In the context of biblical theology, instincts can be understood as the innate tendencies or natural inclinations that God has embedded within His creation. These instincts are often seen as part of the divine order, reflecting God's wisdom and purpose in the natural world. While the Bible does not explicitly use the term "instincts," it provides numerous examples and teachings that relate to the concept.

Creation and Instincts

The Bible begins with the account of creation, where God establishes the natural order. In Genesis 1:21-22 , God creates the creatures of the sea and the birds of the air, blessing them to "be fruitful and multiply." This command implies an instinctual drive within these creatures to reproduce and fill the earth. Similarly, in Genesis 1:28 , God commands humanity to "be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it," suggesting an inherent drive towards procreation and stewardship.

Animal Behavior

The Scriptures often reference the behavior of animals to illustrate spiritual truths, acknowledging their instinctual actions as part of God's design. In Proverbs 6:6-8 , the ant is commended for its industrious nature: "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest." Here, the ant's instinctual behavior serves as a model for human diligence and foresight.

In Job 39, God speaks of various animals and their instinctual behaviors, highlighting His sovereignty and wisdom in creation. For example, Job 39:26-27 describes the instinctual flight of the hawk and the eagle: "Does the hawk take flight by your understanding and spread his wings toward the south? Does the eagle soar at your command and make his nest on high?" These verses emphasize that such instincts are divinely ordained.

Human Instincts

While animals are often depicted as acting purely on instinct, humans are portrayed as possessing both instincts and the capacity for moral reasoning. The Bible acknowledges human instincts but calls for their regulation according to God's will. In Galatians 5:16-17 , Paul writes, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh." Here, the "desires of the flesh" can be understood as base instincts that must be controlled by the Spirit.

Instincts and Sin

The Bible also addresses the potential for human instincts to lead to sin when not aligned with God's commandments. James 1:14-15 warns, "But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." This passage highlights the danger of allowing natural desires to develop into sinful actions.

Divine Guidance

Ultimately, the Bible teaches that while instincts are part of God's creation, they must be guided by divine wisdom and the Holy Spirit. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This guidance suggests that human instincts, when submitted to God, can be harmonized with His will and purpose.1682. deborah -- a bee
... bee. Or (shortened) dborah {deb-o-raw'}; from dabar (in the sense of orderly motion);
the bee (from its systematic instincts) -- bee. see HEBREW dabar. ...
/hebrew/1682.htm - 6k

Instincts.
... Book VIII. Chapter VIII"Instincts. When the old man had said this, I Clement
said to him: "Hear, my father: if my brother Niceta ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter viiiinstincts.htm

The Body Cannot Originate Such Phenomena; and in Fact the Action ...
... (3) The body cannot originate such phenomena; and in fact the action of the rational
soul is seen in its over-ruling the instincts of the bodily organs. ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/section 32 -3 the body.htm

Mathew xi. 10
... Take those tastes in us which most resemble the instincts of a brute; and you will
find that in these, as with instinct, common consent becomes a sure rule. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnold/the christian life/lecture xvi mathew xi 10.htm

Upon Human Nature.
... There can be no doubt but that several propensions or instincts, several principles
in the heart of man, carry him to society, and to contribute to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/butler/human nature/sermon ii iii upon human.htm

National Sorrows and National Lessons
... to express, because they cannot render a reason for it; but which is still there,
deeply rooted in their souls; one of those old hereditary instincts by which ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxiv national sorrows and.htm

The Invasion of Scythia.
... fully established throughout his dominions."The Scythians."Ancient account of
them."Pictures of savage life."Their diversity."Social instincts of man ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter viii the invasion of.htm

The Surprise of the Righteous
... Those loving instincts come not from the fleshly fallen nature, or natural man. ... The
great majority of them are the victims of their own low instincts. ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxvii the surprise of.htm

The Torments of Giant Bad Feelings
... Man was created with all the social instincts before the fall. ... Sanctification cleanses
away the nature of sin and leaves all the God-given instincts intact. ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter ten the torments of.htm

The Brevity of Life.
... It is enough for a child if he follows pure and safe instincts, and lives without
reflection a healthy, unperverted life, under wise guidance and good teaching ...
//christianbookshelf.org/percival/sermons at rugby/iii the brevity of life.htm

Sin Charged Upon the Surety
... The instincts, implanted in them by their great Creator, are conducive to their
welfare; and to these instincts they are uniformly faithful. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xx sin charged upon.htm

Instincts (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Instincts (2 Occurrences). 2 Peter 2:12 But these men,
like brute beasts, created (with their natural instincts) (WEY). ...
/i/instincts.htm - 6k

Instituted (7 Occurrences)

/i/instituted.htm - 8k

Monthly (11 Occurrences)
... Theory (3) The Table-Bond Theory (4) The Sacramental Communion Theory (5) The Homage
Theory (6) The Piacular Theory (7) Originating Religious Instincts III. ...
/m/monthly.htm - 93k

Unclean (393 Occurrences)
... for the prohibition doubtless lies in the unsanitary and repulsive nature of the
flesh of these birds, the Divine command endorsing the instincts which were ...
/u/unclean.htm - 39k

Gomer (7 Occurrences)
... This need not mean that at the time of marriage she was thus depraved, but she had
the evil taint in her blood, had inherited immoral instincts. ...
/g/gomer.htm - 11k

Instinct (3 Occurrences)
... WEY NAS). 2 Peter 2:12 But these men, like brute beasts, created (with their
natural instincts) (Root in WEY NAS RSV NIV). Jude 1:10 ...
/i/instinct.htm - 8k

Instinctively (2 Occurrences)

/i/instinctively.htm - 7k

Proper (62 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Belonging to the natural or essential constitution; peculiar; not common;
particular; as, every animal has his proper instincts and appetites. ...
/p/proper.htm - 57k

Conscience (36 Occurrences)
... It is this which imparts to death its solemnity; we instinctively know that we are
going to our account. And such great natural instincts cannot be false. ...
/c/conscience.htm - 37k

Comparative
... places. It is perhaps the most powerful for good or evil of all the instincts
(for it is an instinct) which influence mankind. 2 ...
/c/comparative.htm - 29k

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