Dissoluteness, often synonymous with debauchery or licentiousness, refers to a lifestyle characterized by a lack of moral restraint, particularly in matters of sexual conduct and indulgence in sensual pleasures. This concept is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible, where it is consistently portrayed as contrary to the will of God and the life of holiness to which believers are called.

Biblical References:

1. Galatians 5:19-21 · In his letter to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul lists the "acts of the flesh," which include "sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery." He warns that "those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" . Dissoluteness is thus presented as a barrier to spiritual inheritance and a life in the Spirit.

2. Ephesians 5:18 · Paul admonishes the Ephesians, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit" . Here, the contrast is drawn between a life led by the Spirit and one given over to excess and moral laxity, highlighting the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers away from dissolute behavior.

3. 1 Peter 4:3-4 · The Apostle Peter reminds his readers that they have spent enough time in the past "carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles, living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry" . He encourages them to live differently, even if it results in being maligned by those who continue in such practices.

4. Proverbs 23:20-21 · The wisdom literature of the Old Testament also addresses the dangers of a dissolute lifestyle: "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags" . This passage underscores the practical consequences of indulgence and lack of self-control.

Theological Implications:

Dissoluteness is often associated with a rejection of God's design for human relationships and a failure to honor the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). It reflects a broader rebellion against divine order and a pursuit of self-gratification at the expense of spiritual and moral integrity.

The New Testament frequently contrasts dissolute living with the fruits of the Spirit, urging believers to pursue righteousness, self-control, and godliness. The call to holiness is a recurring theme, with an emphasis on living a life that is pleasing to God and distinct from the patterns of the world.

Practical Considerations:

For Christians, avoiding dissoluteness involves cultivating virtues such as temperance, chastity, and self-discipline. It requires a conscious effort to align one's life with biblical teachings and to seek the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in overcoming temptations. Fellowship with other believers, regular engagement with Scripture, and prayer are essential practices in maintaining a life that resists the allure of dissolute behavior.

In summary, dissoluteness is depicted in the Bible as a destructive force that undermines one's relationship with God and others. Believers are called to reject such a lifestyle and to embrace the transformative power of the Gospel, which enables them to live in accordance with God's will.(n.) State or quality of being dissolute; looseness of morals and manners; addictedness to sinful pleasures; debauchery; dissipation.

The People among whom we Labour.
... He alleged, indeed, a special Divine sanction for the dissoluteness of his later
life, but this has not deterred his followers from thinking they could not go ...
/.../chapter xxviii the people among.htm

The Lax and Dangerous views of this Sect Respecting Good Works ...
... [6888] As for them, however, they may prove their nobility by the dissoluteness
[6889] of their life and their diligence [6890] in sin, since Achamoth fawns on ...
/.../tertullian/against the valentinians/chapter xxx the lax and dangerous.htm

Article xxxvi the Magistracy Civil Government...
... has appointed kings, princes, and magistrates; willing that the world should be
governed by certain laws and policies; to the end that the dissoluteness of men ...
/.../various/the belgic confession /article xxxvi the magistracy civil.htm

The Supposed Effects of Christianity.
... If it check, in some degree, personal dissoluteness, if it beget general probity
in the transaction of business, if it produce soft and humane manners in the ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter vii the supposed effects.htm

Philip is Baptised
... The chaste dignity of its continence, and its serene gaiety, so free from all
dissoluteness, allured him to grasp, as it were, the holy hands extended to him. ...
/.../chapter ix philip is baptised.htm

That the Christian Should be Such.
... Your dissoluteness, says he, in itself ruins [1858] you. Be, then, such as Christ
wishes you to be, gentle, and in Him joyful, for in the world you are sad. ...
/.../the instructions of commodianus/lviii that the christian should be.htm

Of Compunction of Heart
... shalt find devotion. Compunction openeth the way for many good things, which
dissoluteness is wont quickly to lose. It is wonderful ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xxi of compunction of.htm

Of the Examination of Conscience, and Purpose of Amendment
... so often entangled in many vain fancies, so much inclined to outward things, so
negligent of internal; so ready to laughter and dissoluteness, so unready to ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter vii of the examination.htm

The Twenty-First Chapter: Sorrow of Heart
... senses, and shun inane silliness. Sorrow opens the door to many a blessing
which dissoluteness usually destroys. It is a wonder ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the twenty-first chapter sorrow of.htm

The Jewish Dispersion in the West - the Hellenists - Origin of ...
... The dissoluteness of public and private life, the frivolity and aimlessness of their
pursuits, political aspirations, popular assemblies, amusements - in short ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ii the jewish dispersion.htm

Dissoluteness (4 Occurrences)
...Dissoluteness (4 Occurrences). Ephesians 5:18 and be not drunk with wine, in
which is dissoluteness, but be filled in the Spirit, (YLT). ...
/d/dissoluteness.htm - 7k

Dissipation (4 Occurrences)
... life, in which health, money, etc., are squandered in pursuit of pleasure; profuseness
in vicious indulgence, as late hours, riotous living, etc.; dissoluteness...
/d/dissipation.htm - 7k

Dissolution (1 Occurrence)
... 8. (n.) Destruction of anything by the separation of its parts; ruin. 9. (n.)
Corruption of morals; dissipation; dissoluteness. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/d/dissolution.htm - 7k

Fled (181 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:18 For while speaking great highflown words of vanity, they allure with
the lusts of the flesh, by dissoluteness, those who have just fled those who ...
/f/fled.htm - 38k

Excesses (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 4:4 in which they think it strange -- your not running with them to
the same excess of dissoluteness, speaking evil, (See NAS). ...
/e/excesses.htm - 7k

Dissolute (1 Occurrence)

/d/dissolute.htm - 6k

Profligacy (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Decadence; dissoluteness; wild extravagance;
the state of being abandoned in moral principle and in vice. ...
/p/profligacy.htm - 8k

Sentence (53 Occurrences)
... got in unnoticed, they who of old were marked out beforehand to this sentence, ungodly
persons, turning the grace of our God into dissoluteness, and denying ...
/s/sentence.htm - 24k

Running (135 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 4:4 in which they think it strange -- your not running with them to the
same excess of dissoluteness, speaking evil, (YLT). Jude 1:11 A curse on them! ...
/r/running.htm - 37k

Highflown (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Peter 2:18 For while speaking great highflown words of vanity, they allure with
the lusts of the flesh, by dissoluteness, those who have just fled those who ...
/h/highflown.htm - 6k

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