In the context of the Bible, the term "shuns" refers to the deliberate avoidance or turning away from something considered undesirable or sinful. This concept is often associated with the pursuit of righteousness and the rejection of evil. The act of shunning is seen as a moral and spiritual decision to distance oneself from behaviors, influences, or individuals that are contrary to God's commandments and teachings.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 3:7 · "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil."
This verse emphasizes the importance of humility and reverence for God, encouraging believers to shun evil by turning away from it. The act of shunning here is linked to the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom.

2. Proverbs 14:16 · "A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless."
The contrast between the wise and the foolish is highlighted, with the wise person shunning evil as a demonstration of their understanding and prudence. The fool, on the other hand, disregards the dangers of evil and acts recklessly.

3. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 · "Abstain from every form of evil."
The Apostle Paul instructs the Thessalonian church to shun all appearances of evil. This directive underscores the comprehensive nature of shunning, which involves avoiding not only overtly sinful acts but also anything that might lead to or resemble evil.

4. Job 1:1 · "There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. And this man was blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil."
Job is presented as a model of righteousness, characterized by his fear of God and his active shunning of evil. His life exemplifies the blessings and trials that can accompany a steadfast commitment to avoiding sin.

Theological Implications:

The act of shunning is deeply rooted in the biblical call to holiness and sanctification. It reflects a conscious decision to align one's life with God's will and to reject anything that might hinder one's spiritual growth or relationship with God. Shunning is not merely about avoiding sin but also about pursuing a life that is pleasing to God.

Practical Application:

For believers, shunning involves discernment and vigilance in daily life. It requires an awareness of the influences and temptations that can lead one away from God's path. This may involve making difficult choices about relationships, entertainment, and other aspects of life that could compromise one's faith and witness.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In biblical times, shunning was often a communal practice, where individuals or groups would be avoided to maintain the purity and integrity of the community. This practice is seen in various forms throughout the Old and New Testaments, reflecting the communal nature of faith and the collective responsibility to uphold God's standards.

Conclusion:

The concept of shunning in the Bible is a call to active engagement in the pursuit of righteousness. It is a reminder of the ongoing spiritual battle against sin and the importance of making deliberate choices to honor God in all aspects of life.

But You Will Perhaps Say the Human Race Shuns and Execrates Such ...
... Book V. 10 But you will perhaps say the human race shuns and execrates
such unions? But you will perhaps say the human race shuns ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/10 but you will perhaps.htm

Whether Sloth is a Special vice?
... Objection 3: Further, since spiritual good is a general kind of object, which virtue
seeks, and vice shuns, it does not constitute a special virtue or vice ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether sloth is a special.htm

The Spiritual Life
... that are to be done, for when a man does these his works are good and his life is
spiritual, and for the reason that so far as a man shuns evils and hates them ...
/.../swedenborg/spiritual life and the word of god/part firstthe spiritual life.htm

Faith is Necessary, that Man May at Some Time be Blessed, which He ...
... and prevents them if he is able; and he is in such way ready for both alternatives,
that, as much as is in him, he wishes for the one and shuns the other; and ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 7 faith is necessary that.htm

Whether Cowardice* is a Greater vice than Intemperance? [*Cf. Q ]
... First, as regards the matter. For cowardice shuns dangers of death, to avoid
which the principal motive is the necessity of preserving life. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether cowardice is a greater.htm

Rejoicing Before God.
... For what is lifeless and slothful fears and shuns life, as falsehood fears and shuns
the truth. III. Finally, our joy must be free from all vanity. ...
/.../schleiermacher/selected sermons of schleiermacher/x rejoicing before god.htm

Preface of Dr. Martin Luther.
... But though the Romish court is so dreadfully afraid of a free Christian Council,
and shuns the light so shamefully, that it has [entirely] removed, even from ...
/.../luther/the smalcald articles/preface of dr martin luther.htm

Life in India.
... He preaches, reads and labors assiduously with officers, passengers and crew, and
shuns not to declare the whole counsel of God, even the unpalatable doctrine ...
/.../rhea/life of henry martyn missionary to india and persia/life in india.htm

Arguments Drawn Even from Heathenish Laws to Discountenance ...
... Neither hides (ought) from the other; neither shuns the other; neither is troublesome
to the other. The sick is visited, the indigent relieved, with freedom. ...
/.../tertullian/to his wife/chapter viii arguments drawn even from.htm

Introduction. Modesty to be Observed not Only in Its Essence, but ...
... to relax into licentious extravagances of attire; just in accordance with Gentile
perversity, in craving after that of which it carefully shuns the effect. ...
/.../tertullian/on the apparel of women/chapter i introduction modesty to be.htm

Shuns (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Shuns (5 Occurrences). ... Proverbs 14:16 A wise man fears,
and shuns evil, but the fool is hotheaded and reckless. (WEB NIV). ...
/s/shuns.htm - 8k

Vaizatha (1 Occurrence)
... One" (OHL, 255). EGYPTIAN VERSIONS. vur'-shuns. See COPTIC VERSIONS.
Multi-Version Concordance Vaizatha (1 Occurrence). Esther 9:9 ...
/v/vaizatha.htm - 7k

Reckless (8 Occurrences)
... him. (DBY NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 14:16 A wise man fears, and shuns evil,
but the fool is hotheaded and reckless. (WEB NIV). Jeremiah ...
/r/reckless.htm - 8k

Egyptian (35 Occurrences)
... BJ, II, xiii, 5). EGYPTIAN VERSIONS. vur'-shuns. See COPTIC VERSIONS.
Multi-Version Concordance Egyptian (35 Occurrences). Acts 7:24 ...
/e/egyptian.htm - 19k

Expose (12 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To deprive of concealment; to discover; to lay open to public inspection,
or bring to public notice, as a thing that shuns publicity, something criminal ...
/e/expose.htm - 10k

Bible
... the field. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ARMENIAN VERSIONS, OF THE BIBLE.
ar-me'-ni-an vur'-shuns, bi'-bl. I. ANCIENT ARMENIAN ...
/b/bible.htm - 101k

Constellations (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia CONSTELLATIONS. kon-ste-la'-shuns (kecilim,
literally, "Orions"). See ASTRONOMY, sec. II, 11. CHERUBIC ...
/c/constellations.htm - 8k

Anglo-saxon
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ANGLO-SAXON VERSIONS. an-glo-sax'-on vur'-shuns.
See ENGLISH VERSIONS. Anglosaxon, Anglo-saxon. Angrily . Reference Bible
/a/anglo-saxon.htm - 7k

Anglosaxon
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ANGLO-SAXON VERSIONS.
an-glo-sax'-on vur'-shuns. See ENGLISH VERSIONS. ...
/a/anglosaxon.htm - 6k

Armenian
... Roman Catholic. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ARMENIAN VERSIONS, OF THE
BIBLE. ar-me'-ni-an vur'-shuns, bi'-bl. I. ANCIENT ARMENIAN ...
/a/armenian.htm - 18k

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