[Message Two]

Today's Bible Study is on the word, “countenance”.

For those of you who are joining in on this Bible Study, if you have spiritual discernment, you should be able to discern changes in a person's countenance. If you have not spent time focusing on the countenance of those people you come in contact with, this may be a good time for you to start practicing the art of the spiritual discernment of a person's countenance.

Why should you do this?

1. Because it enables you to discern the spiritual disposition of a person;

2. Because it enables you to discern prayer needs for a person;

3. Because It enables you to counsel a person in need of spiritual advice; and

4. Because it sharpens your awareness of the needs and concerns of those you come in contact with.

Today, we will take a look at what the word “countenance” means...

If you have a Bible Dictionary, now would be a good time to pull it out. According to the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, “countenance” means, “One's face as an indication of mood, emotion, or character”. [Bible References: Genesis 4:5-6; Proverbs 15:13; Ecclesiastes 7:3; Mark 10:22]

To speak of God lifting up His countenance upon one is a way of speaking about being in God's Presence (Psalm 21:6). Being in God's Presence – having God's countenance lifted toward one – may bring peace (Numbers 6:25-26), blessing (Psalms 4:6; 89:15), or victory (Psalm 44:3). It may also bring destruction (Psalm 80:16) or judgment for sin (Psalm 90:8).

Now let us go further and take a look at the definition of “countenance” in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary...

Bearing, demeanor, calm expression, mental composure, look, expression, aspect, semblance, pretense, face, visage (especially the face as an indication of mood, emotion, or character), bearing or expression that offers approval or sanction: moral support.

EXAMPLES of “countenance":

• The photograph showed his somber countenance.

• A pleasant countenance that puts visitors at ease.

• His white countenance was rendered eerie by the redness of the sagging lids below his eyes – John Updike, The Afterlift, 1994.

Related to “countenance”:

 Synonyms: cast, look, expression, face, visage

 Antonyms: agitation, discomposure, perturbation

Tonight, take a few minutes to read this Word Bible Study over, and examine the Bible Scriptures provided. Take a closer look at those closest to you, and notice their countenance. Then notice if you have been able to identify changes in their countenance. For example, can you SEE a change in the hue of their complexion? Have you ever found that they do not look like themselves? Have they ever had a ghastly looking countenance (as in sickness or death)? Can you discern “anger” or “rage” in a person's countenance? Can you identify “depression” in a person's countenance? Are you able to discern various “sickness” in a person's countenance? Can you dedect emotional instability in a person's countenance? Can you dedect mental instability in a person's countenance? Are you aware of JOY or HAPPINESS in a person's countenance? Are you able to dedect “deceit” in a person's countenance? Have you ever come in contact with a “lustful spirit” in a person's countenance? Can you easily discern drug addictions in a person's countenance?

You may want to print this Word Bible Study out, because we will be coming back to this with additional content. This is the 1^st Word Bible Study. Our word – “countenance”.

See you in the next Word Bible Study session!

Thank you for your participation. All comments, questions, input, insight, and information in relation to this study is welcomed. If you have any personal stories to share in relation to this study, please feel free to share them.

Blessings to you ~

Ordained

WORD BIBLE STUDY

[countenance]

by Ordained

© 2011 ~ Ordained ~ All Rights Reserved