The concept of being "stricter" in a biblical context often relates to the adherence to God's commandments, the application of judgment, and the expectations placed upon leaders and teachers within the Christian faith. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that emphasize the importance of maintaining a strict adherence to God's laws and the consequences of failing to do so.

Adherence to God's Commandments

The Bible frequently underscores the necessity of following God's commandments with precision and dedication. In Deuteronomy 28:1 , it is written, "If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth." This passage highlights the blessings associated with strict obedience to God's laws.

Judgment and Accountability

The concept of stricter judgment is particularly evident in the New Testament, where greater accountability is placed upon those who assume positions of leadership and teaching. James 3:1 warns, "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." This verse indicates that those who guide others in the faith are held to a higher standard due to their influence and responsibility.

Pharisees and Legalism

The Gospels provide examples of the Pharisees, who were known for their strict interpretation and enforcement of the Mosaic Law. However, Jesus often criticized them for their legalism and hypocrisy. In Matthew 23:23-24 , Jesus rebukes them, 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. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former." Here, Jesus emphasizes that while strict adherence to the law is important, it should not overshadow the core principles of justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

Moral and Ethical Standards

The Bible calls believers to uphold high moral and ethical standards, often requiring a stricter lifestyle compared to secular norms. In 1 Peter 1:15-16 , it is written, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" This call to holiness demands a strict commitment to living a life that reflects God's character.

Discipline and Correction

The concept of stricter discipline is also present in the context of church correction and personal growth. Hebrews 12:10-11 states, "Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a peaceful harvest of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." This passage illustrates that stricter discipline, though challenging, is ultimately beneficial for spiritual growth and righteousness.

In summary, the Bible presents the idea of being stricter as a multifaceted concept that encompasses obedience to God's commandments, accountability for leaders, moral integrity, and the necessity of discipline. These elements are integral to living a life that honors God and reflects His holiness.3173. megas -- great
... 2), larger ones (1), long time (1), loud (42), mighty (1), more important (2), older
(1), one greater (1), perfectly (2), severe (2), stricter (1), strong (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3173.htm - 8k

On Religion in a Stricter Sense
... DISPUTATION XI ON RELIGION IN A STRICTER SENSE. We have treated ... New Testament.
We must now treat upon it in a stricter signification. I ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xi on religion in.htm

Whether it is Lawful to Pass from one Religious Order to Another?
... order to another? Objection 1: It seems unlawful to pass from one religious
order to another, even a stricter one. For the Apostle ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 28.htm

There is Also an Astonishing Action of his in Relation to Melania ...
... But afterwards, when he found that some of his deeds were disapproved by this lady
through the stricter discipline of her life, he erased her name from all the ...
/.../26 there is also an.htm

Question on the Religious State
... 3. Lastly, the stricter an Order the more perfect it seems to be. But there
is nothing to preclude active Orders from being stricter ...
/.../on prayer and the contemplative life/question clxxxvi on the religious.htm

Whether a Religious Order that is Devoted to the Contemplative ...
... Objection 3: Further, seemingly the stricter a religious order is, the
more excellent it is. But there is no reason why certain ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a religious order that.htm

Summary of the Subject.
... But notwithstanding this deviation from the stricter method of the Greeks, learned
men like Jerome adhered to the Palestinian canon, and even styled the ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter ix summary of the.htm

The Temple of Serapis (Ad 391)
... These laws were by degrees made stricter and stricter, until, in the reign of
Theodosius, it was forbidden to do any act of heathen worship. ...
/.../chapter xvi the temple of.htm

Letter xxii (Circa AD 1129) to Simon, Abbot of S. Nicholas
... desired success. What line of conduct ought to be followed towards his inferiors
by a prelate who is desirous of stricter discipline. 1 ...
/.../some letters of saint bernard abbot of clairvaux/letter xxii circa a d 1129.htm

Whether one Party after the Marriage Has Been Consummated Can ...
... Now it is lawful to pass from a less strict religious order to one that
is stricter. Therefore it is also allowable to pass from ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether one party after the.htm

The Heresy of the Ebionites.
... Gospel of Matthew only, and still cling to the observance of the Jewish law; but
the distinction which Justin draws between the milder and stricter class is no ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxvii the heresy of the.htm

Stricter (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Stricter (1 Occurrence). James 3:1 Let not many of you
be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment. ...
/s/stricter.htm - 6k

Abstinence (2 Occurrences)
... In others of a stricter sort, the fast lasted from one sunset till the stars appeared
after the next, and, not only food and drink, but washing, anointing, and ...
/a/abstinence.htm - 25k

Adultery (49 Occurrences)
... While the school of Hillel legally at least allowed any trivial reason as a ground
for divorce, the stricter interpretation which limited it to adultery alone ...
/a/adultery.htm - 32k

Strict (7 Occurrences)

/s/strict.htm - 9k

Army (401 Occurrences)
... Solomon, however, disregarding the scruples of the stricter Israelites, and the
ordinances of the ancient law (Deuteronomy 17:16), added horses and chariots on ...
/a/army.htm - 76k

Executioner (1 Occurrence)
... John the Baptist, but the Revised Version (British and American) and the American
Standard Revised Version have instead, according to the stricter meaning of ...
/e/executioner.htm - 9k

Execute (83 Occurrences)
... John the Baptist, but the Revised Version (British and American) and the American
Standard Revised Version have instead, according to the stricter meaning of ...
/e/execute.htm - 34k

Phoenicians
... But in the stricter sense, it did not extend beyond Gabala (modern Jebleh)
on the North, and Mt. Carmel on the South, or some 150 miles. ...
/p/phoenicians.htm - 38k

Plea (35 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) An earnest request or appeal; an answer to a criminal charge; that which
is alleged by a party in support of his cause; in a stricter sense, an ...
/p/plea.htm - 16k

Phoenicia (6 Occurrences)
... But in the stricter sense, it did not extend beyond Gabala (modern Jebleh)
on the North, and Mt. Carmel on the South, or some 150 miles. ...
/p/phoenicia.htm - 40k

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