In the biblical context, the concept of being "experienced" often relates to wisdom, maturity, and the ability to discern and act according to God's will. The Bible frequently emphasizes the value of experience, particularly as it pertains to spiritual growth and leadership.

Old Testament Insights

The Old Testament provides numerous examples of individuals whose experiences shaped their faith and leadership. Moses, for instance, spent forty years in the wilderness before leading the Israelites out of Egypt. His experiences as a shepherd in Midian prepared him for guiding God's people. Similarly, David's experiences as a shepherd and warrior equipped him to be a king after God's own heart. In Psalm 37:25, David reflects on his life, saying, "I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread" . This verse highlights the wisdom and assurance that come with a lifetime of experiencing God's faithfulness.

Wisdom Literature

The wisdom literature of the Bible, particularly the Book of Proverbs, underscores the importance of experience in gaining wisdom. Proverbs 16:31 states, "Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness" . This proverb suggests that a life lived in righteousness, marked by experiences of walking with God, is honorable and worthy of respect. Experience is portrayed as a teacher that imparts understanding and insight.

New Testament Perspectives

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul frequently discusses the role of experience in the life of a believer. In Romans 5:3-4, Paul writes, "Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope" . Here, Paul outlines a process where experiences, even those involving suffering, contribute to spiritual maturity and hope.

The qualifications for church leaders, as outlined in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, also emphasize the importance of experience. Elders and overseers are to be individuals who have demonstrated faithfulness and maturity, often evidenced by their life experiences and ability to manage their households well.

Role of Experience in Spiritual Growth

Experience is integral to spiritual growth and maturity. Hebrews 5:14 states, "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil" . This passage suggests that maturity, gained through experience, enables believers to discern and make wise decisions.

The Bible also warns against the pitfalls of inexperience. In 1 Timothy 3:6, Paul advises that a church leader "must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil" . This caution highlights the potential dangers of placing individuals in positions of authority without the necessary experience.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, experience is portrayed as a valuable asset in the life of a believer. It is through the trials, challenges, and triumphs of life that individuals grow in wisdom and understanding, becoming more effective in their service to God and others.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Exrerience.

2. (p. p. & a.) Taught by practice or by repeated observations; skillful or wise by means of trials, use, or observation; as, an experienced physician, workman, soldier; an experienced eye.

1990. epistemon -- knowing, skilled
... skilled. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: epistemon Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ee-stay'-mone) Short Definition: skillful, experienced Definition: skillful ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1990.htm - 6k

3984. peira -- a trial, an experiment
... attempt. Word Origin a prim. word Definition a trial, an experiment NASB
Word Usage attempted* (1), experienced* (1). trial. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3984.htm - 6k

314. anaginosko -- to know certainly, know again, read
... again" through . Reading (314/) enables others to re-live (re-appreciate)
what was conveyed (experienced) by the original. Word ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/314.htm - 8k

4433. ptocheuo -- to be a beggar, be destitute
... 4433 ("become destitute") is only used in 2 Cor 8:9 of the physical humiliations
Christ voluntarily experienced in His mission here on earth. See 4434 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4433.htm - 7k

3804. pathema -- that which befalls one, ie a suffering, a passion
... Ro 8:18; Phil 3:10; 1 Pet 5:1). 3804 () is inherently negative; indeed, it is
negative when experienced outside of (apart from) . See 3958 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3804.htm - 8k

74. agonia -- a contest, great fear
... Cognate: 74 (a noun; see also 73 , the noun) -- the brand of struggle that emphasizes
pressure, ie experienced in an intensely way (used only in Lk 22:44). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/74.htm - 6k

3677. onar -- a dream, in a dream
... 3677 -- a , experienced while sleeping. 3677 ("a dream") refers strictly to a
sleep-dream. It is used six times in the NT (all in ). Word Origin a prim. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3677.htm - 6k

3601. odune -- pain, distress
... Cognate: 3601 -- intense emotional pain (personal anguish); , which is emotionally
lethal if experienced apart from God's grace which comforts. See 3600 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3601.htm - 6k

2983. lambano -- to take, receive
... 1), bring (2), caught (1), caught caught (1), collect (1), collected (1), conferred*
(2), conspired* (1), consulted* (1), experienced* (1), forgotten* (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2983.htm - 11k

2593. chanik -- trained, tried, experienced
... 2592, 2593. chanik. 2594 . trained, tried, experienced. Transliteration:
chanik Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-neek') Short Definition: men. ...
/hebrew/2593.htm - 6k

