Definition and Context:
Indulging refers to the act of allowing oneself to partake in pleasures or desires, often to excess. In a biblical context, indulging is frequently associated with giving in to the desires of the flesh, which can lead to sin and separation from God. The Bible warns against excessive indulgence, urging believers to exercise self-control and live according to the Spirit.

Biblical References:

1. Galatians 5:16-17 :
"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want."

· This passage highlights the conflict between the desires of the flesh and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Indulging in fleshly desires is seen as contrary to living a life led by the Spirit.

2. 1 Peter 4:3 :
"For you 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."

· Here, Peter reminds believers of their past indulgences and urges them to leave behind such behaviors, which are characteristic of a life apart from God.

3. Proverbs 25:28 :
"Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper."

· While not directly mentioning indulgence, this proverb underscores the importance of self-control. A lack of self-control, akin to indulging in one's impulses, leaves a person vulnerable and defenseless.

4. Romans 13:13-14 :
"Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh."

· Paul exhorts believers to live honorably and avoid indulging in sinful behaviors. He emphasizes the need to "clothe" oneself with Christ, suggesting a life of righteousness and self-discipline.

Theological Implications:

Indulging in sinful desires is often portrayed in Scripture as a barrier to spiritual growth and a life pleasing to God. The Bible consistently calls for believers to exercise self-control, a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and to live in a manner that reflects their new identity in Christ. Indulgence is seen as a surrender to the old nature, which believers are called to put to death (Colossians 3:5).

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to examine their lives for areas where indulgence may be taking precedence over spiritual discipline. This includes not only obvious sins like drunkenness and sexual immorality but also more subtle forms of indulgence such as gluttony, laziness, or excessive entertainment. By cultivating a life of prayer, study of Scripture, and accountability within the Christian community, believers can resist the temptation to indulge and instead pursue holiness and godliness.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Indulge.4160. poieo -- to make, do
... formed (1), formed a conspiracy (1), forms (1), gave (4), give (4), gives (1), giving
(1), have (2), have kept (1), having (1), held (1), indulging (1), keep (3 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4160.htm - 14k

5171. truphao -- to live luxuriously
... live indulgently (luxuriously). See 5172 (). 5171 ("indulging in dainty
living") is only used in Js 5:5. ["Dainty living" in NT ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5171.htm - 7k

5172. truphe -- softness, daintiness, luxuriousness
... luxury") -- properly, brought on by self-indulgence (luxury); (figuratively) moral
and spiritual breakdown ("enfeeblement") from over-indulging in dainty ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5172.htm - 7k

Examples of Such Offences under the Old Dispensation no Pattern ...
... danger of hell." [763] Ask (yourself) whether the law of not committing adultery
be still in force, to which has been added that of not indulging concupiscence ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter vi examples of such offences.htm

Love of Religion, a New Nature.
... sinners,"wilful, abandoned sinners,"if they would be honest enough to speak as they
really in their hearts feel, would own, while they are indulging in the ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xiii love of religion.htm

Quenching the Spirit.
... 7. We often quench the Spirit by indulging intemperate excitement on any subject.
If the subject is foreign. ... 8. The Spirit is quenched by indulging prejudice. ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xv quenching the spirit.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... Bunyan very properly warns his readers against giving the reins to their imaginations
and indulging in speculations like those fathers, who in every nail, pin ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

The Opposite Opinion is Approved by None of the Ancient Doctors of ...
... the apostle says he wills and does not, and by the evil which he says he wills not
and does, the ancients understand only the not-indulging in concupiscence ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/the opposite opinion is approved.htm

Self-Denial
... 5 . Now, it is undoubtedly pleasing, for the time, to follow our own will, by indulging,
in any instance that offers, the corruption of our nature: But by ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 48 self-denial.htm

Sowing and Reaping
... "Let it be observed," he says, "that the act of indulging in the desires of the
flesh is one thing and the act of providing for the indulgence of them is ...
/.../moody/sowing and reaping/chapter i sowing and reaping.htm

Evidences of Regeneration.
... He may not gratify all his desires, because the desires are often contradictory,
and he must deny one for the sake of indulging another. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxx evidences of regeneration.htm

The Two-Fold Aspect of the Divine Working
... I do not dwell upon that; it is far too awful a thing for us to speak about to one
another, but it is worth your taking to heart when you are indulging in easy ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the two-fold aspect of the.htm

The Wisdom of God's Counsels
... Paul would have given you a place among those "whose god is their belly!" How many
of them are now again indulging "the desire of the eye!" using every means ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 68 the wisdom of.htm

Indulging (4 Occurrences)
...Indulging (4 Occurrences). ... Ephesians 4:19 Such men being past feeling have abandoned
themselves to impurity, greedily indulging in every kind of profligacy. ...
/i/indulging.htm - 7k

Quarreling (17 Occurrences)
... Romans 13:13 Living as we do in broad daylight, let us conduct ourselves becomingly,
not indulging in revelry and drunkenness, nor in lust and debauchery, nor ...
/q/quarreling.htm - 11k

Quarrelling (5 Occurrences)
... Romans 13:13 Living as we do in broad daylight, let us conduct ourselves becomingly,
not indulging in revelry and drunkenness, nor in lust and debauchery, nor ...
/q/quarrelling.htm - 8k

Voluptuous (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Given to the enjoyments of luxury and pleasure; indulging to excess in sensual
gratifications. Multi-Version Concordance Voluptuous (1 Occurrence). ...
/v/voluptuous.htm - 7k

Natures (12 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 2:3 Among them all of us also formerly passed our lives, governed by the
inclinations of our lower natures, indulging the cravings of those natures ...
/n/natures.htm - 10k

Ourselves (129 Occurrences)
... Romans 13:13 Living as we do in broad daylight, let us conduct ourselves becomingly,
not indulging in revelry and drunkenness, nor in lust and debauchery, nor ...
/o/ourselves.htm - 38k

Original (6 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 2:3 Among them all of us also formerly passed our lives, governed by the
inclinations of our lower natures, indulging the cravings of those natures ...
/o/original.htm - 9k

Greedily (7 Occurrences)
... Greedily (7 Occurrences). Ephesians 4:19 Such men being past feeling have abandoned
themselves to impurity, greedily indulging in every kind of profligacy. ...
/g/greedily.htm - 8k

Gluttonous (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Given to eating to excess; indulging the appetite;
voracious; as, a gluttonous age. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/g/gluttonous.htm - 9k

Governed (8 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 2:3 Among them all of us also formerly passed our lives, governed by the
inclinations of our lower natures, indulging the cravings of those natures ...
/g/governed.htm - 8k

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