Definition and Concept
Openness, in a biblical context, refers to the quality of being transparent, honest, and receptive to God's truth and guidance. It involves a willingness to be vulnerable before God and others, to share one's thoughts and feelings, and to be receptive to correction and instruction. Openness is closely related to humility, sincerity, and a teachable spirit.

Biblical References

1. Openness to God
Openness to God is foundational to a believer's relationship with Him. It involves a heart that is willing to listen and respond to God's voice. In Psalm 139:23-24 , David exemplifies this openness by inviting God to search his heart: "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 passage highlights the importance of being open to God's examination and guidance.

2. Openness in Prayer
The Bible encourages believers to approach God with openness in prayer. Philippians 4:6 instructs, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." This verse underscores the importance of bringing all concerns and requests to God openly, trusting in His provision and care.

3. Openness to Others
Openness extends to relationships with others, fostering community and accountability. James 5:16 states, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail." This verse emphasizes the role of openness in confession and mutual support within the body of Christ.

4. Openness to Correction
A key aspect of openness is the willingness to receive correction and instruction. Proverbs 12:1 declares, "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid." This proverb highlights the value of being open to learning and growing through correction.

5. Openness to the Holy Spirit
Believers are called to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 13:2 , the early church demonstrates openness to the Spirit's direction: "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'" This openness to the Spirit's guidance is essential for fulfilling God's purposes.

Theological Implications

Openness is integral to spiritual growth and maturity. It reflects a heart that is responsive to God's will and eager to align with His purposes. Openness fosters a deeper relationship with God and others, enabling believers to live authentically and in community. It requires humility, as one must acknowledge their need for God's wisdom and the input of fellow believers.

Practical Applications

1. Cultivating Openness in Personal Devotion
Believers can cultivate openness by regularly engaging in personal prayer and Bible study, inviting God to speak into their lives and reveal areas needing growth or change.

2. Practicing Openness in Community
Involvement in small groups or accountability partnerships can provide a safe space for sharing struggles and victories, fostering openness and mutual encouragement.

3. Embracing Openness in Worship
Worship provides an opportunity to express openness to God, surrendering one's heart and mind to His presence and allowing the Holy Spirit to work within.

4. Openness in Evangelism
Sharing the gospel requires openness to the leading of the Holy Spirit and a willingness to engage with others honestly and transparently, reflecting Christ's love and truth.

Openness, as a biblical principle, is essential for a vibrant and effective Christian life, enabling believers to grow in their faith and impact the world for Christ.(n.) The quality or state of being open.3954. parresia -- freedom of speech, confidence
... Feminine Transliteration: parresia Phonetic Spelling: (par-rhay-see'-ah) Short
Definition: freedom, confidence Definition: freedom, openness, especially in ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3954.htm - 7k

324. anadechomai -- to undertake, receive
... a " intensifying 1209 , "to welcome/receive") -- properly, receive up to the limit ();
(figuratively) to welcome with gladness (openness), ie interest (open ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/324.htm - 7k

Growing Faith.
... His utter sincerity is shown in the temper of his remarks and questions, and shown
yet more in the openness of Jesus' spirit in talking with him. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/growing faith.htm

Sovereign Grace and Man's Responsibility
... Question them whether they were chosen because of the openness and generosity of
their disposition; they will tell you that that very openness of temper, and ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/sovereign grace and mans responsibility.htm

For the Candid and Thoughtful
... Of course, even this natural openness and sincerity of character is God's gift,
but assuredly these are the people upon whom the heavenly work takes most effect ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/for the candid and thoughtful.htm

Introduction
... body, the team. Our brokenness and openness must be two-way, horizontal
as well as vertical, with one another as with God. We are ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/introduction.htm

Revival in the Home
... to cleanse us from so frequently. This lack of transparency and openness
is ever the result of sin. The first effect of the first ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter 6 revival in the.htm

Death to Self is the Way Out into a Life of Sacrifice.
... Look at the wide-openness with which the seed-sheaths loose all that they have to
yield, and then the patient content with which they fold their hands"the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/trotter/parables of the cross/death to self is the.htm

From his Return to England in 1824, to the Commencement of his ...
... The lovely countenances of such are always refreshing to me, and it is not much
wonder if I have a little more openness for labor, winch was the case in this ...
/.../chapter v from his return.htm

Fourth Conversation
... He discoursed with me very frequently, and with great openness of heart, concerning
his manner of going to GOD, whereof some part is related already. ...
/.../lawrence/the practice of the presence of god/fourth conversation.htm

Essay v. Whose Powers Shed Round Him in the Common Strife...
... Exempt from all such imperfections, say rather in perfect harmony with the excellences
that preclude them, this openness to the influxes of good sense and ...
/.../coleridge/confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/essay v whose powers shed.htm

2 Cor. vi. 11, 12
... Therefore I speak with openness, with my whole mouth, with my whole mind.' For nothing
is wider than was Paul's heart which loved all the faithful with all the ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xiii 2 cor vi.htm

Openness (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The quality or state of being open.
Multi-Version Concordance Openness (2 Occurrences). Acts 4:13 ...
/o/openness.htm - 7k

Opens (30 Occurrences)

/o/opens.htm - 14k

Nathanael (6 Occurrences)
... The same candor and openness distinguished the after-interview of Nathanael with
Jesus, as is evident by his question, "Whence knowest thou me?" (John 1:48). ...
/n/nathanael.htm - 13k

Out (29154 Occurrences)
... privacy, constraint, etc., actual of figurative; hence, not in concealment, constraint,
etc., in, or into, a state of freedom, openness, disclosure, publicity ...
/o/out.htm - 9k

Open-minded (1 Occurrence)
Open-minded. Openly, Open-minded. Openness . Multi-Version Concordance
Open-minded (1 Occurrence). ... (BBE). Openly, Open-minded. Openness . Reference
/o/open-minded.htm - 6k

Wondering (22 Occurrences)
... Acts 4:13 And beholding the openness of Peter and John, and having perceived that
they are men unlettered and plebeian, they were wondering -- they were taking ...
/w/wondering.htm - 12k

Ingenuity (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) Curiousness, or cleverness in design or contrivance; as, the ingenuity of
a plan, or of mechanism. 3. (n.) Openness of heart; ingenuousness. ...
/i/ingenuity.htm - 7k

Freedom (45 Occurrences)
... the will. 4. (n.) Ease; facility; as, he speaks or acts with freedom. 5.
(n.) Frankness; openness; unreservedness. 6. (n.) Improper ...
/f/freedom.htm - 21k

Roundness (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) Openness; plainness; boldness; positiveness; as, the roundness of an
assertion. Multi-Version Concordance Roundness (1 Occurrence). ...
/r/roundness.htm - 7k

Exposure (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) The state of being exposed or laid open or bare; openness to danger;
accessibility to anything that may affect, especially detrimentally; as, exposure ...
/e/exposure.htm - 7k

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