Definition and Meaning:
Cautiousness is the quality of being careful to avoid potential problems or dangers. In a biblical context, it often involves exercising wisdom, discernment, and prudence in decision-making and actions. The Bible encourages believers to be cautious in their walk with God, interactions with others, and in the face of temptation.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 14:16 : "A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless." This verse highlights the importance of caution as a characteristic of wisdom. The wise person is cautious, recognizing the dangers of evil and choosing to avoid it, while the fool is heedless and rash.

2. Proverbs 22:3 : "The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences." Here, prudence is equated with caution. The prudent, or cautious, individual is aware of potential dangers and takes steps to protect themselves, whereas the simple lack foresight and suffer as a result.

3. Matthew 10:16 : "Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." Jesus instructs His disciples to be cautious in their mission. The call to be "shrewd as snakes" implies a need for careful and wise navigation through a hostile world, balanced with innocence and purity.

4. 1 Peter 5:8 : "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." This admonition to be sober-minded and alert underscores the necessity of caution in the spiritual life. Believers are to be vigilant, aware of the spiritual dangers posed by the devil.

Theological Implications:

Cautiousness is closely linked to the biblical concept of wisdom. It involves a recognition of the fallen nature of the world and the presence of sin, prompting believers to act with discernment. Caution is not synonymous with fear or anxiety but is a balanced approach to life that seeks to honor God through careful consideration and righteous living.

Practical Applications:

· Decision-Making: Believers are encouraged to seek God's guidance and wisdom in making decisions, being cautious to align their choices with biblical principles.
· Relationships: Exercising caution in relationships involves setting healthy boundaries and being discerning about influences and associations.
· Temptation: Caution is vital in recognizing and avoiding situations that may lead to sin. Believers are called to be vigilant and to rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance.

Examples from Scripture:

· Joseph (Genesis 39): Joseph's cautiousness is evident in his response to Potiphar's wife's advances. He wisely avoids temptation by fleeing the situation, demonstrating prudence and integrity.
· Nehemiah (Nehemiah 4:9): Nehemiah exemplifies caution in leadership by praying and setting a guard against potential threats while rebuilding Jerusalem's walls. His actions reflect a balance of faith and practical wisdom.

Cautiousness, as a biblical virtue, is integral to living a life that honors God and navigates the complexities of the world with wisdom and discernment.(a.) Attentive to examine probable effects and consequences of acts with a view to avoid danger or misfortune; prudent; circumspect; wary; watchful; as, a cautious general.2126. eulabes -- cautious
... cautious. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: eulabes Phonetic Spelling:
(yoo-lab-ace') Short Definition: cautious, pious Definition: (lit: handling well ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2126.htm - 7k

2125. eulabeomai -- to be cautious
... to be cautious. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: eulabeomai Phonetic Spelling:
(yoo-lab-eh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I fear, am anxious Definition: I fear ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2125.htm - 6k

4337. prosecho -- to hold to, turn to, attend to
... Spelling: (pros-ekh'-o) Short Definition: I pay attention to, devote myself to
Definition: (a) I attend to, pay attention to, (b) I beware, am cautious, (c) I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4337.htm - 8k

5429. phronimos -- practically wise, sensible
... From phren; thoughtful, ie Sagacious or discreet (implying a cautious character;
while sophos denotes practical skill or acumen; and sunetos indicates rather ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5429.htm - 8k

3372a. yare -- to fear
... afraid (100), awesome (21), awesome acts (1), awesome things (4), became afraid
(1), became...frightened (2), become frightened (1), cautious (1), dismayed (1 ...
/hebrew/3372a.htm - 6k

I am Told, Further, that You Touch with Some Critical Sharpness ...
... One must be cautious of such a man as you, and give you a wide berth; otherwise
I may find my own name turned in a trice, and without my knowing it, from ...
/.../13 i am told further.htm

