The term "captivated" in a biblical context often refers to the state of being deeply attracted or held by something, whether it be an idea, a person, or a spiritual truth. In Scripture, this concept can be seen in both positive and negative lights, depending on the object of captivation.

Positive Captivation:

1. Captivated by God’s Love and Glory:
Believers are encouraged to be captivated by the love and majesty of God. The Psalmist expresses a deep longing and admiration for God’s presence and beauty. In Psalm 27:4 , David writes, "One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple." This verse illustrates a heart captivated by the divine presence and splendor of God.

2. Captivated by Christ:
The New Testament frequently speaks of being captivated by the person and work of Jesus Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5:14 , Paul states, "For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died." Here, the love of Christ is a compelling force that captivates and motivates believers to live for Him.

3. Captivated by the Word of God:
The Scriptures themselves are a source of captivation for the believer. Psalm 119:97 declares, "Oh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation." The psalmist is captivated by the wisdom and guidance found in God’s Word, leading to a life of meditation and obedience.

Negative Captivation:

1. Captivated by Sin:
The Bible warns against being captivated by sinful desires and practices. In Romans 7:23 , Paul describes the struggle with sin, saying, "But I see another law at work in my body, waging war against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me." This captivity to sin is a condition from which believers seek deliverance through Christ.

2. Captivated by Worldly Desires:
The allure of the world can also captivate individuals, drawing them away from God. In 1 John 2:15-16 , believers are admonished, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world." This passage warns against being captivated by temporal and materialistic pursuits.

3. Captivated by False Teachings:
The early church faced challenges with false teachings that could captivate and lead believers astray. Colossians 2:8 cautions, "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ." This verse underscores the importance of remaining grounded in the truth of the Gospel.

Conclusion:

The concept of being captivated is multifaceted within the biblical narrative. It serves as a reminder of the importance of directing one's affections and focus toward God and His truth, while being vigilant against the captivating influences of sin and the world.(imp. & p. p.) of Captivate.1582. ekkremannumi -- to hang from, hang upon (the lips of a ...
... and " and 2910 , "to hang, hinge") -- properly, out from (one's own perspective)
and to (the new focus), ie with the of being totally captivated by someone's ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1582.htm - 7k631. asar -- to tie, bind, imprison
... to tie, bind, imprison NASB Word Usage began (1), begin (1), bind (8), bind me tightly
(1), bind you fast (1), binds (3), bound (28), captivated (1), captured ...
/hebrew/631.htm - 6k

Of the Fall of the Sons of God who were Captivated by the ...
... Chapter 22."Of the Fall of the Sons of God Who Were Captivated by the Daughters
of Men, Whereby All, with the Exception of Eight Persons, Deservedly Perished ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 22 of the fall of.htm

But when the Living Father Perceived that the Soul was in ...
... At the same time also the harvest-prince, [1500] if he too chances to be captivated
by the virgin, scatters pestilence [1501] on the whole earth, with the view ...
/.../the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/8 but when the living.htm

Psalm LI.
... Captivated with this woman's beauty, the wife of another, the king and prophet David,
from whose seed according to the flesh the Lord was to come, [1805 ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm li.htm

The Story of Panthea.
... his duty to the army, and lose his interest in the great military enterprise in
which he was engaged, if he should allow himself to become captivated by the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter x the story of.htm

"Who Walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit. "
... ver.8, has a description of natural men, "they that are in the flesh;" because flesh
is the predominant part that hath captivated a man's reason and will. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon iv who walk not.htm

On the Worthy Praise of the Pure Queen of Heaven.
... O, thou lovely divine spouse elect, if King Ahasuerus was captivated by the beauty
of Esther, if she was found pleasing in his eyes above all women, if she ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/chapter xvi on the worthy.htm

1 Timothy ii. 15-Nov
... he "saw the tree was good for food," but of the woman, and that she "did eat, and
gave it to her husband": so that he transgressed, not captivated by appetite ...
/.../homily ix 1 timothy ii.htm

A Treatise to Prove that no one Can Harm the Man who Does not ...
... For this indeed is the special feature in this life which deprives those who are
captivated by it of every excuse, that although it is the aim of their ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/a treatise to prove that.htm

The Empress Theodora
... Captivated by her beauty and her feminine graces, this staid, business-like, and
eminently practical personage, already marked as his uncle Justin's successor ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/xi the empress theodora.htm

With the Circus
... John's interest was at once captivated, and he felt that it would be great to join
the company and to act the part of the clown; and he soon began to plan to ...
/.../byrum/how john became a man/chapter viii with the circus.htm

Captivated (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Captivate. Multi-Version Concordance
Captivated (3 Occurrences). ... Be captivated always with her love. (WEB NIV). ...
/c/captivated.htm - 7k

Captivate (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To acquire ascendancy over by reason of some art or attraction; to fascinate;
to charm; as, Cleopatra captivated Anthony; the orator captivated all ...
/c/captivate.htm - 7k

Captive (123 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) One charmed or subdued by beauty, excellence, or affection; one who
is captivated. ... 4. (a.) Subdued by love; charmed; captivated. ...
/c/captive.htm - 43k

Graceful (6 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 5:19 A loving doe and a graceful deer- let her breasts satisfy you at all
times. Be captivated always with her love. (WEB JPS DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/g/graceful.htm - 8k

Embrace (11 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 5:20 For why should you, my
son, be captivated with an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another? ...
/e/embrace.htm - 11k

Doe (5 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 5:19 A loving doe and a graceful deer- let her breasts satisfy you at all
times. Be captivated always with her love. (WEB JPS ASV BBE NAS RSV NIV). ...
/d/doe.htm - 8k

Breasts (39 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 5:19 A loving doe and a graceful deer- let her breasts satisfy
you at all times. Be captivated always with her love. (WEB ...
/b/breasts.htm - 18k

Adulteress (12 Occurrences)
... Her mouth is smoother than oil, (WEB NAS NIV). Proverbs 5:20 For why should you,
my son, be captivated with an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another? ...
/a/adulteress.htm - 9k

Absalom (93 Occurrences)
... His charming manners, his personal beauty, his insinuating ways, together with his
love of pomp and royal pretensions, captivated the hearts of the people from ...
/a/absalom.htm - 50k

Satisfy (32 Occurrences)
... (WEB YLT NAS NIV). Proverbs 5:19 A loving doe and a graceful deer- let her breasts
satisfy you at all times. Be captivated always with her love. ...
/s/satisfy.htm - 16k

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