Definition and Characteristics:
Overbearing behavior is characterized by an excessive and domineering manner, often marked by arrogance, pride, and a lack of consideration for others. It involves imposing one's will on others, often disregarding their opinions or feelings. In a biblical context, overbearing behavior is generally viewed negatively, as it contradicts the virtues of humility, gentleness, and love that are central to Christian teachings.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 16:18 · "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." This verse highlights the dangers of pride, a key component of overbearing behavior. It serves as a warning that such attitudes can lead to one's downfall.

2. Philippians 2:3-4 · "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Here, the Apostle Paul encourages believers to adopt a humble attitude, contrasting sharply with overbearing tendencies.

3. 1 Peter 5:3 · "Do not lord it over those entrusted to you, but be examples to the flock." This instruction to church leaders emphasizes servant leadership, warning against the temptation to be overbearing in positions of authority.

4. Matthew 20:25-28 · Jesus contrasts the leadership styles of the Gentiles, who "lord it over" others, with the servant leadership He models and expects from His followers. This passage underscores the call to humility and service rather than domination.

Theological Insights:

· Humility vs. Pride: The Bible consistently elevates humility as a virtue and warns against the dangers of pride and arrogance. Overbearing behavior is often rooted in pride, which is considered a sin that distances individuals from God and others.

· Servant Leadership: The concept of servant leadership is central to Christian teachings. Jesus Christ exemplified this through His life and ministry, emphasizing that true greatness comes from serving others rather than exerting power over them.

· Relational Impact: Overbearing behavior can damage relationships, both within the church and in broader society. It can lead to conflict, resentment, and division, which are contrary to the unity and love that Christians are called to embody.

Practical Application:

· Self-Examination: Believers are encouraged to examine their own behavior and attitudes, seeking to identify and repent of any overbearing tendencies. This involves cultivating humility and a servant's heart.

· Community and Accountability: Engaging in a community of faith provides opportunities for accountability and growth. Fellow believers can offer support and correction, helping individuals to overcome overbearing behaviors.

· Prayer and Dependence on God: Prayer is a vital tool for seeking God's help in transforming one's character. Dependence on the Holy Spirit is essential for developing the fruits of the Spirit, such as gentleness and self-control, which counteract overbearing tendencies.

In summary, the Bible presents overbearing behavior as contrary to the character and teachings of Christ. Believers are called to embody humility, love, and service, reflecting the nature of Jesus in their interactions with others.1. (a.) Overpowering; subduing; repressing.

2. (a.) Aggressively haughty; arrogant; domineering; tyrannical; dictatorial; insolent.

Balaam
... All sin is thus the overbearing of conscience, or the sophistication of conscience,
and all sin is the incurring voluntarily of consequences which at the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/balaam.htm

Impressive Phrases
... aptitude, capacity, efficiency, and power. arbitrary, dictatorial, domineering,
and imperious [imperious = arrogantly domineering or overbearing]. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section iv impressive phrases.htm

"Go Forward on Your Knees"
... teacher. He was a man of high degree, equal to the Western MA, and was one
of the proudest and most overbearing of Confucian scholars. ...
/.../goforth/how i know god answers prayer/iii go forward on your.htm

Hebrews ix. 5-Jan
... He even submits to do things fit for slaves, flattering those whom he ought not;
again he is overbearing where he ought not to be, being inconsistent in every ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xv hebrews ix 5-jan.htm

The Mother of Xerxes.
... A king or an emperor could have more palaces, more money, and more wives than other
men; and if he was of an overbearing or ambitious spirit, he could march ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter i the mother of.htm

The Last Interview of Paul with the Elders of Ephesus.
... and possessed of great natural talents, and of miraculous p6wers, he was not elated
with an idea of his superiority, nor haughty and overbearing in his ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxiv the last interview.htm

The Kingdom of all Israel.
... widows to wife, he offered to come to terms with David, but in leaving the place
of meeting, he was treacherously killed by David's overbearing nephew, Joab ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vi the kingdom of.htm

Again the Jews Asked Mary and Joseph a Third Time to Coax Him to ...
... And Joseph and Mary, fearing the people, and the overbearing of the princes, and
the threats of the priests, led Him again to school, knowing that He could ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of pseudo-matthew/chapter 39 again the jews.htm

Now, and Then
... If we forget it, our sympathies are soon dried up, our temper is apt to get churlish,
our opinions may be rather overbearing, and our selfishness very repulsive ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/now and then.htm

Eutyches is Indignant
... They consisted in loud and overbearing reiteration of assertions, supported by flimsy
sophisms which had been over and over again refuted; in boundless ...
/.../chapter xxix eutyches is indignant.htm

Overbearing (7 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Aggressively haughty; arrogant; domineering; tyrannical; dictatorial;
insolent. Multi-Version Concordance Overbearing (7 Occurrences). ...
/o/overbearing.htm - 8k

Imperious (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Commanding; domineering; overbearing; ascendant;
imperial; lordly; majestic. 2. (a.) Haughty; arrogant ...
/i/imperious.htm - 7k

Overweening (3 Occurrences)
... Overweening (3 Occurrences). Proverbs 21:24 A proud and haughty man, scorner is
his name, even he that dealeth in overbearing pride. (See NIV). ...
/o/overweening.htm - 7k

Overbearingly (1 Occurrence)

/o/overbearingly.htm - 6k

Over-anxious (6 Occurrences)
Over-anxious. Overall, Over-anxious. Overbearing . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WEY). Overall, Over-anxious. Overbearing . Reference Bible.
/o/over-anxious.htm - 8k

Insolent (16 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Presumptuous; insulting; haughty, contemptuous or brutal in behavior or
language; overbearing; domineering; grossly rude or disrespectful; saucy; as ...
/i/insolent.htm - 11k

Insolence (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Pride or haughtiness manifested in contemptuous
and overbearing treatment of others; arrogant contempt; brutal impudence. ...
/i/insolence.htm - 10k

Dictation (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The speaking to, or the giving orders to, in an overbearing manner;
authoritative utterance; as, his habit, even with friends, was that of dictation. ...
/d/dictation.htm - 8k

Domineering (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Domineer. 2. (a.) Ruling arrogantly;
overbearing. Multi-Version Concordance Domineering (2 Occurrences). ...
/d/domineering.htm - 7k

Arrogance (30 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The act or habit of arrogating, or making undue claims
in an overbearing manner; that species of pride which consists in ...
/a/arrogance.htm - 15k

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