Superstition
Summary
Excessive fear of or misplaced reverence for spiritual powers, involving beliefs and practices not sanctioned by true religion.
☩Biblical Examples
Scripture records numerous instances of superstitious beliefs and practices. The Israelites once brought the ark of the covenant into battle, superstitiously believing it would guarantee victory. The Philistines refused to step on the threshold of Dagon's temple after their idol fell repeatedly before the ark. The Syrians believed Israel's God was only powerful in the hills. The disciples thought they saw a ghost when Jesus walked on water, and Herod imagined Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead.
☩New Testament Usage
The Greek word deisidaimonia can mean either 'superstition' or 'religion' depending on context. When Festus spoke to King Agrippa about Paul's case, he referred to the Jews' 'superstition' (or religion), diplomatically avoiding a direct opinion. Paul tactfully addressed the Athenians as 'very religious' (or 'too superstitious'), using their many altars as an entry point for proclaiming the true God.
Related Verses14 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Superstition," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Superstition; Superstitious," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Richard Watson, "Superstition," in A Biblical and Theological Dictionary (John Mason, 1831).