3045. yada -- to know
... consider (3), declare (1), detected (1), directed (1), discern (2), disciplined
(1), discovered (3), distinguish (1), endowed (3), experienced (4), experiences ...
/hebrew/3045.htm - 8k

The vicissitudes Experienced in the Christian Life
... The Vicissitudes Experienced in the Christian Life. I suffer fruitless anguish
day by day, Each moment, as it passes, marks my pain; ...
/.../the vicissitudes experienced in the.htm

"But Clearly, as we Experienced, He Repaired, with Manifold ...
... Dialogues of Sulpitius Severus. Chapter XIV. "But clearly, as we experienced,
he repaired, with manifold interest? "But clearly ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xiv but clearly as.htm

Not Even the Most Experienced Men could Persuade Him of the Vanity ...
... Book IV. Chapter III."Not Even the Most Experienced Men Could Persuade
Him of the Vanity of Astrology to Which He Was Devoted. ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter iii not even the most.htm

How the Devil Always Retained this Notion of Christ's Divinity ...
... How the devil always retained this notion of Christ's Divinity (because of His secret
working which he experienced) even up to His Cross and Death. ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter xiii how the devil.htm

How, after the Death of Joshua their Commander, the Israelites ...
... CHAPTER 2. How, After The Death Of Joshua Their Commander, The Israelites Transgressed
The Laws Of Their Country, And Experienced Great Afflictions; And When ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how after the.htm

Agrippa, who was Also Called Herod, Having Persecuted the Apostles ...
... Book II. Chapter X."Agrippa, who was also called Herod, having persecuted
the Apostles, immediately experienced the Divine Vengeance. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter x agrippa who was also.htm

Of Decius, Valerian, and Aurelian, who Experienced a Miserable End ...
... of the emperor constantine, which he addressed "to the assembly of the saints."
Chapter XXIV."Of Decius, Valerian, and Aurelian, who experienced a Miserable ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xxiv of decius valerian and.htm

A Comparison of the Disasters which Rome Experienced During the ...
... Chapter 29."A Comparison of the Disasters Which Rome Experienced During the Gothic
and Gallic Invasions, with Those Occasioned by the Authors of the Civil ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 29 a comparison of the.htm

Preparatory Considerations.
... intelligible signification which can be affixed to the term "contrary to experience,"
but one, viz., that of not having ourselves experienced anything similar ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/preparatory considerations.htm

Letter ii. --Good Symptoms.
... The slight distraction and diminution of peace that you experienced directly you
left this state of stupidity for a short time ought to have shown you what ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter ii good symptoms.htm

Experienced (23 Occurrences)
... 2. (pp & a.) Taught by practice or by repeated observations; skillful or wise by
means of trials, use, or observation; as, an experienced physician, workman ...
/e/experienced.htm - 13k

Song (207 Occurrences)
... In magnificent strains it celebrates the deliverance just experienced, extolling
the attributes of Yahweh revealed in the triumph (Exodus 15:1-12), then ...
/s/song.htm - 78k

Fellowship (114 Occurrences)
... in which these terms are used fall into two groups: those in which they refer to
acts of fellowship, and those in which they refer to fellowship as experienced...
/f/fellowship.htm - 47k

Expert (59 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Taught by use, practice, or experience, experienced; having facility of
operation or performance from practice; knowing and ready from much practice ...
/e/expert.htm - 25k

Awakens (4 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 50:4 The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are experienced, so
that I may be able to give the word a special sense for the feeble: every ...
/a/awakens.htm - 7k

Experience (28 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 5:13 For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word
of righteousness, for he is a baby. (Root in WEB ASV BBE). ...
/e/experience.htm - 17k

Communion (8 Occurrences)
... in which these terms are used fall into two groups: those in which they refer to
acts of fellowship, and those in which they refer to fellowship as experienced...
/c/communion.htm - 30k

Christianity
... Christian power. This power is the great experienced reality in the light
of which alone the other realities become intelligible. "One ...
/c/christianity.htm - 101k

Disciple (38 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 50:4 The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are experienced, so
that I may be able to give the word a special sense for the feeble: every ...
/d/disciple.htm - 22k

Special (89 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 50:4 The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are experienced, so
that I may be able to give the word a special sense for the feeble: every ...
/s/special.htm - 34k

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