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Learning from Positive and Negative Examples in Scripture

The Bible presents numerous examples, both positive and negative, to instruct believers in righteousness and guide their conduct [1]. This approach to learning is rooted in the understanding that "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness" [1]. The divine inspiration of Scripture means that it is "God-breathed," affirming God's full responsibility for its content, even while acknowledging the active involvement of human authors [10].

The utility of Scripture for instruction is a recurring theme. Proverbs 9:9 states, "Instruct a wise man, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning" [2]. This highlights the ongoing process of growth and understanding that comes from engaging with divine wisdom. The ability to learn from experience and observation is considered a divine gift [11].

Positive examples in Scripture often showcase virtues and actions that believers are encouraged to emulate. Jesus Christ himself serves as the ultimate positive example in various aspects of life. For instance, he demonstrated self-denial, a crucial test of devotion to Christ, by resisting temptation and prioritizing God's will [3]. His life also exemplifies resignation and submission to God's will, even in the face of suffering and death [6]. Christ's forbearance in the face of injustice is presented as a model for believers to avoid revenge [5]. Similarly, the early Christian community's faithfulness during persecution is held up as a positive example for later generations facing similar trials [12].

Conversely, negative examples in Scripture serve as warnings and illustrations of behaviors to avoid. The concept of "offence" or stumbling blocks is frequently addressed, with the Bible warning against causing others to stumble and detailing instances where individuals took offense at Christ or the message of the Gospel [4]. The wicked are often portrayed as lacking resignation to God's will, contrasting sharply with the righteous [6].

The Psalms, in particular, offer a framework for understanding good and evil, presenting "life and death, the blessing and the curse" through the contrasting characters and conditions of the godly and the wicked [8]. This allows individuals to discern their own spiritual state and anticipate their ultimate destiny [8]. The word of God, which includes these examples, is described as a source of profound pleasure and delight for those who have a "spiritual taste" for divine things, finding it "sweeter than honey" [9]. This spiritual taste enables an inward savor and relish of divine truths [9].

The Scriptures, referred to as "testimonies" that "testify of Christ and of his grace," are considered a valuable heritage, passed down through generations [13]. They are seen as a "goodly heritage," superior to worldly riches, and are meant to guide believers in living a life that reflects godly fear, which is characterized by a hatred of evil, wisdom, and reverence for God's holiness and greatness [7, 13]. The instruction derived from both positive and negative examples in the biblical narrative is thus integral to the formation of a righteous character.

Sources

  1. 2 Timothy “2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB) — All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;”
  2. Proverbs “Instruct a wise man, and he will be still wiser. Teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. -- Proverbs 9:9”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Offence — Occasions of, must arrive -- Mt 18:7. Occasions of, forbidden -- 1Co 10:32; 2Co 6:3. Persecution, a cause of, to mere professors -- Mt 13:21; 24:10; 26:31. The wicked take, at The low station of Christ. -- Isa 53:1-3; Mt 13:54-57. Christ, as the corner-stone. -- Isa 8:14; Ro 9:33; 1Pe 2:8. Christ, as the bread of life. -- Joh 6:58-61. Christ crucified. -- 1Co 1:23; Ga 5:11. The righteousness of faith. -- Ro 9:32. The necessity of inward purity. -- Mt 15:11,12. Blessedness of not taking, at Christ -- Mt 11:6. Saints warned against taking -- Joh 16:1. Saints ”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Revenge — Forbidden by our Lord -- Le 19:18; Pr 24:17,29; Mt 5:39-41; Ro 12:17,19; 1Th 5:15; 1Pe 3:9. Christ an example of forbearing -- Isa 53:7; 1Pe 2:23. Rebuked by Christ -- Lu 9:54,55. Inconsistent with Christian spirit -- Lu 9:55. Proceeds from a spiteful heart -- Eze 25:15. Instead of taking, we should Trust in God. -- Pr 20:22; Ro 12:16. Exhibit love. -- Le 19:18; Lu 6:35. Give place to wrath. -- Ro 12:19. Exercise forbearance. -- Mt 5:38-41. Bless. -- Ro 12:14. Overcome others by kindness. -- Pr 25:21,22; Ro 12:20. Keep others from taking -- 1Sa 24:10; 25:24”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fear, Godly — God is the object of -- Isa 8:13. God is the author of -- Jer 32:39,40. Searching the Scriptures gives the understanding of -- Pr 2:3-5. Described as Hatred of evil. -- Pr 8:13. Wisdom. -- Job 28:28; Ps 111:10. A treasure to saints. -- Pr 15:16; Isa 33:6. A fountain of life. -- Pr 14:27. Sanctifying. -- Ps 19:9. Filial and reverential. -- Heb 12:9,28. Commanded -- De 13:4; Ps 22:23; Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Motives to The holiness of God. -- Re 15:4. The greatness of God. -- De 10:12,17. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The forgiveness of God. -- Ps 130:4.”
  8. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 1 (introduction): This is a psalm of instruction concerning good and evil, setting before us life and death, the blessing and the curse, that we may take the right way which leads to happiness and avoid that which will certainly end in our misery and ruin. The different character and condition of godly people and wicked people, those that serve God and those that serve him not, is here plainly stated in a few words; so that every man, if he will be faithful to himself, may here see his own face and then read his own doom. That division of the children of men into saints”
  9. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:103: Here is, 1. The wonderful pleasure and delight which David took in the word of God; it was sweet to his taste, sweeter than honey. There is such a thing as a spiritual taste, an inward savour and relish of divine things, such an evidence of them to ourselves, by experience, as we cannot give to others. We have heard him ourselves, Joh 4:42. To this scripture-taste the word of God is sweet, very sweet, sweeter than any of the gratifications of sense, even those that are most delicious. David speaks as if he wanted words to express the satisfaction he took in the”
  10. 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:16: 3:16-17 These verses elaborate on 3:15 by explaining Scripture’s effectiveness, its source, and the ways that it gives wisdom to live out our salvation. Paul was speaking of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), but his statement can now apply to all Scripture, including the New Testament (see, e.g., 2 Pet 3:15-16). 3:16 The fact that Scripture is inspired by God (literally God-breathed, breathed out by God’s own speech; see also Heb 4:12-13; 2 Pet 1:20-21) does not negate the active involvement of the human authors. But it does affirm that God is fully re”
  11. Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 20:12: 20:12 The ability to observe and learn from experience is a divine gift.”
  12. Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 10:32: 10:32-39 The harsh warning (10:26-31) is followed by a word of encouragement. The hearers’ own faithfulness in the past is used as a positive example for them to follow now. 10:32 when you first learned about Christ: The author reminds his readers of those early days, shortly after the community embraced Christianity, when their faith was tested. At that time, they remained faithful in the face of terrible suffering. Suffering is normal for a person who identifies with Christ and his community (13:12-13; Acts 9:16; Rom 8:17; 1 Cor 4:12-13; Phil 1:29; Jas 1:2-4).”
  13. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:107: Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever,.... The Scriptures, which testify of Christ and of his grace, and of the mind and will of God, are a portion of themselves; and a goodly heritage they are, better than thousands of gold and silver, preferable to all worldly inheritances; as they have been to many, who have forsaken all for Christ and his Gospel. These, like an inheritance, have been transmitted from father to son, from one age of the church to another, in successive generations; nor shall they depart from her, nor from her seed and seed's seed, ”
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