The term "diverted" in a biblical context often refers to the act of turning away from a path, purpose, or focus that aligns with God's will. This concept is frequently addressed in Scripture, where individuals or groups are cautioned against being led astray from their faith or divine mission.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Israelites are repeatedly warned against being diverted from worshiping the one true God. The Law given to Moses emphasizes the importance of remaining faithful and not turning aside to follow other gods. Deuteronomy 5:32 states, "So be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you are not to turn aside to the right or to the left."

The narrative of the golden calf in Exodus 32 serves as a poignant example of diversion. While Moses was on Mount Sinai, the Israelites grew impatient and diverted their worship to an idol, demonstrating how easily people can be led astray when they lose sight of God's commands.

Wisdom Literature

The wisdom literature of the Bible also addresses the theme of being diverted. Proverbs 4:27 advises, "Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil." This verse underscores the importance of maintaining a straight path in life, avoiding distractions that lead to sin or folly.

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets frequently called the people of Israel and Judah to repentance, urging them to return to God and abandon their diverted ways. Jeremiah 17:5 warns, "Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes the flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD." Here, diversion is linked to misplaced trust and reliance on human strength rather than divine guidance.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, the concept of being diverted is often associated with false teachings and worldly distractions. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, cautions believers to remain steadfast in their faith. In 2 Timothy 4:3-4 , he writes, "For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."

The parable of the sower, found in Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8, illustrates how the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth can divert individuals from fully embracing the gospel. The seed sown among thorns represents those who hear the word but are distracted by life's worries and riches, preventing them from bearing fruit.

Spiritual Vigilance

The Bible encourages believers to remain vigilant and focused on their spiritual journey. Hebrews 12:1-2 exhorts, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith."

In this passage, the call is to avoid being diverted by sin and to maintain a steadfast focus on Jesus Christ, who provides the ultimate example of faithfulness and perseverance.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, the theme of being diverted serves as a cautionary reminder of the importance of remaining true to God's path. Whether through idolatry, false teachings, or worldly distractions, the Bible consistently warns against turning away from the truth and encourages believers to stay committed to their faith.(imp. & p. p.) of Divert.5496. suth -- to incite, allure, instigate
... root Definition to incite, allure, instigate NASB Word Usage diverted (1), entice
(2), enticed (1), incited (3), inciting (1), induced (1), mislead (2 ...
/hebrew/5496.htm - 6k

A Sequel to the Same Matter.
... tell me, that many times thou forgettest during a whole day, to renew thy resignation,
I answer, that though it seem to thee, that thou are diverted from it ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap xv a sequel to.htm

Of the Soul and the Mind, and their Affections.
... For as the mind is diverted in the day by true sights, so that it does not sleep;
so is it diverted in the night by false sights, so that it is not aroused. ...
/.../lactantius/on the workmanship of god/chap xviii of the soul and.htm

The Trinity and the Image of God is in that Part of the Mind Alone ...
... if action upon temporal things were to be withdrawn, for which work that help is
necessary, with a view to which some part of the mind is diverted in order to ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 4 the trinity and the.htm

What, Then, is Justice? we Distinctly Remember what in the Course ...
... Under these circumstances it is a matter of risk whether we happen to choose the
real beauty, or whether we are diverted from its choice by some deception ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter xxi what then is.htm

The Servant's Inflexible Resolve
... There are no traces of His ever faltering in His purpose, none of His ever suffering
Himself to be diverted from it, no parentheses and no digressions. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the servants inflexible resolve.htm

How Man is the Image of God. Whether the Woman is not Also the ...
... that both in the case when as a whole it contemplates the truth it is the image
of God; and in the case when anything is divided from it, and diverted in order ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 7 how man is the.htm

Human Government.
... Obj.3. It is said that Christians should leave human governments to the management
of the ungodly, and not be diverted from the work of saving souls, to ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xx human government.htm

Nevertheless one who Regards Only the Dissolution of the Body is ...
... That humanity, indeed, would be diverted from the good, could not be unknown to
Him Who grasps all things by His power of foresight, and Whose eyes behold the ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter viii nevertheless one who.htm

The Spread Net
... You observe that he is diverted now, as all men are diverted six weeks
after marriage"by another woman. I am not a jealous woman. ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter xvi the spread net.htm

My Brother Fabius
... But lest we be diverted from the point before us, we shall not by this deliverance
at once give occasion to the other discussions if one make answer ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/de fuga in persecutione/my brother fabius.htm

Diverted (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Divert. Multi-Version Concordance
Diverted (1 Occurrence). 2 Chronicles 18:31 And it came ...
/d/diverted.htm - 7k

Birthright (10 Occurrences)
... Yahweh. According to the accounts which have come down to us, all these gifts
and privileges could be diverted from the firstborn son. ...
/b/birthright.htm - 15k

Diversities (4 Occurrences)

/d/diversities.htm - 10k

Irrigation
... water was generally stored up in winter in reservoirs, and distributed through gardens
in numerous rills, which could easily be turned or diverted by the foot ...
/i/irrigation.htm - 9k

Dives

/d/dives.htm - 6k

Perga (3 Occurrences)
... Though the water of the river Cestris has now been diverted to the fields for
irrigating purposes, in ancient times the stream was navigable, and small boats ...
/p/perga.htm - 10k

Pamphylia (6 Occurrences)
... and the Cataractes, are said by ancient writers to have been navigable for several
miles inland, but now the greater part of their water is diverted to the ...
/p/pamphylia.htm - 12k

Stable (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) Steady in purpose; constant; firm in resolution; not easily diverted from
a purpose; not fickle or wavering; as, a man of stable character. ...
/s/stable.htm - 8k

Euphrates (36 Occurrences)
... In early times Babylonia was rendered fertile by immense irrigating schemes which
diverted the water from the Euphrates, which at Babylon is running at a ...
/e/euphrates.htm - 26k

Surrounded (51 Occurrences)
... that they said, That is the king of Israel; and they surrounded him to fight; and
Jehoshaphat cried out, and Jehovah helped him; and God diverted them from him ...
/s/surrounded.htm - 21k

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