BEREAN.AI ← Ask a Question

Using Secular Examples to Illustrate God's Character Sensitively

The character of God is often illustrated through human examples, drawing parallels between divine attributes and observable human virtues. These illustrations serve to make abstract theological concepts more relatable and understandable, grounding them in experiences familiar to individuals. However, the use of secular examples requires sensitivity, as human virtues, even at their best, are imperfect reflections of God's perfect nature.

One foundational attribute of God, often mirrored in human conduct, is compassion. The Bible frequently exhorts believers to show compassion, as Christ himself set an example of it, weeping over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-42) [1]. This divine compassion is a motive for human empathy, as seen in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:33) and the father's welcome of the prodigal son (Luke 15:20) [1]. Believers are called to "put on... tender feelings of compassions" (Colossians 3:12 LITV) [2]. This human capacity for empathy, while sometimes limited or misdirected, points to a greater, perfect compassion in God, who regards the humble (Psalm 138:6) and hears the cries of the afflicted (Psalm 9:12) [6].

Sincerity is another quality that, when observed in human interactions, can illustrate an aspect of God's character. Christ exemplified sincerity (1 Peter 2:22), and ministers are encouraged to follow this example (Titus 2:7) [3]. Sincerity should characterize a believer's love for God (2 Corinthians 8:8, 24), love for Christ (Ephesians 6:24), and service to God (Joshua 24:14; John 4:23-24) [3]. It is opposed to "fleshly wisdom" (2 Corinthians 1:12) [3]. The apostle Paul speaks of his "glorying" in the testimony of his conscience, which consists of "godly sincerity," meaning sincerity as in the presence of God [14]. While human sincerity can be feigned or imperfect, it reflects a divine truthfulness and authenticity. The gospel itself is characterized by sincerity (1 Peter 2:2), contrasting with instances where it might be preached without it (Philippians 1:16) [3].

Diligence, a virtue often praised in secular contexts, also finds its ultimate source and perfect expression in God. Christ demonstrated diligence, rising early to pray (Mark 1:35) and being about his Father's business (Luke 2:49) [4]. God requires diligence from believers in seeking Him (1 Chronicles 22:19; Hebrews 11:6), obeying Him (Deuteronomy 6:17; 11:13), and striving for spiritual perfection (Philippians 3:13-14) [4]. This human striving, though imperfect, reflects God's unwavering commitment and purposeful action in creation and redemption.

Holy boldness, while distinct from human arrogance, can also be understood through human courage. Christ exemplified holy boldness (John 7:26), and it is a characteristic of saints (Proverbs 28:1) [5]. This boldness is produced by trust in God (Isaiah 50:7) and the fear of God (Acts 4:19; 5:29) [5]. It is not a reckless disregard for consequences but a confident reliance on God's power and faithfulness. Believers are exhorted to express their trust in God with boldness (Hebrews 13:6) and to have boldness in prayer (Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 4:16) [5]. Ministers are also called to exhibit boldness in preaching (Acts 4:31) [5]. This human courage, when rooted in faith, points to God's own unwavering resolve and power.

Humility is another virtue that, when seen in human beings, can offer a glimpse into God's character, particularly as revealed in Christ. Christ is the ultimate example of humility, taking on the form of a servant (Matthew 11:29; John 13:14-15; Philippians 2:5-8) [6]. Humility is necessary for the service of God (Micah 6:8) and is a characteristic of saints (Psalm 34:2) [6]. Those who possess humility are regarded by God (Psalm 138:6; Isaiah 66:2), heard by Him (Psalm 9:12), and enjoy His presence (Isaiah 57:15) [6]. God delivers the humble (Job 22:29) and lifts them up (James 4:10) [6]. While human humility is often a struggle against pride, it reflects the self-giving nature of God, especially as seen in the incarnation.

Liberality, or generosity, is pleasing to God (2 Corinthians 9:7; Hebrews 13:16) and is a characteristic of saints (Psalm 112:9; Isaiah 32:8) [7]. Christ set an example of liberality (2 Corinthians 8:9) [7]. This human virtue, when exercised toward the poor (Deuteronomy 15:11; Isaiah 58:7), strangers (Leviticus 25:35), and even enemies (Proverbs 25:21), reflects God's boundless generosity and provision for all creation [7]. However, human liberality is unprofitable without love (1 Corinthians 13:3), emphasizing that the motive behind the act is crucial [7].

