Vacillation refers to the act of wavering between different opinions or actions, characterized by indecision and lack of steadfastness. In the context of biblical teachings, vacillation is often seen as a spiritual weakness, contrasting with the call for faithfulness and unwavering commitment to God.

Biblical Instances and Teachings

1. Elijah and the Prophets of Baal: One of the most striking examples of vacillation is found in the account of Elijah on Mount Carmel. Elijah challenges the Israelites, who were torn between worshiping Yahweh and Baal, saying, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him" (1 Kings 18:21). This moment underscores the danger of spiritual indecision and the necessity of choosing whom to serve.

2. The Double-Minded Man: In the New Testament, James addresses the issue of vacillation in the context of faith and prayer. He writes, "But let him ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways" (James 1:6-8). Here, vacillation is linked to a lack of faith and stability, warning believers of the spiritual consequences of doubt.

3. Peter's Denial: The Apostle Peter's denial of Jesus is another poignant example of vacillation. Despite his earlier bold declarations of loyalty, Peter wavers under pressure and denies knowing Jesus three times (Matthew 26:69-75). This incident highlights human frailty and the need for divine strength to remain steadfast.

4. The Church of Laodicea: In Revelation, the church of Laodicea is rebuked for its lukewarmness, a form of spiritual vacillation. The Lord says, "I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other! So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to vomit you out of My mouth" (Revelation 3:15-16). This passage serves as a stern warning against complacency and indecision in spiritual matters.

Theological Implications

Vacillation is often seen as a symptom of a deeper spiritual issue—lack of faith or commitment. The Bible consistently calls believers to a life of decisiveness and dedication to God. The call to "choose this day whom you will serve" (Joshua 24:15) is a recurring theme, emphasizing the importance of making a clear and unwavering commitment to God.

Practical Applications

1. Faith and Prayer: Believers are encouraged to approach God with faith and confidence, avoiding the instability of doubt. As James advises, asking in faith without doubting is crucial for receiving from the Lord.

2. Spiritual Discernment: Christians are called to discernment, making clear choices in alignment with God's will. This involves rejecting the influences that lead to spiritual vacillation and embracing a life of obedience and faithfulness.

3. Strengthening Commitment: Regular engagement with Scripture, prayer, and fellowship with other believers can help strengthen one's commitment to God, reducing the tendency to vacillate in faith and practice.

In summary, vacillation is portrayed in the Bible as a spiritual weakness that believers are urged to overcome through faith, discernment, and a steadfast commitment to God.(n.) The act of vacillating; a moving one way and the other; a wavering.4741. sterizo -- to make fast, establish
... a duplication of the primitive Gk root, "to make stand") -- properly, set fast
(fix); give (firmly establish); solidly plant (which eliminates vacillation). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4741.htm - 7k

Jesus Sentenced
... The struggle between the vacillation of Pilate and the fixed malignity of the rulers
is the principal theme of this fragment of Christ's judicial trial. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/jesus sentenced.htm

'The God of the Amen'
... and act and speak so that they shall not fear to call His pure eyes to witness that
there are neither, hypocrisy, nor insincerity, nor vacillation, nor the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the god of the amen.htm

Jesus Before Pilate.
... He who knew what was in man saw that though Pilate was for the moment alarmed and
in earnest, yet there was beneath that earnestness an ineradicable vacillation ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/xix jesus before pilate.htm

The Message.
... changing"perishable. But the love they invoked was undying and everlasting,
superior to all vacillation"enduring as eternity. It ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/v the message.htm

Caiaphas
... He is impatient at their vacillation, and he brushes it all aside with the brusque
and contemptuous speech: 'Ye know nothing at all!' 'The one point of view ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/caiaphas.htm

Every Thing Proceeding from the Corrupt Nature of Man Damnable.
... Necessity must be distinguished from compulsion. The ancient Theologians acquainted
with this necessity. Some passages condemning the vacillation of Lombard. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 3 every thing proceeding.htm

Galatians Chapter V.
... For Another having once for all redeemed all of us from it, the Law ceases to have
any sway. By the word, "stand fast," he indicates their vacillation. ...
/.../galatians chapter v.htm

Letter Liv. Replies to Questions of Januarius.
... For often have I perceived, with extreme sorrow, many disquietudes caused to weak
brethren by the contentious pertinacity or superstitious vacillation of some ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter liv replies to questions.htm

The Bohemian Brethern and the Waldenses.
... This shows the vacillation of the Brethren between Presbyterianism and Episcopacy,
as well as between radical independency and historical conservatism. ...
/.../ 72 the bohemian brethern.htm

Chapter v
... noun. Such seeming vacillation is due to the process of gradual
crystallization of the generic noun into a proper noun (KC). The ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter v.htm

Vacillation (1 Occurrence)
... wavering. Multi-Version Concordance Vacillation (1 Occurrence). 2 Corinthians
1:17 Did I display any vacillation or caprice in this? Or ...
/v/vacillation.htm - 6k

Vacillating (1 Occurrence)
... wavering. Multi-Version Concordance Vacillating (1 Occurrence). 2 Corinthians
1:17 Did I display any vacillation or caprice in this? Or ...
/v/vacillating.htm - 6k

Vagabond (4 Occurrences)

/v/vagabond.htm - 9k

Worldly (25 Occurrences)
... in our relations with you. (WEY NIV). 2 Corinthians 1:17 Did I display any
vacillation or caprice in this? Or the purposes which I ...
/w/worldly.htm - 13k

Feeble-minded (2 Occurrences)
... occurs in Septuagint twice (Exodus 6:9 Psalm 54:7), for "anguish of spirit" and
"trouble." The term refers to weakness of will and vacillation of purpose ...
/f/feeble-minded.htm - 8k

Feebleminded (1 Occurrence)
... occurs in Septuagint twice (Exodus 6:9 Psalm 54:7), for "anguish of spirit" and
"trouble." The term refers to weakness of will and vacillation of purpose ...
/f/feebleminded.htm - 7k

Display (30 Occurrences)
... For we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men. (Root in WEB NIV).
2 Corinthians 1:17 Did I display any vacillation or caprice in this? ...
/d/display.htm - 15k

Purposes (67 Occurrences)
... If the dead are not raised, then "let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." (WEB).
2 Corinthians 1:17 Did I display any vacillation or caprice in this? ...
/p/purposes.htm - 25k

Plans (55 Occurrences)
... peoples formed futile plans? (WEY). 2 Corinthians 1:17 Did I display any
vacillation or caprice in this? Or the purposes which I ...
/p/plans.htm - 20k

Principles (11 Occurrences)
... See ELEMENTS; RUDIMENTS. Multi-Version Concordance Principles (11 Occurrences).
2 Corinthians 1:17 Did I display any vacillation or caprice in this? ...
/p/principles.htm - 10k

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