Instructs
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The concept of "instructs" in the Bible is deeply rooted in the divine guidance and teaching that God provides to His people. The act of instructing is not merely about imparting knowledge but is closely tied to the moral and spiritual formation of individuals according to God's will.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "instruct" is "yara," which can also mean to teach or to direct. One of the most significant aspects of instruction in the Old Testament is the Law, or Torah, which itself means "instruction." God’s instructions to Israel are encapsulated in the commandments and statutes given through Moses. In Deuteronomy 4:1, Moses exhorts the Israelites, "Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to follow, so that you may live and enter and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you."

The wisdom literature, particularly the Book of Proverbs, emphasizes the importance of instruction. Proverbs 4:13 states, "Hold on to instruction; do not let go. Guard it, for it is your life." Here, instruction is portrayed as a life-giving force, essential for righteous living and wisdom.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Greek word "didasko" is commonly used for instructing or teaching. Jesus Christ is the ultimate instructor, whose teachings form the foundation of Christian doctrine. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commands His disciples, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you."

The apostolic writings continue this theme of instruction. The Apostle Paul frequently instructs the early churches through his epistles. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Paul writes, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work."

Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in instructing believers. Jesus promised the coming of the Holy Spirit as a teacher and guide. In John 14:26, Jesus assures His disciples, "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you."

Parental and Communal Instruction

The Bible also emphasizes the role of parents and the faith community in instruction. In Deuteronomy 6:6-7, parents are commanded to teach God's commandments to their children diligently. "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

The early church is depicted as a community devoted to the apostles' teaching, as seen in Acts 2:42, "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."

Conclusion

The biblical concept of instruction is comprehensive, encompassing divine, parental, and communal teaching. It is integral to the life of faith, guiding believers in righteousness and equipping them for good works.
Strong's Hebrew
3256. yasar -- to discipline, chasten, admonish
... discipline (4), disciplined (4), disciplined me severely (1), disciplines (1),
disciplining (1), gave instruction (1), instructed (2), instructs (2), punish (2 ...
/hebrew/3256.htm - 6k

3384. yarah -- to throw, shoot
... archers (2), archers shot (1), archers* (2), cast (3), cast them down (1), directed
(1), instruct (4), instructed (1), instruction (1), instructs (1), laid (1 ...
/hebrew/3384.htm - 6k

7919a. sakal -- to be prudent
... 1), giving attention (1), had...regard (1), have insight (4), have success (2),
insight (1), instruct (2), instructed (1), instructs (1), intelligence (1 ...
/hebrew/7919a.htm - 6k

Library

Wesley Instructs Parents
... Chapter 14. Justice for Methodists; Methodist Character; Instructions to Parents;
Wesley's Opinion of Mary Queen of Scots Wesley Instructs Parents. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley instructs parents.htm

Then in Due Succession He Instructs them in Physics, Geometry, and ...
... Argument VIII."Then in Due Succession He Instructs Them in Physics, Geometry,
and Astronomy. Nor did he confine his efforts merely ...
/.../argument viii then in due succession.htm

I Will Lay Hold Upon Thee and Bring Thee into My Mother's House ...
... The other thing which she experiences is, that there He instructs her, bestowing
upon her the knowledge of His secret things, which is only given to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/2 i will lay hold.htm

Ephesians vi. 8-May
... "Knowing," saith he, "that whatsoever good or evil [452] thing each one doeth, the
same shall he receive of the Lord," and thus at once instructs them to love ...
/.../homily xxii ephesians vi 8-may.htm

Job.
... (5) Elihu shows how Job accuses God wrongly while vindicating himself and asserts
that suffering instructs us in righteousness and prevents us from sinning. ...
/.../gerberding/the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xii job.htm

Tenth Sunday after Trinity Spiritual Counsel for Church Officers.
... Paul instructs how those in office should employ their gifts for the benefit of
one another and thus further the unity and advancement of the Churches. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/tenth sunday after trinity spiritual.htm

Bit and Bridle: How to Escape Them
... He instructs so effectually as really to build up the mind; hence the psalmist says,
"Through thy precepts I get understanding." Other instructors can awaken ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/bit and bridle how to.htm

In Internal Contemplative Ways a Guide is Necessary, and Why? 2...
... to, than as they are subordinate and conformable to the internal directions and
inspirations of God's Holy Spirit, or as God invites, instructs, and moves us ...
/.../chapter i in internal contemplative.htm

Treatise ix. On the Advantage of Patience.
... the blessed Apostle Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, and sent forth for the calling
and training of the heathen, bears witness and instructs us, saying, "See ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise ix on the advantage.htm

The Holy Spirit's Intercession
... and hence he is "a very present help in time of trouble.". Coming to our
aid in our bewilderment he instructs us. This is one of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/the holy spirits intercession.htm

Thesaurus
Instructs (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Instructs (4 Occurrences). Psalms 16:7 I will bless Yahweh,
who has given me counsel. Yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons. ...
/i/instructs.htm - 7k

Catechist
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who instructs by question and answer, especially
in religions matters. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/c/catechist.htm - 12k

Instruct (34 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To furnish with directions; to advise; to direct; to command; as, the judge
instructs the jury. ... Yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons. ...
/i/instruct.htm - 16k

Teacher (103 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One who teaches or instructs; one whose business
or occupation is to instruct others; an instructor; a tutor. ...
/t/teacher.htm - 61k

Catechumen
... kat'-e-kist, kate-ku'-men (katechizein "to resound," "to teach," "to instruct"):
A catechist is a teacher who instructs his pupils in the elements of his own ...
/c/catechumen.htm - 12k

Instrument (45 Occurrences)

/i/instrument.htm - 22k

Novice (1 Occurrence)
... The apostle instructs Timothy, that if any man desires the office of a bishop, he
must not be "novice," must not be newly converted, or recently brought to the ...
/n/novice.htm - 8k

Instructors (4 Occurrences)

/i/instructors.htm - 7k

Instructor (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who instructs; one who imparts knowledge to another;
a teacher. Multi-Version Concordance Instructor (6 Occurrences). ...
/i/instructor.htm - 8k

Institution (1 Occurrence)
... 8. (n.) That which institutes or instructs; a textbook; a system of elements or
rules; an institute. Multi-Version Concordance Institution (1 Occurrence). ...
/i/institution.htm - 7k

Resources
What does it mean to guard your heart? | GotQuestions.org

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What is the helmet of salvation (Ephesians 6:17)? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Instructs (4 Occurrences)

Psalms 16:7
I will bless Yahweh, who has given me counsel. Yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 25:8
Good and upright is the LORD; therefore doth He instruct sinners in the way.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 16:23
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
(WEB NAS)

Isaiah 28:26
For his God instructs him in right judgment, and teaches him.
(WEB NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Instructs

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Instructors/Teachers
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