form adapted to arrest attention, awaken responsive thought, and ...
/p/proverb.htm - 29k

Wait (223 Occurrences)
... It implies the listening ear, a heart responsive to the wooing of God, a concentration
of the spiritual faculties upon heavenly things, the patience of faith ...
/w/wait.htm - 41k

Responsively (1 Occurrence)

/r/responsively.htm - 6k

Stiffnecked (9 Occurrences)
... Hence, the figure was used in the Scriptures to express the stubborn, untractable
spirit of a people not responsive to the guiding of their God (Exodus 32:9 ...
/s/stiffnecked.htm - 11k

Stiff-necked (18 Occurrences)
... Hence, the figure was used in the Scriptures to express the stubborn, untractable
spirit of a people not responsive to the guiding of their God (Exodus 32:9 ...
/s/stiff-necked.htm - 14k

Atheism
... But the fact of such spiritual longing implies also that there is a Being who is
responsive to and can satisfy the cry of the heart (Hebrews 11:6). In his ...
/a/atheism.htm - 13k

Dreamer (4 Occurrences)
... hand the safest and perhaps surest explanation for our own day and experience is
that in dream states the mind is more impressionable and responsive to natural ...
/d/dreamer.htm - 18k

Dream (82 Occurrences)
... hand the safest and perhaps surest explanation for our own day and experience is
that in dream states the mind is more impressionable and responsive to natural ...
/d/dream.htm - 47k

Resources
What is baby dedication? Is child / baby dedication biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Is it allowable to use candles in connection with prayer? | GotQuestions.org

Is it biblical to light candles for the dead? | GotQuestions.org

Responsive: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Concordance
Responsive (2 Occurrences)

2 Kings 22:19
because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before Yahweh, when you heard what I spoke against this place, and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and have torn your clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard you,' says Yahweh.
(See NIV)

2 Chronicles 34:27
because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God, when you heard his words against this place, and against its inhabitants, and have humbled yourself before me, and have torn your clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard you, says Yahweh.
(See NIV)

Subtopics

Responsive

Responsive Religious Service: General Scriptures Concerning

Related Terms

Answer (2099 Occurrences)

Proverb (24 Occurrences)

Wait (223 Occurrences)

Responsively (1 Occurrence)

Stiffnecked (9 Occurrences)

Stiff-necked (18 Occurrences)

Atheism

Dreamer (4 Occurrences)

Dream (82 Occurrences)

Amos (12 Occurrences)

Responsible (242 Occurrences)

Old (3966 Occurrences)

Testament (13 Occurrences)

Adam (29 Occurrences)

Woman (4043 Occurrences)

Synoptic

Gospels

Responsible
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