The term "in-wards" in the context of the Bible often refers to the inner parts or the internal aspects of a person, particularly concerning the heart, mind, and soul. This concept is significant in Scripture as it emphasizes the importance of one's internal spiritual state over mere external appearances or actions.

Biblical Usage and Significance

1. Heart and Mind: The Bible frequently highlights the importance of the heart and mind, which can be understood as the "in-wards" of a person. In 1 Samuel 16:7, the LORD tells Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart." This verse underscores the divine focus on the internal rather than the external.

2. Inner Transformation: The concept of in-wards is closely tied to the idea of inner transformation and renewal. Romans 12:2 states, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This transformation is an inward process that aligns a believer's heart and mind with God's will.

3. Purity of Heart: The Beatitudes, as recorded in Matthew 5:8 , declare, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Here, the purity of the in-wards is directly linked to the ability to perceive and experience God, highlighting the spiritual significance of internal purity.

4. The Law Written on the Heart: In the New Covenant, God promises to write His law on the hearts of His people. Jeremiah 31:33 says, "But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people." This inward inscription signifies a deep, personal relationship with God that transcends external observance.

5. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in transforming the in-wards of believers. In Ephesians 3:16-17 , Paul prays, "I ask that out of the riches of His glory, He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith." The Spirit's work in the inner being is essential for spiritual growth and maturity.

6. Self-Examination and Repentance: The Bible encourages believers to examine their in-wards regularly. Psalm 139:23-24 is a prayer for divine examination: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting." This introspection is vital for repentance and alignment with God's will.

Conclusion

The concept of "in-wards" in the Bible is a profound reminder of the importance of the internal spiritual life. It calls believers to focus on the heart and mind, seeking transformation, purity, and alignment with God's will through the work of the Holy Spirit.1004. bayith -- a house
... 15), residence (1), room (6), rooms (1), shrine* (1), temple (36), temple to the
house (1), temples (2), tomb (1), treasury* (1), turned inwards (1), web (1 ...
/hebrew/1004.htm - 7k

How These Young Presumptuous Disciples Misunderstand this Word "In ...
... They read and hear well said that they should leave outward working with their wits,
and work inwards: and because that they know not which is inward working ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the two and 4.htm

Of Conversion
... should it attempt any other co-operation with Divine Grace, than that of endeavouring
to withdraw itself from external objects and to turn inwards: after which ...
/.../guyon/a short and easy method of prayer/chapter xi of conversion.htm

The Presentation of the Blessed virgin in the Temple
... a big hooked nose. On his broad forehead he had two protuberances like horns,
turned inwards towards each other. They were not hard ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/iii the presentation of the.htm

Concerning "Great," "Small," "Same," "Different," "Like," "Unlike ...
... We can conceive of the mind's search for God in two ways: as a journey, (1) outwards,
to seek Him beyond the sky, (2) inwards, to seek Him in the heart. ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter ix concerning great small.htm

A Description of Heart-Purity
... God would have Aaron wash the inwards of the sacrifice (Leviticus 9:14). Civility
does but wash the outside; the inwards must be washed. ...
/.../16 a description of heart-purity.htm

Fasting, and the Goat Sent Away, were Types of Christ.
... eat of the goat which is offered, with fasting, for all their sins." [1528] Attend
carefully: "And let all the priests alone eat the inwards, unwashed with ...
/.../barnabas/the epistle of barnabas /chapter vii fasting and the goat.htm

Of Defects or Infirmities
... Should we either wander among externals, or sink into dissipation, or commit a fault,
we must instantly turn inwards; for having departed thereby from our God ...
/.../guyon/a short and easy method of prayer/chapter xviii of defects or.htm

Sermon for Whit Sunday
... by whomsoever it is spoken, proceeds from the Holy Ghost." Hence, at those moments
when all the powers of the soul are collected and turned inwards, it often ...
/.../xix sermon for whit sunday.htm

This Assiduity in Prayer, Though it Specially Refers to the ...
... By these words (as I understand them) he taught us to seek a place of retirement
which might enable us to turn all our thoughts inwards and enter deeply into ...
/.../of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 29 this assiduity in.htm

Third Tractate. The Knowing Hypostases and the Transcendent.
... We ask, then, whether the understanding principle in the soul has equally the power
of turning inwards upon itself or whether it has no more than that of ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/third tractate the knowing hypostases.htm

Inwards (24 Occurrences)
...Inwards (24 Occurrences). Exodus 12:9 Eat not of it raw, nor boiled at all with
water, but roast with fire; its head with its legs and with the inwards thereof. ...
/i/inwards.htm - 14k

In-wards (1 Occurrence)
In-wards. Inwards, In-wards. In-workings . Multi-Version Concordance In-wards
(1 Occurrence). ... (DBY). Inwards, In-wards. In-workings . Reference Bible.
/i/in-wards.htm - 6k

Covereth (61 Occurrences)
... Exodus 29:13 And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the
caul that is above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them ...
/c/covereth.htm - 24k

Fire-offering (45 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 1:9 and its inwards and its legs he doth wash with water; and the priest
hath made perfume with the whole on the altar, a burnt-offering, a fire ...
/f/fire-offering.htm - 21k

Rump (5 Occurrences)
... Exodus 29:22 Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the rump, and the fat that
covereth the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys ...
/r/rump.htm - 9k

Entrails (18 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 3:3 And he shall present of the sacrifice of peace-offerings an offering
made by fire unto the LORD: the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the ...
/e/entrails.htm - 11k

Lobe (19 Occurrences)
... Exodus 29:13 And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the
caul upon the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and ...
/l/lobe.htm - 12k

Redundance (11 Occurrences)
... Exodus 29:13 and thou hast taken all the fat which is covering the inwards, and
the redundance on the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat which 'is' on them ...
/r/redundance.htm - 10k

Caul (12 Occurrences)
... Exodus 29:13 And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the
caul that is above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them ...
/c/caul.htm - 12k

Peace-offering (46 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 3:3 And he shall present of the sacrifice of peace-offerings an offering
made by fire unto the LORD: the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the ...
/p/peace-offering.htm - 21k

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