In biblical terminology, the concept of "averts" is closely related to the idea of turning away or preventing something undesirable, often through divine intervention or human action aligned with God's will. The term itself may not appear explicitly in most translations, but the underlying principle is evident throughout Scripture.

Divine Intervention

The Bible frequently illustrates how God averts disaster or judgment when His people turn to Him in repentance and faith. One of the most notable examples is found in the account of Nineveh. In the Book of Jonah, God sends Jonah to warn the city of impending destruction due to their wickedness. Upon hearing Jonah's message, the people of Nineveh repent, and God averts the disaster He had planned. Jonah 3:10 states, "When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them."

Human Responsibility

Scripture also emphasizes the role of human responsibility in averting negative outcomes. Proverbs 16:6 highlights this principle: "By loving devotion and faithfulness, iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil." Here, the fear of the Lord and a life characterized by devotion and faithfulness are seen as means by which individuals can avert sin and its consequences.

Prayer and Intercession

Prayer is another significant means by which believers can seek to avert negative circumstances. James 5:16 underscores the power of prayer: "The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail." Throughout the Bible, intercessory prayer is shown to be a powerful tool in seeking God's intervention to avert calamity or judgment. For instance, Moses intercedes for the Israelites in Exodus 32:11-14, and God relents from bringing disaster upon them.

Wisdom and Discernment

The Bible also teaches that wisdom and discernment can avert personal and communal harm. Proverbs 22:3 states, "The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences." This verse highlights the importance of foresight and wise decision-making in avoiding potential pitfalls.

Moral and Ethical Conduct

Adhering to God's commandments and living a life of moral integrity are seen as ways to avert divine displeasure and its consequences. Deuteronomy 28 outlines blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, illustrating how adherence to God's laws can avert negative outcomes.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not use the term "averts" explicitly, the concept is woven throughout its teachings, emphasizing the importance of divine intervention, human responsibility, prayer, wisdom, and ethical conduct in preventing undesirable outcomes.

Application of the Subject. Advantages of Widowhood.
... are withal secret." If this dulling (of the spiritual faculties), even when the
carnal nature is allowed room for exercise in first marriage, averts the Holy ...
/.../tertullian/on exhortation to chastity/chapter x application of the subject.htm

I Believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth.
... the Father has not only given us all that we have and see before our eyes, but daily
preserves and defends us against all evil and misfortune, averts all sorts ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/i believe in god the.htm

Of Internal Acts
... I intend here to speak only of Internal acts, those energies of the soul, by which
it turns internally to some objects, and averts from others. ...
/.../guyon/a short and easy method of prayer/chapter xxii of internal acts.htm

Of the Power of Prayer.
... Now, however, the prayer of righteousness averts all God's anger, keeps bivouac
on behalf of personal enemies, makes supplication on behalf of persecutors. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on prayer/chapter xxix of the power of.htm

Grace and Free Will
... It averts temptations, assists and grants succour in the midst of temptations, sustains
man against the flesh, the world and Satan, and in this great contest ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/grace and free will.htm

The Answer that Without God's Help not Only Perfect Chastity but ...
... the palmerworm hath left." [1747] Nor is it only in this that the efforts of the
husbandman in his work need God's help, unless it also averts unlooked for ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter iii the answer that.htm

Job was not Without Sin.
... Accordingly [the Lord] rebukes certain men, saying, "Why will ye contend with me
in judgment?" [516] This [the Psalmist] averts, saying, "Enter not into ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 14 name was not.htm

Examples from the Old Testament, Balaam, Moses, and Hezekiah, to ...
... Now, since it is Christ who averts blasphemy from the Creator, I am at a loss
to know in what manner His adversary [4632] could have come. ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxviii examples from the old.htm

Different Modes of Conceiving.
... But the will averts the memory from the sense; when, through its being intent on
something else, it does not suffer things present to cleave to it. ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 8 different modes of conceiving.htm

The Festal Life
... I am the true Paschal Lamb, whose blood sprinkled on the doorposts averts the sword
of the destroying Angel, whose flesh, partaken of, gives immortal life. ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the festal life.htm

Averts (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Averts (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 21:14 By a secret
offering wrath is turned away, and the heat of angry ...
/a/averts.htm - 6k

Averted (5 Occurrences)

/a/averted.htm - 8k

Avim (3 Occurrences)

/a/avim.htm - 7k

Paraclete
... Here the Paraclete, Christ, is He who, on the basis of His propitiatory offering
for the sins of men, intercedes for them with God and thus averts from them ...
/p/paraclete.htm - 17k

Why did Jesus instruct us to pray 'lead us not into temptation' when God states that He does not tempt us? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus