The term "excessive" refers to actions, behaviors, or attitudes that go beyond what is considered reasonable, moderate, or appropriate. In the context of biblical teachings, excessive behavior is often associated with sin, lack of self-control, and deviation from God's intended path for human conduct.

Biblical References and Teachings

1. Excessive Drinking and Gluttony: The Bible frequently warns against excessive indulgence in food and drink. Proverbs 23:20-21 cautions, "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 highlights the consequences of excessive consumption, linking it to poverty and laziness.

2. Self-Control as a Virtue: The New Testament emphasizes self-control as a fruit of the Spirit, contrasting it with excessive behaviors. Galatians 5:22-23 states, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Here, self-control is presented as a virtue that guards against excess.

3. Warnings Against Excessive Wealth: The Bible also addresses the dangers of excessive wealth and materialism. In 1 Timothy 6:9-10, Paul warns, "Those who want to be rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." This passage underscores the spiritual peril of excessive desire for wealth.

4. Excessive Speech: Scripture advises caution in speech, warning against excessive talking. Proverbs 10:19 notes, "When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise." This proverb suggests that excessive speech can lead to sin, advocating for restraint and wisdom in communication.

5. Excessive Worry and Anxiety: Jesus addresses the issue of excessive worry in Matthew 6:25-34, urging His followers to trust in God's provision. He says, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?" This teaching encourages believers to avoid excessive anxiety by placing their trust in God.

Theological Implications

Excessive behavior is often seen as a manifestation of a deeper spiritual issue, such as idolatry, lack of faith, or rebellion against God's order. The Bible calls believers to a life of moderation, self-discipline, and reliance on God. By avoiding excess, Christians are encouraged to live in a manner that reflects their faith and honors God.

Practical Application

In practical terms, Christians are encouraged to examine their lives for areas of excess and to seek balance through prayer, accountability, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Whether it be in consumption, speech, or desires, the call is to live a life that is pleasing to God, marked by moderation and self-control.(a.) Characterized by, or exhibiting, excess; overmuch.5246. huperogkos -- of excessive weight or size
... of excessive weight or size. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: huperogkos
Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-er'-ong-kos) Short Definition: immoderate, boastful ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5246.htm - 7k

4053. perissos -- abundant
... perissos Phonetic Spelling: (per-is-sos') Short Definition: abundant, greater,
vehemently, advantage Definition: more, greater, excessive, abundant, exceedingly ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4053.htm - 8k

3630. oinopotes -- a wine drinker
... a wine drinker. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: oinopotes Phonetic
Spelling: (oy-nop-ot'-ace) Short Definition: an excessive wine-drinker ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3630.htm - 6k

4970. sphodra -- very much
... Word Origin adverb from sphodros (excessive, violent) Definition very much NASB
Word Usage deeply (3), exceedingly (1), extremely (3), greatly (1), very (2). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4970.htm - 7k

335. anaideia -- shamelessness
... embarrassment") is the shamelessness a has who is not be halted by human fears --
even when others cry "overdone" (ie accuse them of being extreme or excessive ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/335.htm - 7k

3975. pachuno -- to thicken, to fatten, fig. to make dull
... unfeeling. 3975 (from , "thick") -- properly, (with excessive fat); (figuratively)
having an insensitive heart, ie unfeeling (obtuse). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3975.htm - 6k

810. asotia -- unsavedness, ie wastefulness
... 810 (from 1 "without" and 4982 , "save") -- properly, what can't be saved (waste);
(figuratively) , spiritual due to excessive behavior and the it brings. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/810.htm - 7k

5172. truphe -- softness, daintiness, luxuriousness
... 5172 (from , "to break down due to over-indulgence, ie living in excessive luxury") --
properly, brought on by self-indulgence (luxury); (figuratively) moral ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5172.htm - 7k

1169. deilos -- cowardly, fearful
... 1169 ("fearful of losses") refers to an excessive fear (dread) of "losing," causing
someone to be fainthearted (cowardly) -- hence, to fall short in following ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1169.htm - 7k

3854. lahag -- study, devotion (to books)
... devotion. Word Origin from an unused word Definition study, devotion (to
books) NASB Word Usage excessive devotion (1). study. From ...
/hebrew/3854.htm - 6k

3966. meod -- muchness, force, abundance
... 1), closely (1), diligent (1), diligently (3), enough (1), especially (1), exceeding
(1), exceedingly (14), exceedingly* (3), excessive (1), extremely* (1 ...
/hebrew/3966.htm - 7k

