Definition and Context
The term "ridding" in a biblical context generally refers to the act of removing, eliminating, or purging something undesirable or sinful. This concept is often associated with the purification of individuals, communities, or nations from sin, idolatry, or any form of impurity that separates them from God. The Bible frequently addresses the need for ridding oneself of sin and evil influences to maintain a holy and righteous life before God.

Old Testament References
In the Old Testament, the concept of ridding is often linked to the Israelites' call to separate themselves from pagan practices and idolatry. For instance, in the book of Leviticus, God commands the Israelites to rid themselves of any idols and to remain holy: "You must not make for yourselves idols, nor set up a carved image or a sacred pillar, nor place a sculpted stone in your land to bow down to it. For I am the LORD your God" (Leviticus 26:1).

The narrative of King Josiah in 2 Kings 23 provides a vivid example of ridding the land of idolatry. Josiah, upon discovering the Book of the Law, initiates a series of reforms to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem from idolatrous practices: "Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests of the second order, and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and all the host of heaven. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron Valley and carried their ashes to Bethel" (2 Kings 23:4).

New Testament References
In the New Testament, the concept of ridding is often associated with personal sanctification and the rejection of sinful behaviors. The Apostle Paul frequently exhorts believers to rid themselves of sinful practices as part of their new life in Christ. In Ephesians 4:22-24, Paul writes, "You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness" .

Similarly, in Colossians 3:8, Paul instructs believers to rid themselves of negative behaviors: "But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth" . This call to rid oneself of sin is part of the broader Christian doctrine of sanctification, where believers are encouraged to grow in holiness and Christlikeness.

Theological Implications
The act of ridding oneself of sin and impurity is central to the biblical narrative of redemption and sanctification. It underscores the necessity of repentance and the transformative power of God's grace. The process of ridding is not merely a human effort but is empowered by the Holy Spirit, who enables believers to overcome sin and live in accordance with God's will.

The biblical call to rid oneself of sin also highlights the seriousness with which God views sin and its destructive impact on the relationship between humanity and the divine. It serves as a reminder of the holiness of God and the call for His people to be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:16).

Practical Application
For believers today, the concept of ridding involves a continual process of self-examination, repentance, and reliance on God's grace to overcome sin. It calls for an active engagement in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, reading of Scripture, and participation in the life of the church community. By doing so, believers can grow in their faith and reflect the character of Christ in their daily lives.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Rid.

I 1888
... I assure you I have found that this is the only means of ridding oneself of the
devil. When he sees that he is losing his time he leaves us in peace. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/therese/story of a soul/i 1888.htm

Matt. I. 1
... into Heaven itself, ought to show forth a greater self-denial; [74] not washing
our garments, but wiping clean the robe of our soul, and ridding ourselves of ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily ii matt i 1.htm

The Indifference of Criticism Rejected.
... Indeed, the healthfulness of our spiritual life depends upon our ridding ourselves
of the latter, and, at the same time, yielding in lowliness and singleness ...
/.../section 1 the indifference of.htm

Of the Heresy of the Messaliani.
... come the Holy Ghost giving sensible and visible signs of His presence, at once freeing
the body from the impulse of the passions and wholly ridding the soul of ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter x of the heresy of.htm

The Same Archebius Paid a Debt of his Mother's by the Labour of ...
... he paid to the creditors the due measure of the debt secured by his toil and labour,
and relieved his mother from all annoyance and anxiety; ridding her of the ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxxviii the same archebius.htm

That Christians have no Authority for Committing Suicide in any ...
... precept or permission to take away our own life, whether for the sake of entering
on the enjoyment of immortality, or of shunning, or ridding ourselves of ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 20 that christians have no.htm

The Peroration
... vanish; so that if we dally, the auditor finding himself overcharged with mournful
thoughts, tries to resume his tranquility, and thus ridding himself of the ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/the peroration.htm

A New Year's Benediction
... Ye cannot be perfected except by the fire. There is no way of ridding you of your
dross and your tin but by the names of the furnace of affliction. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/a new years benediction.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1820 to the Beginning ...
... [7]. The custom of ridding themselves of the encumbrance of the aged and infirm,
by putting an end to their life, is continued among these heathen with all its ...
/.../chapter 6 from the close.htm

How one Even of those who are Without May be Brought to Believe ...
... raise up the dead to incorruption"so now too he who is in the tomb, at the voice
of command, shakes off death as if it were a sleep, and ridding himself from ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/xxv how one even of.htm

Ridding (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Rid. Multi-Version Concordance
Ridding (1 Occurrence). James 1:21 Ridding yourselves ...
/r/ridding.htm - 6k

Ridden (5 Occurrences)

/r/ridden.htm - 8k

Riddle (11 Occurrences)

/r/riddle.htm - 11k

Vile (59 Occurrences)
... (DBY). James 1:21 Ridding yourselves, therefore, of all that is vile and of the
evil influences which prevail around you, welcome in a humble spirit the Message ...
/v/vile.htm - 26k

Influences (3 Occurrences)
... James 1:21 Ridding yourselves, therefore, of all that is vile and of the evil
influences which prevail around you, welcome in a humble spirit the Message ...
/i/influences.htm - 8k

Riddance (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of ridding or freeing; deliverance; a
cleaning up or out. 2. (n.) The state of being rid or free; freedom; escape. ...
/r/riddance.htm - 8k

Prevail (50 Occurrences)
... James 1:21 Ridding yourselves, therefore, of all that is vile and of the evil
influences which prevail around you, welcome in a humble spirit the Message ...
/p/prevail.htm - 22k

Prevalent (3 Occurrences)
... James 1:21 Ridding yourselves, therefore, of all that is vile and of the evil
influences which prevail around you, welcome in a humble spirit the Message ...
/p/prevalent.htm - 7k

Taxing (3 Occurrences)
... taxation is specifically mentioned, together with wealth and marriage into the royal
family, as one element in the reward to be obtained for ridding Israel of ...
/t/taxing.htm - 35k

Tax (43 Occurrences)
... taxation is specifically mentioned, together with wealth and marriage into the royal
family, as one element in the reward to be obtained for ridding Israel of ...
/t/tax.htm - 47k

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