The term "critically" is not directly found in the text of the Bible; however, the concept of critical examination and discernment is woven throughout Scripture. In a biblical context, critical thinking involves the careful and prayerful evaluation of teachings, prophecies, and spiritual truths to ensure alignment with God's Word.

Discernment and Testing of Spirits

The Bible encourages believers to exercise discernment and to critically evaluate spiritual teachings. In 1 John 4:1 , the apostle John instructs, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." This verse underscores the importance of critically assessing spiritual messages to guard against deception.

Wisdom and Understanding

The pursuit of wisdom and understanding is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing the need for critical thinking. Proverbs 4:7 states, "Wisdom is supreme; therefore acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding." This passage highlights the value of seeking wisdom and understanding, which involves a critical approach to learning and applying God's truths.

Berean Example

The Bereans are commended for their critical examination of the Scriptures. Acts 17:11 describes them: "Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true." The Bereans' practice of daily Scripture examination serves as a model for believers to critically evaluate teachings against the Word of God.

Guarding Against Deception

The Bible warns against false teachings and emphasizes the need for vigilance. In Colossians 2:8 , Paul cautions, "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." This admonition calls for a critical approach to evaluating worldly philosophies and teachings that contradict biblical truth.

Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding believers in their critical examination of spiritual matters. John 16:13 promises, "However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come." The Holy Spirit aids believers in discerning truth from error, enabling them to think critically in their spiritual journey.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not use the term "critically" explicitly, the principles of discernment, wisdom, and careful examination are integral to the Christian faith. Believers are called to critically evaluate teachings, seek wisdom, and rely on the Holy Spirit to navigate the complexities of spiritual truth.1. (adv.) In a critical manner; with nice discernment; accurately; exactly.

2. (adv.) At a crisis; at a critical time; in a situation, place, or condition of decisive consequence; as, a fortification critically situated.

996. boetheia -- help
... aid). See 997 (). [996 () is used of auxiliary aid (remedy), critically
needed for rescue (as in Herodotus and Xenophon). 996 () is ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/996.htm - 7k

How to Speak in Public
... thoughts. It is the only certain way to clarify your thought, to test it in
advance of verbal expression and to examine it critically. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/talks on talking/how to speak in public.htm

Appendix v. Rabbinic Theology and Literature
... interpolations, as we would call them, was entirely different in those times from
ours; and it may perhaps be an historically and critically no unwarranted ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix v rabbinic theology and.htm

Synopsis. --The Present Net Results of the Discussion of the ...
... That there are miracles and miracles is patent to minds that have learned to scan
history more critically than when a scholar like John Milton began his ...
/.../miracles and supernatural religion/ii synopsis the present net results.htm

Synopsis. --Arbitrary Criticism of the Biblical Narratives of the ...
... of this kind."His raising of the widow's son probably such."The hypothesis that
his raising of Lazarus may also have been such critically examined."The ...
/.../miracles and supernatural religion/iii synopsis arbitrary criticism of the.htm

Preface.
... Scarcely of inferior importance would be critically correct editions of the Fathers
of the Church and these must by all means be furnished with far completer ...
/.../burgon/the last twelve verses of the gospel according to s mark/preface.htm

The Puritan Beginnings of the Church in virginia ---Its Decline ...
... We may feel constrained to accept only at a large discount the pious official
professions of King James 1. and critically to scrutinize many of the statements ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter v the puritan beginnings.htm

Manuscript Testimony Shewn to be Overwhelmingly in Favour of These ...
... How far the reading which results from the suppression of the last two words in
the phrase tois hagiois tois ousin en Epheso, is critically allowable or not, I ...
/.../chapter vii manuscript testimony shewn.htm

Appendix
... 2. Critically more trustworthy, and exegetically very valuable, is Bernhard Weiss,
Das Leben Jesu (3d ed.1889, 2 vols.), translated from the first ed., The ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/appendix.htm

Preface.
... Scarcely of inferior importance would be critically correct editions of the Fathers
of the Church; and these must by all means be furnished with far completer ...
/.../burgon/the last twelve verses of the gospel according to s mark /preface.htm

Manuscript Testimony Shewn to be Overwhelmingly in Favour of These ...
... SMALL LETTER PHI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER EPSILON WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER
SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA WITH YPOGEGRAMMENI}, is critically allowable or ...
/.../chapter vii manuscript testimony shewn.htm

Critically (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (adv.) At a crisis; at a critical time; in a situation, place, or condition of
decisive consequence; as, a fortification critically situated. ...
/c/critically.htm - 7k

Critical (2 Occurrences)

/c/critical.htm - 8k

Inspect (22 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To look upon; to view closely and critically,
esp. in order to ascertain quality or condition, to ...
/i/inspect.htm - 13k

Ethiopia (26 Occurrences)
... e-thi-o'-pi-a (kush; Aithiopia): 1. Location, Extent and Population: Critically
speaking Ethiopia may refer only to the Nile valley above the First Cataract ...
/e/ethiopia.htm - 45k

Beyond (209 Occurrences)
... Version be`eher, is occasionally translated "beyond," and when this word is joined
to ha-yarden, "Jordan," as it usually is, it becomes critically important. ...
/b/beyond.htm - 42k

Ahimelech (17 Occurrences)
... was made between the common and the holy (1 Samuel 21:4-6). The custom of the shewbread
was maintained (1 Samuel 21:6). In fine, Jesus is critically correct in ...
/a/ahimelech.htm - 20k

Astute (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Critically discerning; shrewd; sagacious; subtle;
crafty. Multi-Version Concordance Astute (2 Occurrences). ...
/a/astute.htm - 7k

Search (186 Occurrences)
... See SEARCHINGS. (3) "Search out" often means to study critically, to investigate
carefully, eg Job 8:8; Job 29:16 Ecclesiastes 1:13 Lamentations 3:40 Matthew 2 ...
/s/search.htm - 43k

Sift (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To separate or part as if with a sieve. 3. (vt) To examine critically or
minutely; to scrutinize. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SIEVE; SIFT. siv. ...
/s/sift.htm - 8k

Genealogy (29 Occurrences)
... The critically reconstructive school finds them chiefly in the late (priestly) strata
of the early books, and dates Chronicles-Ezra-Nehemiah (our fullest ...
/g/genealogy.htm - 70k

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Critically: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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