Demeanor refers to one's outward behavior, conduct, or manner, which can reflect inner character and attitudes. In the Bible, demeanor is often linked to the virtues and qualities that are pleasing to God, as well as those that are not. The Scriptures provide guidance on how believers should conduct themselves in various aspects of life, emphasizing the importance of a demeanor that aligns with Christian values.

Biblical Principles of Demeanor

1. Humility and Gentleness: The Bible frequently highlights humility and gentleness as key aspects of a godly demeanor. In Ephesians 4:2, Paul exhorts believers to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love." This passage underscores the importance of a demeanor that is patient and loving, reflecting the character of Christ.

2. Self-Control and Sobriety: Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit and a vital component of a Christian's demeanor. In Titus 2:6, young men are encouraged to "be self-controlled." Similarly, 1 Peter 5:8 advises believers to "be sober-minded and alert," indicating that a disciplined and vigilant demeanor is essential for spiritual readiness and moral integrity.

3. Respect and Honor: A respectful demeanor is emphasized in the context of relationships and authority. In 1 Peter 2:17, believers are instructed to "show proper respect to everyone, love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king." This verse highlights the importance of a demeanor that respects others and honors established authorities, reflecting a heart that reveres God.

4. Peace and Peacemaking: The demeanor of a peacemaker is highly valued in Scripture. In Matthew 5:9, Jesus states, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." A demeanor that seeks peace and reconciliation is indicative of a heart aligned with God's desire for harmony among His people.

5. Joy and Thankfulness: A joyful and thankful demeanor is encouraged throughout the Bible. In Philippians 4:4, Paul writes, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Additionally, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 instructs believers to "give thanks in all circumstances," suggesting that a demeanor of joy and gratitude is a testament to one's faith and trust in God's sovereignty.

Negative Aspects of Demeanor

1. Pride and Arrogance: The Bible warns against a demeanor characterized by pride and arrogance. Proverbs 16:18 states, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Such a demeanor is contrary to the humility that God desires and often leads to downfall and separation from God.

2. Anger and Hostility: An angry and hostile demeanor is discouraged in Scripture. James 1:19-20 advises, "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man's anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires." A demeanor marked by anger can hinder one's relationship with God and others.

3. Deceit and Hypocrisy: The Bible condemns a deceitful and hypocritical demeanor. In Matthew 23:27-28, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees, saying, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and every kind of impurity." A demeanor that is outwardly righteous but inwardly corrupt is detestable to God.

Conclusion

The Bible provides clear guidance on the demeanor that is pleasing to God, emphasizing virtues such as humility, self-control, respect, peace, joy, and thankfulness. Conversely, it warns against pride, anger, deceit, and hypocrisy. Believers are called to cultivate a demeanor that reflects the character of Christ, serving as a witness to the transformative power of the Gospel.1. (n.) Behavior; deportment; carriage; bearing; as, a pleasant demeanor; mien.

2. (v. t.) Management; treatment; conduct.

2688. katastema -- demeanor
... demeanor. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: katastema Phonetic Spelling:
(kat-as'-tay-mah) Short Definition: behavior, conduct Definition: behavior ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2688.htm - 7k

3955. parresiazomai -- to speak freely or boldly
... speak boldly. Middle voice from parrhesia; to be frank in utterance, or confident
in spirit and demeanor -- be (wax) bold, (preach, speak) boldly. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3955.htm - 7k

5544. chrestotes -- goodness, excellence, uprightness
... gentleness, goodness, kindness. From chrestos; usefulness, ie Morally, excellence
(in character or demeanor) -- gentleness, good(-ness), kindness. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5544.htm - 7k

Letter viii. Who are the Cultivated?
... impostor. What, then, is the secret that lies behind the demeanor and manners
of the cultivated man or woman, or the cultivated family? ...
/.../letter viii who are the.htm

The Sermon on the Mount.
... By sheep's clothing we are to understand that they shall bear a gentle, meek, and
inoffensive outward demeanor; but they use this demeanor as a cloak to hide ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlii the sermon on the 10.htm

Desire to Please.
... should guard the senses, the mind and the heart with vigilant care; without ceasing
on that account to be simple and natural in your whole demeanor; for the ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter xvi desire to please.htm

The Anti-Missionary Agitation.
... We see the evidence, as we walk the streets, in the countenances and demeanor of
the literati and officials, and somewhat in the countenances and demeanor of ...
/.../fagg/forty years in south china/x the anti-missionary agitation.htm

"Thou Shalt Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother. "
... And this honor consists not only in respectful demeanor, but in this: that we obey
them, look up to, esteem and heed their words and example, accept what they ...
/.../luther/a treatise on good works/thou shalt honor thy father.htm

V. ...
... And although it is not directed to women to preach, yet should they so conduct
themselves in their demeanor and conversation that they may thereby attract ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter iii v .htm

Concerning the Outward Manifestations by which this Second ...
... appeased. And thus exomologesis is a discipline for man's prostration and
humiliation, enjoining a demeanor calculated to move mercy. ...
/.../tertullian/on repentance/chapter ix concerning the outward manifestations.htm

A Little Sermon to School-Girls.
... the sciences, possessed of extensive knowledge of literature, fine musicians, fine
artists, and yet selfish, ungentle, proud or haughty in demeanor, wanting in ...
/.../a little sermon to school-girls.htm

Women who Witnessed the Fall of Rome
... a quantity such as might suffice for a dozen persons), the garments most agreeable
to their fancy, and maintain till their departure the same haughty demeanor ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/vii women who witnessed the.htm

Phrases for Talkers
... In an imperative voice Marked by copiousness and vivacity Touched with sombre dignity
A ridiculous misconception Habitual austerity of demeanor Ostentation and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/talks on talking/phrases for talkers.htm

Demeanor (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Behavior; deportment; carriage; bearing; as, a
pleasant demeanor; mien. ... Multi-Version Concordance Demeanor (1 Occurrence). ...
/d/demeanor.htm - 6k

Gravity (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Seriousness; severity; heaviness; as, the gravity
of a difficult situation. 2. (a.) Sobriety of character or demeanor. ...
/g/gravity.htm - 9k

Behavior (20 Occurrences)
... of good behavior," the Revised Version (British and American) "orderly" (katastema,
"demeanor," "deportment"), including, according to Dean Alford, "gesture ...
/b/behavior.htm - 13k

Tobit
... fact that he buried Jewish corpses intended to be disgraced by exposure, he like
other Jews (Daniel, etc.) won favor at court by his upright demeanor and was ...
/t/tobit.htm - 34k

Reverence (42 Occurrences)
... a man reverend (aidemon, "modest") in bearing," and in the New Testament the Revised
Version (British and American) has "reverent in demeanor" (hieroprepes) in ...
/r/reverence.htm - 21k

Demeanour (3 Occurrences)

/d/demeanour.htm - 7k

Demas (3 Occurrences)

/d/demas.htm - 8k

Deportment (12 Occurrences)
... (n.) Manner of acting; conduct; carriage of self; especially, manner of acting with
respect to the courtesies and duties of life; behavior; demeanor; bearing. ...
/d/deportment.htm - 10k

Modest (2 Occurrences)
... the proprieties of the sex; not unwomanly in act or bearing; free from undue
familiarity, indecency, or lewdness; decent in speech and demeanor; -- said of a ...
/m/modest.htm - 7k

Pride (277 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Proud or disdainful behavior or treatment; insolence or arrogance of demeanor;
haughty bearing and conduct; insolent exultation; disdain. ...
/p/pride.htm - 37k

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