In the context of the Bible, "tripping" can be understood both literally and metaphorically. The act of tripping, or stumbling, is often used in Scripture to symbolize spiritual or moral failure, a deviation from the path of righteousness, or a moment of weakness that leads to sin. The imagery of tripping or stumbling is prevalent throughout the Bible, serving as a warning and a call to vigilance in one's spiritual walk.

Old Testament References

The concept of tripping or stumbling is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, often in the context of God's guidance and the consequences of turning away from His commandments. In Proverbs 4:12, the path of the righteous is described as secure: "When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; when you run, you will not stumble." This verse highlights the protection and stability that come from adhering to God's wisdom.

Conversely, the wicked are often depicted as those who stumble. In Proverbs 4:19, it is written, "But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble." This suggests that those who reject God's ways are prone to spiritual blindness and moral failure.

The Psalms also reflect on the theme of stumbling. Psalm 37:24 assures the faithful, "Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand." This verse emphasizes God's sustaining power and His ability to prevent His followers from being utterly defeated by their missteps.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the metaphor of stumbling is often used to describe the challenges and temptations that believers face. Jesus Himself warns against causing others to stumble in their faith. In Matthew 18:6, He states, "But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." This severe warning underscores the seriousness of leading others into sin.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of stumbling in his letters. In Romans 14:13, he advises, "Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way." Here, Paul encourages believers to be considerate of others' spiritual journeys and to avoid actions that might lead them into sin.

Spiritual Implications

The concept of tripping or stumbling in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the need for vigilance and reliance on God. Believers are called to walk carefully and to support one another in their spiritual journeys. The imagery of stumbling highlights human frailty and the ever-present need for divine guidance and grace.

The Bible also offers hope and assurance that God is present to help His people avoid spiritual pitfalls. In Jude 1:24, it is proclaimed, "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy." This doxology celebrates God's power to sustain and preserve His followers, ensuring that they remain steadfast in their faith.

Practical Application

For Christians, the biblical teachings on tripping or stumbling serve as a call to self-examination and community support. Believers are encouraged to be mindful of their actions and their impact on others, striving to live in a way that honors God and edifies the body of Christ. By seeking God's wisdom and strength, Christians can navigate the challenges of life without falling into sin, trusting in His promise to uphold them.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Trip.

2. (a.) Quick; nimble; stepping lightly and quickly.

3. (a.) Having the right forefoot lifted, the others remaining on the ground, as if he were trotting; trippant; -- said of an animal, as a hart, buck, and the like, used as a bearing.

4. (n.) Act of one who, or that which, trips.

5. (n.) A light dance.

6. (n.) The loosing of an anchor from the ground by means of its cable or buoy rope.

6117. aqab -- to follow at the heel, assail insidiously ...
... A primitive root; properly, to swell out or up; used only as denominative from aqeb,
to seize by the heel; figuratively, to circumvent (as if tripping up the ...
/hebrew/6117.htm - 6k

2945. taph -- children
... From taphaph (perhaps referring to the tripping gait of children); a family (mostly
used collectively in the singular) -- (little) children (ones), families. ...
/hebrew/2945.htm - 6k

The Letter and the Spirit
... against you, crying continually, this was wrong, and that was wrong, making you
believe that God is always on the watch to catch you tripping, and telling you ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xiii the letter and.htm

Foretastes of the Heavenly Life
... to heaven lately as a place where we shall never, never sin"where our feet shall
be fixed firmly upon a rock"where there is neither tripping nor sliding ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 45 1899/foretastes of the heavenly life.htm

The Longbeards' Saga. AD 400
... was their need. Out of the morning land, Over the snow-drifts, Beautiful
Freya came, Tripping to Scoring. White were the moorlands ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the longbeards saga a d 400.htm

Introduction.
... But there is a certain degree of dilittante-ism, rather than of earnestness, in
these compositions; and the most airy, tripping, frivolous measure that the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neale/hymns of the eastern church/introduction.htm

February.
... Saint's Tragedy, Act iii.. Scene i. Out of the morning land, Over the
snow-drifts, Beautiful Freya came, Tripping to Scoring. White ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/daily thoughts /february.htm

Letter xxiv. To Athanasius, Father of Athanasius Bishop of Ancyra.
... Yet not to give a handle by one's own conduct, either to inquisitive critics of
society, or to mischief makers who lie in wait to catch us tripping, is not ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter xxiv to athanasius father.htm

Letter ccxxii. To the People of Chalcis.
... For while the eyes discharge their functions, the hands can do their work as they
ought, the feet can move without tripping, and no part of the body is ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter ccxxii to the people.htm

Letter cclxvi. To Petrus, Bishop of Alexandria.
... God is my witness. I have heard them myself. I should not certainly have now admitted
them to communion, if I had caught them tripping in the faith. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cclxvi to petrus bishop.htm

Heroic Faith
... No doubt, too, there were plenty of people who would have been delighted to catch
him tripping; and he felt that his cheeks would have tingled with shame if ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/heroic faith.htm

The Shepherd of Pella
... The old man staggered only a moment from the tripping that the wrench gave
him, but in that instant of hesitation the pillager vanished. ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter iii the shepherd of.htm

Tripping (1 Occurrence)
... 5. (n.) A light dance. 6. (n.) The loosing of an anchor from the ground by means
of its cable or buoy rope. Multi-Version Concordance Tripping (1 Occurrence). ...
/t/tripping.htm - 7k

Tripolis

/t/tripolis.htm - 7k

Dance (18 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The leaping, tripping, or measured stepping of one who dances; an amusement,
in which the movements of the persons are regulated by art, in figures and ...
/d/dance.htm - 15k

Triumph (52 Occurrences)

/t/triumph.htm - 24k

Cities (427 Occurrences)
... and white sheep were being tended by women in long blue cloaks; and on the party
of travelers being observed, groups of merry children came tripping up toward ...
/c/cities.htm - 91k

Ciccar
... and white sheep were being tended by women in long blue cloaks; and on the party
of travelers being observed, groups of merry children came tripping up toward ...
/c/ciccar.htm - 14k

Plain (113 Occurrences)
... and white sheep were being tended by women in long blue cloaks; and on the party
of travelers being observed, groups of merry children came tripping up toward ...
/p/plain.htm - 71k

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