Screening, in a biblical context, refers to the process of examining or filtering individuals, actions, or beliefs to ensure alignment with God's standards and purposes. This concept, while not explicitly named in Scripture, is evident in various biblical narratives and teachings that emphasize discernment, testing, and separation of the righteous from the unrighteous.

Biblical Examples of Screening

1. Gideon's Army (Judges 7:1-8): One of the most illustrative examples of screening in the Bible is found in the account of Gideon. God instructed Gideon to reduce the number of his troops to ensure that Israel would recognize His hand in their victory over the Midianites. Initially, 32,000 men gathered, but through a process of elimination based on fear and drinking habits, the number was reduced to 300. This screening ensured that only those who were vigilant and faithful remained, highlighting God's desire for quality over quantity in His service.

2. The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43): Jesus' parable of the wheat and the tares illustrates the concept of screening at the end of the age. The wheat represents the righteous, and the tares symbolize the wicked. Both grow together until the harvest, when the reapers (angels) will separate the wheat from the tares. This parable underscores the future screening process where God will distinguish between those who belong to Him and those who do not.

3. Testing of Faith (1 Peter 1:6-7): The Apostle Peter speaks of trials as a means of testing and refining faith, akin to gold being purified by fire. "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials, so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ" . This screening through trials serves to reveal genuine faith and strengthen believers.

4. Church Discipline (1 Corinthians 5:1-13): The Apostle Paul addresses the need for moral and doctrinal purity within the church. He instructs the Corinthian church to expel a member engaged in egregious sin, emphasizing the importance of maintaining holiness within the body of Christ. This act of screening is necessary to preserve the integrity and witness of the church.

Principles of Screening

1. Discernment: Believers are called to exercise discernment in all areas of life. "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil" (Hebrews 5:14). Discernment involves evaluating teachings, behaviors, and influences against the truth of Scripture.

2. Testing Spirits: The Apostle John warns believers to test the spirits to see whether they are from God. "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). This screening process protects the church from false teachings and deception.

3. Purity and Holiness: Scripture consistently calls for the separation of believers from sin and impurity. "Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you" (2 Corinthians 6:17). Screening involves a commitment to holiness and a rejection of worldly influences.

4. Accountability: Believers are encouraged to hold one another accountable, fostering an environment where spiritual growth and maturity can flourish. "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24). This mutual accountability serves as a form of screening to encourage righteous living.

Screening, as seen through these biblical principles and examples, is an essential aspect of the Christian life, ensuring that individuals and communities remain faithful to God's calling and purpose.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Screen.4539. masak -- a covering, screen
... Word Origin from sakak Definition a covering, screen NASB Word Usage covering
(2), defense (1), screen (16), screening (1), veil (5). ...
/hebrew/4539.htm - 6k

Supposing Him to be the Gardener
... Screening myself from the heat of the sun under the overhanging boughs of an olive,
I cast my eyes upon palms and bananas, roses and camellias, oranges and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 29 1883/supposing him to be the.htm

Footnotes
... of His disciples, in a seclusion which, perhaps, could nowhere else be found so
near the stir of a mighty city, the long ridge of Olivet screening those hills ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/footnotes.htm

'Have Ye Not? Hast Thou Not?'
... Nor are the two implied thoughts that 'the heavens' are a veil screening Him from
men even while they tell of Him to men, and that they are His lofty dwelling ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/have ye not hast thou.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... of Seville; and all the arts of villainy which they are so accustomed to practise
will of course be used against me for the purpose of screening the ruffian ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 65.htm

By the Wayside
... Three sides of the shelter were protected thus, and the fourth side opened
down-hill, with a low fire screening them from the mountain wind. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter v by the wayside.htm

Phrases for Talkers
... It was a profound conviction Greatly conceived and expressed Blinded by its brightness
I have cudgelled my memory Exposed to imminent peril Screening a breach ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/talks on talking/phrases for talkers.htm

Judas.
... occupied as treasurer and purveyor of the company, or into which he thrust himself
this evening with the purpose of more effectually screening himself from ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/vii judas.htm

For Wisdom.
... But should Thine and our enemy Begin to rage revengefully Against the good
Thou'rt meaning, My comfort is, Thou canst avert His wrath, me ever screening. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/for wisdom.htm

The Fig-Tree.
... hypocrites"wearing the garb of religion"the trappings and dress of outward devotion
to conceal their inward pollution; like the ivy, screening from view by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/xix the fig-tree.htm

The Era of Persecution
... Living flesh quivering in a wild beast's jaw, or a poor shrinking girl, screening
herself by a modest gesture, then tossed by a bull and cast in lifeless ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/iii the era of persecution.htm

Screening (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Screen. Multi-Version
Concordance Screening (3 Occurrences). Exodus 25:20 And the ...
/s/screening.htm - 7k

Overshadowing (5 Occurrences)
... Exodus 25:20 And the cherubim shall spread out their wings on high, screening the
ark-cover with their wings, with their faces one to another; toward the ark ...
/o/overshadowing.htm - 8k

Faced (32 Occurrences)
... Exodus 37:9 And the cherubim spread out their wings on high, screening the ark-cover
with their wings, with their faces one to another; toward the ark-cover ...
/f/faced.htm - 15k

Scribbled (1 Occurrence)

/s/scribbled.htm - 6k

Screened (2 Occurrences)

/s/screened.htm - 7k

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