The concept of "withholding" in the Bible often pertains to the act of restraining or holding back something that could be given or shared. This theme is explored in various contexts, including divine action, human behavior, and moral instruction.

Divine Withholding

In Scripture, God sometimes withholds blessings or judgment as part of His sovereign will and purpose. For instance, in the book of Job, God allows Satan to test Job but withholds the power to take his life: "The LORD said to Satan, 'Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger'" (Job 1:12). This divine withholding serves to test and ultimately strengthen Job's faith.

God's withholding can also be an act of mercy. In Psalm 84:11, it is written, "For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly" . Here, the withholding is conditional upon the righteousness of the individual, emphasizing God's desire to bless those who follow His ways.

Human Withholding

Human beings are also depicted as withholding, often in a negative light. Proverbs 11:24-25 illustrates the principle of generosity versus withholding: "One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed" . This passage highlights the paradox that withholding can lead to lack, while generosity leads to abundance.

In the New Testament, the account of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11 serves as a cautionary tale about withholding truth and possessions from God. They sold a piece of property and withheld part of the proceeds while claiming to have given all. Their deceit led to severe consequences, underscoring the importance of honesty and integrity before God.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The Bible often encourages believers to avoid withholding good from others. Proverbs 3:27 advises, "Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is within your power to act" . This instruction calls for proactive kindness and justice, reflecting God's character in human relationships.

In the context of prayer and spiritual gifts, believers are encouraged not to withhold their petitions or their God-given abilities. James 1:5 states, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him" . This verse assures believers that God does not withhold wisdom from those who seek it earnestly.

Conclusion

The theme of withholding in the Bible serves as a reminder of the importance of generosity, integrity, and reliance on God's provision. Whether in divine action or human behavior, withholding is portrayed as a significant moral and spiritual issue, with implications for both personal conduct and community life.4513. mana -- to withhold, hold back
... hold back (1), holds (1), keep (2), keep back (1), kept (1), refuse (2), restrain
(1), restrained (2), restrains (1), withheld (8), withhold (5), withholds (1 ...
/hebrew/4513.htm - 6k

2820. chasak -- to withhold, refrain
... 1), refrain (1), requited (1), reserved (2), restrain (1), restrained (1), restrains
(2), spare (2), spared (1), unrestrained* (1), withheld (3), withholds (2 ...
/hebrew/2820.htm - 6k

Whether God is the Cause of Spiritual Blindness and Hardness of ...
... On the other hand, God, of His own accord, withholds His grace from those in whom
He finds an obstacle: so that the cause of grace being withheld is not only ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether god is the cause.htm

On a Holy Martyr's Day
... such as have done nothing to deserve them nor are worthy of them; but He does this
in mercy, that He may draw such to His love; and He withholds these gifts ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxxi on a holy.htm

Sermon on a Martyr's Day
... such as have done nothing to deserve them nor are worthy of them, but He does this
in mercy, that He may draw such to His love; and He withholds these gifts ...
/.../xxvii sermon on a martyrs.htm

Twenty-First Proposition of Arminius
... of the former mode of action in the more powerful agent (that which moves and impels),
and incline to the latter mode (that which withholds or withdraws). ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 3/twenty-first proposition of arminius.htm

The Importunate Widow.
... plead. As God keeps back the answer, they redouble the cry; as they redouble
the cry, God still withholds the answer. Expressly ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xxviii the importunate widow.htm

A Prospect of Revival
... we could not make full proof of our ministry if we overlooked the rain, even the
former and the latter rain, which God gives in due season, or withholds in his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/a prospect of revival.htm

On Prayer
... (3) Our prayers are not granted sometimes that we may learn to pray with proper
dispositions, and God withholds what He intends finally to give, that we may ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 28 on prayer.htm

The "Demonstrations" of Aphrahat.
... received. And whosoever has, and desires to withhold from him that seeks,
whatsoever he withholds shall be taken away from him. ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/the demonstrations of aphrahat.htm

The Fathers, the Liturgies, and the Mystics
... Another passage in the Apology is referred to in more than one hymn: If Tiber overflows,
and Nile does not; if heaven stands still and withholds its rain, and ...
/.../chapter ii the fathers the.htm

That the Devout Man Should Cleave to God with Naked Understanding ...
... with other changing objects. As a result, the Holy Spirit withholds itself
from thoughts bereft of understanding. So the true lover ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/albert/on cleaving to god/chapter 6 that the devout.htm

Withholds (11 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Withholds (11 Occurrences). ... The man who withholds honour
from the Son withholds honour from the Father who sent Him. (WEY). ...
/w/withholds.htm - 9k

Withhold (32 Occurrences)
... Yahweh will give grace and glory. He withholds no good thing from those who walk
blamelessly. (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/w/withhold.htm - 16k

Holds (67 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Job 12:15 Behold, he withholds the waters, and they dry up. Again, he
sends them out, and they overturn the earth. (Root in WEB RSV NIV). ...
/h/holds.htm - 26k

Overturn (5 Occurrences)
... (Root in BBE YLT). Job 12:15 Behold, he withholds the waters, and they dry
up. Again, he sends them out, and they overturn the earth. ...
/o/overturn.htm - 8k

Lets (31 Occurrences)
... NIV). Job 12:15 Behold, he withholds the waters, and they dry up. Again,
he sends them out, and they overturn the earth. (See NIV). ...
/l/lets.htm - 14k

Gains (19 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Proverbs 11:24 There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There
is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty. (WEB NIV). ...
/g/gains.htm - 11k

Withholding (3 Occurrences)

/w/withholding.htm - 7k

Inundate (1 Occurrence)
... Inundate (1 Occurrence). Job 12:15 Behold, he withholds the waters, and they dry
up. Again, he sends them out, and they overturn the earth. (See NAS). ...
/i/inundate.htm - 6k

Increases (24 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Proverbs 11:24 There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is
one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty. (WEB NAS). ...
/i/increases.htm - 12k

Restrains (8 Occurrences)
... (WEB DBY NAS RSV). Job 12:15 Behold, he withholds the waters, and they dry up. Again,
he sends them out, and they overturn the earth. (See NAS). ...
/r/restrains.htm - 8k

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