The term "scrupulous" generally refers to a person who is diligent, thorough, and extremely attentive to details, especially in matters of morality or ethics. In a biblical context, being scrupulous can be seen as a virtue, reflecting a deep commitment to living according to God's commandments and maintaining a clear conscience before Him.

Biblical References and Context

1. Conscience and Moral Integrity: The Bible frequently addresses the importance of maintaining a clear conscience and living with integrity. In Acts 24:16, the Apostle Paul states, "In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man." This verse highlights the importance of being scrupulous in one's actions and thoughts, ensuring they align with God's will.

2. Attention to God's Law: The psalmist expresses a scrupulous attitude towards God's law in Psalm 119:4-5: "You have ordained Your precepts, that we should keep them diligently. Oh, that my ways were steadfast in keeping Your statutes!" This passage underscores the importance of being meticulous in observing God's commandments, reflecting a heart that seeks to honor God in every aspect of life.

3. Faithfulness in Small Matters: Jesus emphasizes the significance of being faithful in small matters as a reflection of one's character. In Luke 16:10, He teaches, "Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." This principle encourages believers to be scrupulous in all areas, recognizing that faithfulness in minor details is indicative of one's overall faithfulness to God.

4. Avoiding Legalism: While being scrupulous is commendable, the Bible also warns against falling into legalism, where the focus shifts from a heart devoted to God to mere rule-following. In Matthew 23:23, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees, saying, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness." This admonition serves as a reminder that true scrupulousness involves a balance of adhering to God's commands while prioritizing the weightier matters of the heart.

5. The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding believers to be scrupulous in their walk with God. In John 16:13, Jesus promises, "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth." The Spirit helps believers discern right from wrong, empowering them to live with integrity and attentiveness to God's will.

Practical Application

Being scrupulous involves a commitment to living a life that is pleasing to God, characterized by careful attention to His Word and a desire to maintain a pure heart. This includes:

· Regularly examining one's actions and motives in light of Scripture.
· Seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit in making ethical decisions.
· Striving for consistency in both public and private life.
· Balancing adherence to God's commands with the pursuit of justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

In summary, a scrupulous believer is one who diligently seeks to honor God in all aspects of life, guided by a conscience informed by Scripture and the Holy Spirit.1. (a.) Careful; conscientious; moral; as, a scrupulous performance of duties.

2. (a.) Full of scruples; inclined to scruple; nicely doubtful; hesitating to determine or to act, from a fear of offending or of doing wrong.

3. (a.) Given to making objections; captious.

4. (a.) Liable to be doubted; doubtful; nice.

Of the Most Bitter Kind of Scrupulosity Touching Confession. ...
... 12, 13. The great harm proceeding from scrupulous examinations and confessions. ... 14,
15. A form of examination of conscience proper for many scrupulous souls. ...
/.../chapter xi of the most.htm

Petty Dishonesty.
... cheating. I. Abraham was a very scrupulous man. In all his dealings he was
perfectly just and honourable. ... no! he was far too scrupulous. ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/xlvi petty dishonesty.htm

Leviticus
... subordinate part played by ethical considerations in this priestly manual, it is
only fair to remember that the hymn-book used by these scrupulous ministers of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/leviticus.htm

The Worthy Communicant
... religion. He was really a religious man in his own way, scrupulous, and
over-scrupulous to perform every duty to the letter. He ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xxxvii the worthy communicant.htm

The Limits of Liberty
... The two opinions on the point represented two tendencies of mind, which
always exist; one more scrupulous, and one more liberal. ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the limits of liberty.htm

Of Scrupulosities About External Duties, as the Office, Fasting...
... the whole, is not valuable; 4. that none are obliged to repetition for want of
attention, or for not exact pronunciation, &c.; 5. that scrupulous souls being ...
/.../chapter x of scrupulosities about.htm

The Historical Situation
... The Pharisees constituted a fraternity devoted to the scrupulous observance
of law and tradition in all the concerns of daily life. ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/i the historical situation.htm

Christ Before Pilate.
... Though the rulers could trample the law of justice to the earth, they were
scrupulous in observing the ceremonial law. (John 18:28). 28. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/christ before pilate.htm

Titus i. 14-Dec
... But if they who are scrupulous about meats are not sound, but are sick and weak;
for, "Them that are weak," he says, "receive ye, but not to doubtful ...
/.../homily iii titus i 14-dec.htm

On Confession
... General confession is hurtful to scrupulous persons. Scrupulous persons
are those who think almost everything they do is a sin. ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 19 on confession.htm

Scrupulous (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Careful; conscientious; moral; as, a scrupulous
performance of duties. ... Multi-Version Concordance Scrupulous (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/scrupulous.htm - 7k

Superstitious (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Evincing superstition; over scrupulous and rigid in religious observances;
addicted to superstition; full of idle fancies and scruples in regard to ...
/s/superstitious.htm - 8k

Strait (14 Occurrences)
... 4. (superl.) Close; intimate; near; familiar. 5. (superl.) Strict; scrupulous;
rigorous. 6. (superl.) Difficult; distressful; straited. ...
/s/strait.htm - 13k

Rome (12 Occurrences)
... The stream of gold which found its way from the provinces to Rome was a bait to
attract the cupidity of the less scrupulous senators, and led to the growth of ...
/r/rome.htm - 43k

Nice (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (superl.) of trifling moment; unimportant; trivial. 3. (superl.) Over scrupulous
or exacting; hard to please or satisfy; fastidious in small matters. ...
/n/nice.htm - 7k

Unscrupulous (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not scrupulous; unprincipled. Multi-Version
Concordance Unscrupulous (2 Occurrences). Acts 13:10 said ...
/u/unscrupulous.htm - 7k

Intensely (9 Occurrences)
... loved? Be that as it may: I was not a burden to you. But being by no means
scrupulous, I entrapped you, they say! (WEY). Galatians ...
/i/intensely.htm - 8k

Entrapped (2 Occurrences)
... be loved? Be that as it may: I was not a burden to you. But being by no means
scrupulous, I entrapped you, they say! (WEY). 2 Timothy ...
/e/entrapped.htm - 7k

Dainty (7 Occurrences)
... 7. (superl.) Requiring dainties. Hence: Overnice; hard to please; fastidious; squeamish;
scrupulous; ceremonious. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/d/dainty.htm - 10k

Delicate (32 Occurrences)
... 8. (a.) Refined; gentle; scrupulous not to trespass or offend; considerate; -- said
of manners, conduct, or feelings; as, delicate behavior; delicate attentions ...
/d/delicate.htm - 19k

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