Agitating, in a biblical context, refers to the act of stirring up unrest, discord, or controversy among individuals or groups. This concept is often associated with actions or behaviors that disrupt peace and unity, which are highly valued in Christian teachings. The Bible addresses the issue of agitation in various passages, emphasizing the importance of maintaining harmony and avoiding actions that lead to division.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, agitation is often linked to rebellion against God’s commandments and the established order. The Israelites, during their wilderness journey, frequently agitated against Moses and Aaron, leading to discord and divine judgment. For instance, in Numbers 16, Korah and his followers agitated against Moses' leadership, resulting in severe consequences: "The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, all Korah’s men and all their possessions" (Numbers 16:32).

The Proverbs also warn against those who sow discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists things the Lord hates, including "a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers" (Proverbs 6:19). This highlights the seriousness with which God views agitation that disrupts community harmony.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, agitation is addressed in the context of the early church and the spread of the Gospel. The apostles often faced agitators who opposed their message and sought to create division. In Acts 17:5, certain Jews, "becoming jealous, brought together some wicked men from the marketplace, formed a mob, and set the city in an uproar" . This agitation was aimed at disrupting the work of Paul and Silas in Thessalonica.

The epistles frequently caution against false teachers and agitators within the church. In Galatians 5:12, Paul expresses his frustration with those who were agitating the Galatian believers, saying, "As for those who are agitating you, I wish they would proceed to emasculate themselves!" . This strong language underscores the threat that agitators posed to the spiritual well-being of the community.

Christian Conduct and Agitation

The Bible encourages believers to pursue peace and unity, contrasting the behavior of agitators. In Romans 12:18, Paul advises, "If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone" . Similarly, in Ephesians 4:3, Christians are urged to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" .

Agitation is often seen as a work of the flesh, contrary to the fruit of the Spirit, which includes peace, patience, and gentleness (Galatians 5:22-23). Believers are called to be peacemakers, as Jesus taught in the Beatitudes: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9).

Conclusion

While the Bible acknowledges that conflict and agitation are part of human experience, it consistently calls believers to a higher standard of conduct that promotes peace and unity. Agitation, when it leads to division and strife, is discouraged, and Christians are encouraged to seek reconciliation and harmony in their relationships and communities.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Agitate.4531. saleuo -- to agitate, shake, by ext. to cast down
... by ext. to cast down NASB Word Usage agitating (1), shake (1), shaken
(11), shaken together (1), shook (1). shake, stir up. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4531.htm - 7k

The Exordium.
... some who were indignant, and rebuked him as one frenzied, and under the power of
demons, and possessed by the spirit of delusion, and agitating the multitude ...
/.../urbanus/the extant writings of asterius urbanus/i the exordium.htm

And Lead us not into Temptation.
... Then comes the devil, inciting and provoking in all directions, but especially
agitating matters that concern the conscience and spiritual affairs, namely, to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/and lead us not into.htm

Introductory Notice. To Anonymous Treatise on Re-Baptism.
... to a bishop as having been the writer; [5426] and it seems very probable that it
was written while the baptismal controversy was still agitating the Church ...
/.../introductory notice to anonymous treatise.htm

Unimpeachable Justice
... remembered. There is now agitating the public mind something which I thought
I might improve this day, and turn to very excellent purpose. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/unimpeachable justice.htm

Salvation to the Jews
... He stated his position on the questions which were agitating the Jewish and the
Gentile churches, and showed that the hopes and promises which had once ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 35 salvation to the.htm

The Widow's Mite
... It was not too modest, however, to catch, even in that agitating hour, the eye of
Jesus; and while the scribes were devouring widows' houses, a poor widow ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 12 41-44 the widows mite.htm

Ephesians ii. 11, 12
... these things both contain in themselves the greatest demonstration of His
loving-kindness, and they are the very subjects which Paul is now agitating in his ...
/.../homily v ephesians ii 11.htm

God's Peace Obtained in Answer to Prayer
... your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid," He implied that it was possible
to be delivered from the perplexing troubles and agitating fears incident to ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 3 gods peace obtained.htm

The Peroration of Rufinus Appended to his Translation of Origen's ...
... This duty of supplying what was wanted I took up because I thought that the practice
of agitating questions and then leaving them unsolved, which he frequently ...
/.../the peroration of rufinus appended.htm

Wickliffites.
... against all who should preach them; but while these proceedings were agitating,
Wickliffe died at Lutterworth, leaving many works behind him for the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/wickliffites.htm

Agitating (2 Occurrences)
...Agitating (2 Occurrences). Acts 16:20 When they had brought them to the magistrates,
they said, "These men, being Jews, are agitating our city, (WEB). ...
/a/agitating.htm - 7k

Agitation (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of agitating, or the state of being agitated; the state of being
moved with violence, or with irregular action; commotion; as, the sea after a ...
/a/agitation.htm - 7k

Agitated (9 Occurrences)

/a/agitated.htm - 8k

Uproar (33 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Acts 16:20 When they had brought them to the magistrates, they said,
"These men, being Jews, are agitating our city, (See NIV). ...
/u/uproar.htm - 16k

Inciting (2 Occurrences)
... But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed
by Paul at Beroea also, they came there likewise, agitating the multitudes. ...
/i/inciting.htm - 7k

Throwing (29 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Acts 16:20 When they had brought them to the magistrates, they said,
"These men, being Jews, are agitating our city, (See NAS NIV). ...
/t/throwing.htm - 14k

Thessaloni'ca (7 Occurrences)
... Acts 17:13 And when the Jews from Thessalonica knew that also in Berea was the word
of God declared by Paul, they came thither also, agitating the multitudes ...
/t/thessaloni'ca.htm - 8k

Disturbing (5 Occurrences)
... Disturbing (5 Occurrences). Acts 16:20 When they had brought them to the magistrates,
they said, "These men, being Jews, are agitating our city, (See RSV). ...
/d/disturbing.htm - 8k

Magistrates (18 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:20 When they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, "These men,
being Jews, are agitating our city, (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/m/magistrates.htm - 12k

Peace (523 Occurrences)
... obedience to law. 4. (v.) Exemption from, or subjection of, agitating passions;
tranquility of mind or conscience. 5. (v.) Reconciliation ...
/p/peace.htm - 46k

Who were the Bereans in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Agitating: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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