The term "desisted" refers to the act of ceasing or stopping from an action or course of behavior. In the context of the Bible, it often implies a deliberate choice to halt a particular activity, whether due to divine intervention, personal decision, or external circumstances. The concept of desisting is significant in understanding moments of repentance, obedience, and divine command throughout the Scriptures.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of desisting is frequently associated with God's commands and human responses to divine instruction. For instance, in the narrative of the Israelites, there are numerous occasions where God commands them to desist from idolatry and sinful practices. The prophets often called the people to desist from their evil ways and return to the covenant with Yahweh.

One notable example is found in the account of Jonah. After initially fleeing from God's command to go to Nineveh, Jonah eventually obeys and delivers God's message to the city. The people of Nineveh, upon hearing Jonah's proclamation of impending judgment, choose to desist from their wickedness. 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."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of desisting is often linked to repentance and the transformative power of the Gospel. The call to desist from sin and embrace a new life in Christ is a central theme. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently exhorts believers to desist from their former ways and live according to the Spirit.

For example, in Ephesians 4:22-24 , Paul writes, "You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Here, the act of desisting from the old self is part of the believer's sanctification process.

Theological Implications

Theologically, desisting is closely related to the concepts of repentance and obedience. It involves a conscious decision to turn away from sin and align oneself with God's will. This act is not merely a cessation of negative behavior but a positive turning towards God and His righteousness.

In the broader biblical narrative, desisting is often a response to God's grace and mercy. It is an acknowledgment of His authority and a submission to His divine plan. The ability to desist from sin is empowered by the Holy Spirit, who convicts and guides believers in their walk with Christ.

Practical Application

For believers today, the call to desist from sin remains relevant. It requires a daily commitment to examine one's life, recognize areas of disobedience, and seek God's strength to overcome them. Desisting is an ongoing process that involves both individual effort and reliance on God's grace.

In practical terms, desisting may involve setting boundaries, seeking accountability, and immersing oneself in Scripture and prayer. It is a vital aspect of spiritual growth and maturity, reflecting a heart that desires to honor God in all aspects of life.(imp. & p. p.) of Desist.

Chapter ii
... 2. And on the seventh day God declared His work on which He was engaged, finished,
and He desisted on the seventh day from all the work on which He had been ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter ii.htm

Matt. xxvii. 45-48.
... he exposed himself to death, taking upon him enmity with all, by his affection to
Jesus, both having dared to beg the body, and not having desisted until he ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxxviii matt xxvii 45-48.htm

Truth Rather to be Appealed to than Custom, and Truth Progressive ...
... the devil is always operating and adding daily to the ingenuities of iniquity, the
work of God should either have ceased, or else have desisted from advancing? ...
/.../tertullian/on the veiling of virgins/chapter i truth rather to be.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1836 to the ...
... He outlived all his contemporaries, and maintained an unblemished reputation to
the last, though he desisted from the labors of an itinerant preacher from the ...
/.../chapter 14 from the close.htm

Of the Church in Its Likeness to a vine Sprouting and Suffering ...
... And as these died in behalf of the truth of the faith in countless numbers throughout
all lands, even the persecuting kingdoms themselves desisted, and were ...
/.../on the catechising of the uninstructed/chapter 24 of the church in.htm

Of the Thousand Years
... contrived a commodious interpretation of that Millennium, (as they then imagined,)
leaving the authority of the Apocalypse untouched, they desisted from an ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the thousand years.htm

Letter Liv to Ermengarde, Formerly Countess of Brittany
... asserts that he and his mother had determined to build the Abbey of Buzay, but that,
misled by evil counsel of certain persons, they had desisted from their ...
/.../letter liv to ermengarde formerly.htm

Acts xxiv. 22, 23
... Yet against none of the Apostles had they set themselves thus pertinaciously;
there, when they had attacked, anon they desisted. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily li acts xxiv 22.htm

Colossians i. 9, 10
... And Paul shows here, that since that time he has been praying, and has not yet
prevailed, and yet has not desisted; for the words, "from the day we heard it ...
/.../homily ii colossians i 9.htm

John viii. 20
... take Him by their own or by others' hands without being able; they were not even
so awed by His power, but set themselves to their wickedness, and desisted not ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily liii john viii 20.htm

Desisted (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Desist. Multi-Version Concordance
Desisted (1 Occurrence). Judges 8:3 Into your hand hath ...
/d/desisted.htm - 6k

Desist (12 Occurrences)

/d/desist.htm - 9k

Lysias (3 Occurrences)
... speech of Paul had no pacifying effect, Lysias purposed examining him by scourging;
but on learning that his prisoner was a Roman citizen, he desisted from the ...
/l/lysias.htm - 12k

Desisteth (1 Occurrence)

/d/desisteth.htm - 6k

Abigal (1 Occurrence)
... Her beautiful and prudent words, as also her fair face, so won David that he desisted
from his vengeful purpose and accepted her gift (1 Samuel 25:32-35). ...
/a/abigal.htm - 10k

Abigail (18 Occurrences)
... Her beautiful and prudent words, as also her fair face, so won David that he desisted
from his vengeful purpose and accepted her gift (1 Samuel 25:32-35). ...
/a/abigail.htm - 17k

Temper (14 Occurrences)
... Judges 8:3 Into your hand hath God given the heads of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb; and
what have I been able to do like you?' Then their temper desisted from off him ...
/t/temper.htm - 13k

Claudius (3 Occurrences)
... speech of Paul had no pacifying effect, Lysias purposed examining him by scourging;
but on learning that his prisoner was a Roman citizen, he desisted from the ...
/c/claudius.htm - 15k

Targum
... of her son and came near before him and said 'In the blood of this circumcision
is the bridegroom given back to us,' and when therefore he had desisted she said ...
/t/targum.htm - 38k

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