Rash Decisions.
... From our ignorance, we ought to be cautious and merciful in our judgments, and from
our own weakness, we should be forgiving to those who have trespassed ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/xli rash decisions.htm

Our Friends Take it Amiss that I have Spoken of the Origenists as ...
... but we should weigh well the cautious remarks of the philosopher. ... but we
should weigh well the cautious remarks of the philosopher. ...
/.../18 our friends take it.htm

What Can be More Distinct than this Statement? what could Possibly ...
... you accuse. For his mode of action is much more cautious. He is ... you accuse.
For his mode of action is much more cautious. He is ...
/.../29 what can be more.htm

The Almost Christian
... It is true, he has an inclination to religion, but then he is very cautious how
he goes too far in it: his false heart is always crying out, Spare thyself, do ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the almost christian.htm

A Jealous God
... necessarily sinful. A man may be zealously cautious of his honor, and
suspiciously vigilant over another, without deserving blame. All ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/a jealous god.htm

Commerce
... admonished: "Love work, hate Rabbiship, and do not press on the notice of those
in power." Similarly, Avtaljon warned the sages to be cautious in their words ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 12 commerce.htm

Early Impressions. Dangerous Books and Companions. The Saint is ...
... In this he was very cautious; and would to God he had been cautious about
them!"for I see now the danger of conversing, at an age when virtue should begin ...
/.../the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter ii early impressions dangerous.htm

Ep. Clxiii. George a Layman of Paspasus, was Sent by Theodore of ...
... God grant you to the Churches, both for our glory, and for the benefit of many,
being as you are so circumspect and cautious in spiritual matters as to make us ...
/.../cyril/select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/ep clxiii george a layman.htm

That we must not Believe Everyone, and that we are Prone to Fall ...
... "Be cautious," saith some one: "be cautious, keep unto thyself what I tell thee."
And whilst I am silent and believe that it is hid with me, he himself cannot ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xlv that we must.htm

Cautious (2 Occurrences)
... to examine probable effects and consequences of acts with a view to avoid danger
or misfortune; prudent; circumspect; wary; watchful; as, a cautious general. ...
/c/cautious.htm - 7k

Tread (60 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To set the foot; to step. 2. (vi) To walk or go; especially, to walk with
a stately or a cautious step. 3. (vi) To copulate; said of birds, esp. ...
/t/tread.htm - 26k

Cautiously (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In a cautious manner. Multi-Version
Concordance Cautiously (1 Occurrence). 1 Peter 3:16 Yet argue ...
/c/cautiously.htm - 6k

Guarded (27 Occurrences)
... & pp) of Guard. 2. (a.) Cautious; wary; circumspect; as, he was guarded in his
expressions; framed or uttered with caution; as, his expressions were guarded. ...
/g/guarded.htm - 14k

Whisper (9 Occurrences)
... the mouth. See Voice, n., 2, and Guide to Pronunciation, // 5, 153, 154.
8. (n.) A cautious or timorous speech. 9. (n.) Something ...
/w/whisper.htm - 10k

Ware (6 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A ware; taking notice; hence, wary; cautious; on one's guard. See
Beware. 6. (n.) The state of being ware or aware; heed. ...
/w/ware.htm - 8k

Watchful (17 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Full of watch; vigilant; attentive; careful to observe
closely; observant; cautious; -- with of before the thing to be regulated ...
/w/watchful.htm - 11k

Reserved (28 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Restrained from freedom in words or actions; backward, or cautious, in
communicating one's thoughts and feelings; not free or frank. ...
/r/reserved.htm - 15k

Envious (16 Occurrences)
... tongues. 3. (a.) Inspiring envy. 4. (a.) Excessively careful; cautious.
Multi-Version Concordance Envious (16 Occurrences). Matthew ...
/e/envious.htm - 11k

Discreet (9 Occurrences)
... a discreet letter, especially in avoiding error or evil, and in the adaptation of
means to ends; prudent; sagacious; judicious; not rash or heedless; cautious. ...
/d/discreet.htm - 9k

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