Opposites In the Bible
—Bible Things that are Poles Apart
The Bible often presents us with a choice of two contrasting things that are poles apart. Each lesson in this series takes one such pair of opposites as its topic. Here's the list. Tap any title next to an arrow in the list below.
➤ Good and Evil —the Battle of Right Against Wrong. The main “opposites” in the Bible of course include Good and Evil. The age old struggle of good against evil still rages. But these are not equal opposites, and good will be victorious.
➤ Truth and Error —Truth’s Source, Scope, and Substance. The Bible often mentions truth as opposed to error. Truth and falsehood are among the most basic of all Bible opposites. Read this lesson on truth.
➤ Light and Darkness —In Which Will You Walk? The word “light” in the Bible often has the spiritual sense of that which brings enlightenment to those in spiritual darkness. Thus Jesus and his message are called “light”. Read this lesson to see how essential is this light to your life!
➤ Wisdom and Foolishness —What Makes One Wise? The Bible compares the wise with fools. Wisdom and foolishness are among the most important Bible Opposities. We ask the question: what makes one wise?
➤ Knowledge and Ignorance —Learn Christ or Know Nothing. You can know God and his will for you, or you can be ignorant of the truth about God. Is your heart in a state of knowledge or ignorance? That's a question of absolute first importance.
➤ Remembering and Forgetting —Living in the Past. People say you shouldn't live in the past. However, in our relationship with God, the past, present, and future, are all one. Remembering Jesus is living in the past. But forgetting Jesus is destroying your future.
➤ Innocence and Guilt —What Does the Bible Teach? Another pair of opposites in the Bible is innocence and guilt. We study the arrival of guilt, an argument about guilt, and the answer to guilt.
➤ Beginning and End —God has neither beginning nor end. His creation will end in a new beginning. Evil has a beginning and its end will be everlasting.
➤ Beauty and Ugliness —Beauty and ugliness are opposites which both appear prominently in the Bible. Especially in the cross of Christ we see disgusting ugliness contrasted to supreme beauty. Yes there is “wondrous beauty” in the cruel death of Christ.
➤ Heaven and Hell —Does the Bible promise an eternal home in heaven? What will happen to our present home, planet earth? Is there an eternal hell? Find out here.
➤ Design and Chance —Are you a product of design or chance? At your conception, you were one single tiny cell. Now your body consists of around ten million million cells. These human cells individually and collectively show an origin of design as opposed to chance.
➤ Spirit and Matter —The Bible makes a sharp distinction between spirit and matter. Matter is bound to time, and spirit is bound to eternity. Spirit and matter are mysteriously connected, but one does not originate from the other. Both spirit and matter originate from God.
➤ The Throne and the Abyss ——The story of Satan’s opposition to Christ is portrayed in the visions of Revelation. Satan is cast out of Heaven to earth; thwarted in his battle plans; locked in the Abyss; thwarted in his battle plans again; cast into the lake of fire. What a demise for this fool Satan!
➤ Victory and Defeat — Just as an army at war wants victory, not defeat, so do Christians. They are the army of Christ. Joined by angels, they fight for victory over the devil and his army. Every victorious soldier in this spiritual war wins a crown which is eternal life.
➤ Order and Chaos —The Bible has many examples of order and chaos. In this lesson we consider these opposites in the creation, the flood, and the Christian era.
➤ Grace and Works —This lesson shows that when our good works are combined with faith, then our faith is validated. Through that faith, we are saved by grace. Whilst our obedience in good works does not earn our salvation, nevertheless without that obedience we will not be saved by grace.
➤ Salvation and Peril —In this earthly life we face many perils. Perils of nature, perils of society, perils of Satan, perils of God's wrath. Can we be saved from these dangers?
➤ Forgiveness and Condemnation —Let's think about forgiveness and condemnation, two opposites in the Bible. And let's answer this question: Are You Pardoned or Condemned?
➤Unity and Division —God’s people are meant to be one people, undivided, joined together by Christ, one in doctrine, direction, and devotion. Jesus prayed that his disciples would be one just as he and his Father are one (John 17:21)