Incompetence, as a concept, is not directly addressed in the Bible using the specific term "incompetent." However, the Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings that relate to the idea of lacking the necessary ability, skill, or knowledge to perform a task effectively. The Bible often contrasts incompetence with wisdom, diligence, and the proper use of God-given talents.

Biblical Examples and Teachings:

1. Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30): This parable illustrates the importance of using one's abilities wisely. The servant who buried his talent out of fear and laziness was deemed "wicked and lazy" (Matthew 25:26) by his master. This account highlights the expectation that individuals should competently manage and grow what has been entrusted to them.

2. Proverbs on Wisdom and Foolishness: The Book of Proverbs frequently contrasts the wise with the foolish, often implying that foolishness is akin to incompetence. Proverbs 10:4 states, "Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth." This suggests that incompetence, often linked with laziness or lack of diligence, leads to negative outcomes.

3. Moses' Initial Hesitation (Exodus 4:10-12): Moses expressed his perceived incompetence when God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, saying, "O Lord, I am not eloquent... I am slow of speech and tongue" (Exodus 4:10). God reassured Moses that He would help him speak and teach him what to say, demonstrating that divine assistance can overcome human inadequacies.

4. Paul's Acknowledgment of Weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10): The Apostle Paul recognized his own weaknesses and inadequacies, yet he found strength in Christ. He wrote, "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness'" (2 Corinthians 12:9). This passage underscores the idea that human incompetence can be transformed through reliance on God's power.

5. The Foolish Builder (Luke 6:46-49): Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish builders illustrates the consequences of incompetence in spiritual matters. The foolish builder, who did not lay a proper foundation, faced ruin when the flood came. This account emphasizes the importance of competence in building one's life on the teachings of Christ.

Related Concepts:

· Diligence: The Bible frequently encourages diligence as a counter to incompetence. Proverbs 12:24 states, "The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor."

· Wisdom: Competence is often associated with wisdom in the Scriptures. James 1:5 advises, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

· Stewardship: The concept of stewardship in the Bible implies a responsibility to manage resources and abilities effectively. Incompetence in stewardship is seen as a failure to honor God with what He has provided.

In summary, while the Bible may not use the term "incompetent" explicitly, it addresses the concept through teachings on wisdom, diligence, and the proper use of one's gifts and abilities. The Scriptures encourage believers to seek God's guidance and strength to overcome personal inadequacies and to fulfill their God-given responsibilities effectively.1. (a.) Not competent; incapable; unable; inadequate; unfit; wanting in adequate strength, power, capacity, means, qualifications, or the like.

2. (a.) Wanting the legal or constitutional qualifications; inadmissible; as, a person professedly wanting in religious belief is an incompetent witness in a court of law or equity; incompetent evidence.

3. (a.) Not lying within one's competency, capacity, or authorized power; not permissible.

Naaman Cured.
... Frequently in civil history you find governments brought face to face with matters
for which they are, with all their resources, incompetent. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/dods/how to become like christ/naaman cured.htm

Training of Ministers and Teachers Neglected.
... In Pennsylvania there were several German schools even before the arrival of Muhlenberg;
as a rule, however, the teachers were incompetent or immoral, or both. ...
/.../bente/american lutheranism/training of ministers and teachers.htm

From the Death of Bishop Asbury to the Close of the General ...
... Had we not, therefore, reason to suspect that our ministry especially were denounced
as incompetent, and that the fear was the country would become deluged ...
/.../chapter 3 from the death.htm

Nuremberg Sept. 15, 1530. To the Honorable and Worthy N. , My ...
... Everyone was his master. He alone was entirely incompetent as people, who
were not good enough to clean his boots, judged his works. ...
/.../luther/an open letter on translating/nuremberg sept 15 1530 to.htm

Theory of Book I.
... The "incompetent" is everywhere and if, sometimes, he finds his way into the pulpit,
those who jeer at the Church on his account have little room for scorn. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jackson/the message and the man/theory of book i.htm

Of Scoffing and Derision.
... of that aversation may be leveled against Pride, yet sure scorn and disdain never
sprung from humility, and therefore, are very incompetent Correctors of the ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section vii of scoffing and.htm

Ahaziah
... They contain the names of a number of incompetent and worthless kings who did nothing
that was worth writing about, and who were singularly alike, so that when ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/ahaziah.htm

Knox in Scotland: Lethington: Mary of Guise: 1555-1556
... Morton was a mere wavering youth; Argyll was very old: Chatelherault was a rival
of the Regent, a competitor for the Crown and quite incompetent. ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter vii knox in scotland .htm

The Dutch Calvinist Colony on the Hudson and the Swedish Lutheran ...
... Twiller. The governor was incompetent and corrupt, and the minister was
faithful and plain-spoken; what could result but conflict? ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter vii the dutch calvinist.htm

The World.
... The world is absolutely incompetent to receive or understand the spirit of Jesus
Christ. Another fact will render this manifest opposition still more palpable. ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter vii the world.htm

Incompetent (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Wanting the legal or constitutional qualifications; inadmissible; as, a
person professedly wanting in religious belief is an incompetent witness in a ...
/i/incompetent.htm - 7k

Unfit (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To make unsuitable or incompetent; to deprive of the strength, skill, or
proper qualities for anything; to disable; to incapacitate; to disqualify; as ...
/u/unfit.htm - 7k

Infamy (8 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) That loss of character, or public disgrace, which a convict incurs, and
by which he is at common law rendered incompetent as a witness. ...
/i/infamy.htm - 9k

Incomprehensible (1 Occurrence)

/i/incomprehensible.htm - 6k

Insufficient (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Wanting in strength, power, ability, capacity, or skill; incompetent; incapable;
unfit; as, a person insufficient to discharge the duties of an office. ...
/i/insufficient.htm - 7k

Incomparable (1 Occurrence)

/i/incomparable.htm - 6k

Challenge (6 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) An exception to a juror or to a member of a court martial, coupled with
a demand that he should be held incompetent to act; the claim of a party that a ...
/c/challenge.htm - 10k

Singing (65 Occurrences)
... of Judea. Nor was the worship of the temple left to the usually incompetent
and inconstant leadership of amateur choristers. The ...
/s/singing.htm - 29k

Singers (41 Occurrences)
... of Judea. Nor was the worship of the temple left to the usually incompetent
and inconstant leadership of amateur choristers. The ...
/s/singers.htm - 23k

Latin (2 Occurrences)
... is to be sought from the majority, why not rather go back to the Greek original,
and correct the blunders which have been made by incompetent translators, made ...
/l/latin.htm - 28k

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Incompetent: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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