Staring, as a concept, is not explicitly detailed in the Bible, but it can be understood through various scriptural references that address the eyes, vision, and the intentions behind one's gaze. In biblical terms, the act of staring can be associated with both positive and negative connotations, depending on the context and the heart's intent.

Positive Connotations:

1. Focus and Attention on God: The Bible encourages believers to fix their eyes on God and His ways. In Psalm 123:2 , it is written, "As the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, until He shows us mercy." This verse illustrates the importance of maintaining a focused and attentive gaze upon the Lord, signifying trust and dependence.

2. Contemplation of God's Works: Staring, in the sense of deeply contemplating God's creation and works, is encouraged. Psalm 19:1 states, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." Here, the act of observing and reflecting on the natural world leads to a greater understanding of God's majesty.

Negative Connotations:

1. Lustful Intentions: The Bible warns against staring with lustful intent. In Matthew 5:28 , Jesus teaches, "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." This passage highlights the moral implications of allowing one's gaze to linger with sinful desires.

2. Covetousness and Envy: Staring with envy or covetousness is also cautioned against. Proverbs 23:5 advises, "When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky." This verse warns of the futility and danger of fixating on material possessions and the desires of the flesh.

3. Judgment and Condemnation: The act of staring in judgment or condemnation is discouraged. In John 8:7 , Jesus addresses those ready to stone a woman caught in adultery, saying, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her." This teaches the importance of self-reflection and humility rather than casting a judgmental gaze upon others.

Spiritual Insight:

The Bible often uses the metaphor of sight to convey spiritual insight and understanding. Ephesians 1:18 expresses a prayer for believers: "I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints." This suggests that spiritual vision is crucial for comprehending God's purposes and promises.

In summary, while the Bible does not directly address the act of staring, it provides guidance on the intentions and attitudes that should accompany one's gaze. Whether focusing on God, avoiding lustful or envious looks, or seeking spiritual insight, the believer is called to align their vision with God's will and righteousness.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Stare.7200. raah -- to see
... 5), seemed (1), seen (153), sees (32), select (1), selected (1), show (24), showed
(15), shown (19), shows (1), sleep* (1), stare (2), staring (1), supervise (1 ...
/hebrew/7200.htm - 7k

There are Certain Moments in Life which Seem Weighted with the ...
... old man in the gilded chair raised itself as if by some interior electric force,
slowly, slowly"higher and higher"the deep-set old eyes staring into the ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxviii there are certain moments.htm

A Supplementary Chapter to the Bible in Spain
... not a real voice from Gibraltar heard by ourselves one moonlight night at Algeziras,
as with our hands in our pockets we stood on the pier, staring across the ...
/.../a supplementary chapter to the.htm

A Few Nights after This, Diamond Woke up Suddenly...
... The father of him sat staring at nothing, neither asleep nor awake, not quite lost
in stupidity either, for through it all he was dimly angry with himself, he ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 18 a few nights.htm

When Diamond Went Home to Breakfast, He Found his Father and ...
... But about the boy?". "What boy?". "That boy, there, staring at you with his
goggle-eyes.". "Have I got goggle-eyes, mother?" asked Diamond, a little dismayed. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 9 when diamond went.htm

My Hunting Song
... as on they go, Leaping and sweeping away in the vale below! Cowards and bunglers,
whose heart or whose eye is slow, Find themselves staring alone. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/my hunting song.htm

Wesley and the Oatmeal Sellers
... to the society last week that I had not seen one congregation ever in Ireland behave
so ill at church as that at Athlone, laughing and staring about during the ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley and the oatmeal sellers.htm

The Flesh and the Spirit
... human beings may go on for years, walking, eating, and drinking; worse than those
who walk in their sleep, and see nothing, though their eyes are staring wide. ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxiii the flesh and.htm

How we May Become Hidden Sons of God, and Attain to the God-Seeing ...
... penetrated by the light of the sun. And this Light is nothing else than a
fathomless staring and seeing. What we are, that we behold ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter ix how we may.htm

Chapter ten
... It was now striking midnight, and Jasper Chase sat in his room staring at the papers
on his desk and going over the last half hour with painful persistence. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter ten.htm

When Diamond Got Round the Corner of the Hay...
... deep pit waiting for her. At least that was what Diamond thought as he
stood for a moment staring at her. But he was quite wrong ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 2 when diamond got.htm

Staring (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Stare. Multi-Version Concordance
Staring (1 Occurrence). Genesis 42:1 Now Jacob saw ...
/s/staring.htm - 6k

Stare (4 Occurrences)
... object. 3. (vi) To be very conspicuous on account of size, prominence, color,
or brilliancy; as, staring windows or colors. 4. (vi ...
/s/stare.htm - 8k

Starry (14 Occurrences)

/s/starry.htm - 10k

Countenance (67 Occurrences)
... ziw). To settle one's countenance stedfastly upon a person (2 Kings
8:11) is synonymous with staring or gazing at a person. Not ...
/c/countenance.htm - 30k

Astrology
... were employed both in Babylon and Egypt, and their use was akin to the more modern
crystal-gazing, the hypnotic state being induced by prolonged staring, as in ...
/a/astrology.htm - 38k

Star-god (1 Occurrence)
Star-god. Star-gazers, Star-god. Staring . Multi-Version Concordance Star-god
(1 Occurrence). ... (See RSV). Star-gazers, Star-god. Staring . Reference Bible
/s/star-god.htm - 6k

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