When using secular examples to illustrate God's character, it is vital to acknowledge the distinction between human and divine perfection. All human beings are born sinners (Psalm 58:3; 51:5), and even after regeneration, believers still contend with sin [8, 13]. Sin is understood as a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude, and disobedience [10]. Deliberate sins are committed with an insolent or arrogant attitude, representing rebellion against God [11]. God's anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst but a necessary response to sin [12]. Therefore, while human virtues can point to God, they are always imperfect reflections, tainted by the reality of sin. Augustine, as cited by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, notes that while one who commits sin is "of the devil," the devil does not "beget" anyone; rather, imitation makes one a child of the devil [9]. This highlights that human actions, even virtuous ones, are not inherently divine but can reflect divine principles when aligned with God's will.

The use of human examples to understand God's character is not about equating human virtue with divine perfection, but rather about recognizing echoes of God's attributes in the created order and in the lives of those who strive to follow Him. These examples serve as pedagogical tools, helping to bridge the gap between the infinite and the finite, while always maintaining the ultimate distinction between the Creator and the created.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion With God — Christ set an example of -- Lu 19:41,42. Exhortation to -- Ro 12:15; 1Pe 3:8. Exercise towards The afflicted. -- Job 6:14; Heb 13:3. The chastened. -- Isa 22:4; Jer 9:1. Enemies. -- Ps 35:13. The poor. -- Pr 19:17. The weak. -- 2Co 11:29; Ga 6:2. Saints. -- 1Co 12:25,26. Inseparable from love to God -- 1Jo 3:17; Joh 4:20. Motives to The compassion of God. -- Mt 13:27,33. The sense of our infirmities. -- Heb 5:2. The wicked made to feel, for saints -- Ps 106:46. Promise to those who show -- Pr 19:17; Mt 10:42. Illustrated -- Lu 10:33; 15:20. Exemp”
  2. Colossians “Colossians 3:12 (LITV) — Then put on as the elect of God, holy and beloved, tender feelings of compassions, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering,”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Boldness, Holy — Christ set an example of -- Joh 7:26. Is through faith in Christ -- Eph 3:12; Heb 10:19. A characteristic of saints -- Pr 28:1. Produced by Trust in God. -- Isa 50:7. The fear of God. -- Ac 4:19; 5:29. Faithfulness to God. -- 1Ti 3:13. Express your trust in God with -- Heb 13:6. Have, in prayer -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16. Saints shall have, in judgment -- 1Jo 4:17. Exhortations to -- Jos 1:7; 2Ch 19:11; Jer 1:8; Eze 3:9. Pray for -- Ac 4:29; Eph 6:19,20. Ministers should exhibit, in Faithfulness to their people. -- 2Co 7:4; 10:1. Preaching. -- Ac 4:31; Ph”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Liberality — Pleasing to God -- 2Co 9:7; Heb 13:16. God never forgets -- Heb 6:10. Christ set an example of -- 2Co 8:9. Characteristic of saints -- Ps 112:9; Isa 32:8. Unprofitable, without love -- 1Co 13:3. Should be exercised In the service of God. -- Ex 35:21-29. Toward saints. -- Ro 12:13; Ga 6:10. Toward servants. -- De 15:12-14. Toward the poor. -- De 15:11; Isa 58:7. Toward strangers. -- Le 25:35. Toward enemies. -- Pr 25:21. Toward all men. -- Ga 6:10. In leading to those in want. -- Mt 5:42. In giving alms. -- Lu 12:33. In relieving the destitute. -- Isa 58:”
  8. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
  9. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil--in contrast to "He that doeth righteousness," Jo1 3:7. He is a son of the devil (Jo1 3:10; Joh 8:44). John does not, however, say, "born of the devil." as he does "born of God," for "the devil begets none, nor does he create any; but whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth" [AUGUSTINE, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Homily 4.10]. From the devil there is not generation, but corruption [BENGEL]. sinneth from the beginning--from the time that any beg”
  10. Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
  11. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
  12. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
  13. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:10: Parallel to Jo1 1:8. we have not sinned--referring to the commission of actual sins, even after regeneration and conversion; whereas in Jo1 1:8, "we have no sin," refers to the present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us. The perfect "have . . . sinned" brings down the commission of sins to the present time, not merely sins committed before, but since, conversion. we make him a liar--a gradation; Jo1 1:6, "we lie"; Jo1 1:8, "we deceive ourselves"; worst of al”
  14. 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 1:12: For--reason why he may confidently look for their prayers for him. our rejoicing--Greek, "our glorying." Not that he glories in the testimony of his conscience, as something to boast of; nay, this testimony is itself the thing in which his glorying consists. in simplicity--Most of the oldest manuscripts read, "in holiness." English Version reading is perhaps a gloss from Eph 6:5 [ALFORD]. Some of the oldest manuscripts and versions, however, support it. godly sincerity--literally, "sincerity of God"; that is, sincerity as in the presence o”
Ask Your Own Question
About Terms Privacy Contact

© 2026 BEREAN.AI. All rights reserved.