On Excessive Fasts and vigils.
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter XVII. On excessive fasts and
vigils. For I remember that I had so often resisted the ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xvii on excessive fasts.htm

Against Excessive Fondness for Jewels and Gold Ornaments.
... The Instructor: Book II. Chapter XIII"Against Excessive Fondness for Jewels
and Gold Ornaments. It is childish to admire excessively ...
/.../the instructor paedagogus/chapter xiiiagainst excessive fondness for.htm

Of the Excessive Desire of Possession among Us.
... Prolegomena. Chapter XV. Of the excessive desire of possession among us.
To this what shall we wretched creatures say, who though ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xv of the excessive.htm

Of Daring [*Excessive Daring or Foolhardiness] (Two Articles)
... OF DARING [*Excessive daring or foolhardiness] (TWO ARTICLES). We must now consider
daring; and under this head there are two points of inquiry: ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/of daring excessive daring or.htm

Letter ix. --On Excessive Fervour.
... ON THE OBSTACLES TO ABANDONMENT. Letter IX."On Excessive Fervour. To Sister
Marie-Th??r??se de Viom??nil. On excessive fervour of good desires. ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter ix on excessive fervour.htm

Chrysostom -- Excessive Grief at the Death of Friends
... CHRYSOSTOM " EXCESSIVE GRIEF AT THE DEATH OF FRIENDS. EXCESSIVE GRIEF AT THE DEATH
OF FRIENDS. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE. ... EXCESSIVE GRIEF AT THE DEATH OF FRIENDS. ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/chrysostom excessive grief at.htm

But Our Rites are New; Yours are Ancient, and of Excessive ...
... Book II. 71 But our rites are new; yours are ancient, and of excessive
antiquity? But our rites are [3886] new; yours are ancient ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/71 but our rites are.htm

We must Observe a Right Standard Between Too Great Mildness and ...
... Book II. Chapter XXII. We must observe a right standard between too great
mildness and excessive harshness.? We must observe a ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxii we must observe.htm

A Proper Seeking after Divine Knowledge, which Will Never be Out ...
... Chapter XII."A Proper Seeking After Divine Knowledge, Which Will Never Be Out
of Place or Excessive, is Always Within the Rule of Faith. ...
/.../the prescription against heretics/chapter xii a proper seeking after.htm

That He was Derided Because of his Excessive Clemency.
... Book IV. Chapter XXXI."That he was derided because of his Excessive Clemency.
Meantime, since there was no fear of capital punishment ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xxxi that he was derided.htm

Excessive (12 Occurrences)
...Excessive (12 Occurrences). ... And trembling and excessive amazement possessed them,
and they said nothing to any one, for they were afraid. (DBY). ...
/e/excessive.htm - 10k

Overcharge (1 Occurrence)
... 5. (vi) To make excessive charges. 6. (n.) An excessive load or burden. 7. (n.)
An excessive charge in an account. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. OVERCHARGE. ...
/o/overcharge.htm - 7k

Intemperance (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Excessive indulgence of an appetite or a passion;
excessive consumption of alcohol. 2. (n.) Specifically ...
/i/intemperance.htm - 7k

Superstition (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An excessive reverence for, or fear of, that which
is unknown or mysterious. ... 5. (n.) Excessive nicety; scrupulous exactness. ...
/s/superstition.htm - 8k

Drunkenness (10 Occurrences)
... I. Its Prevalance. The Bible affords ample proof that excessive drinking of intoxicants
was a common vice among the Hebrews, as among other ancient peoples. ...
/d/drunkenness.htm - 24k

Over (11971 Occurrences)
... 15. (adv.) Beyond a limit; hence, in excessive degree or quantity; superfluously;
with repetition; as, to do the whole work over. 16. ...
/o/over.htm - 9k

Outrage (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Injurious violence or wanton wrong done to persons or things; a gross violation
of right or decency; excessive abuse; wanton mischief; gross injury. ...
/o/outrage.htm - 8k

Inordinate (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not limited to rules prescribed, or to usual bounds;
irregular; excessive; immoderate; as, an inordinate love of the world. Int. ...
/i/inordinate.htm - 8k

Ecstasy (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Excessive joy or enthusiasm; rapture;
enthusiastic delight. 2. (n.) The state of being beside ...
/e/ecstasy.htm - 8k

Debauchery (9 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Excessive indulgence of the appetites; especially, excessive indulgence
of lust; intemperance; sensuality; habitual lewdness. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/d/debauchery.htm - 9k

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