Topical Encyclopedia The Bible provides numerous insights into the nature and behavior of individuals, including women, who are described as being fond of self-indulgence. This characteristic is often portrayed in a negative light, as it can lead to moral and spiritual decline. The Scriptures caution against such behavior, emphasizing the virtues of self-control, modesty, and godliness.Old Testament References In the Old Testament, the theme of self-indulgence is often associated with idolatry and moral decay. The prophet Isaiah speaks against the women of Zion, highlighting their haughty demeanor and indulgent lifestyle: "The LORD says: 'Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, walking with heads held high and wanton eyes, prancing and skipping as they go, jingling their bracelets'" (Isaiah 3:16). This passage underscores the connection between self-indulgence and pride, warning of the consequences that follow such behavior. New Testament Warnings The New Testament continues this theme, particularly in the pastoral epistles. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to Timothy, warns against women who live for pleasure: "But she who lives for pleasure is dead even while she is still alive" (1 Timothy 5:6). Here, Paul contrasts the life of self-indulgence with the life of faith, suggesting that such a lifestyle leads to spiritual death. Paul also advises women to adorn themselves with good deeds rather than with extravagant clothing or jewelry, emphasizing modesty and self-control: "Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God" (1 Timothy 2:9-10). This instruction highlights the importance of inner beauty and godliness over outward appearances. Examples and Parables The Bible provides examples and parables that illustrate the dangers of self-indulgence. The account of Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab, serves as a cautionary tale. Her indulgence in power and manipulation led to her downfall and serves as a warning against the destructive nature of self-indulgence (1 Kings 21). In the parables of Jesus, the theme of self-indulgence is also evident. The parable of the rich fool, though not specifically about women, illustrates the folly of living for oneself and accumulating wealth without regard for God or others (Luke 12:16-21). This parable serves as a broader warning against the dangers of self-indulgence for all believers. Virtues Opposed to Self-Indulgence The Bible encourages virtues that stand in opposition to self-indulgence, such as self-control, humility, and godliness. The fruit of the Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-23, includes self-control, which is essential for living a life that honors God. Women are encouraged to cultivate these virtues, reflecting the character of Christ in their lives. Proverbs 31 provides a portrait of a virtuous woman, whose life is marked by diligence, wisdom, and fear of the Lord. This passage serves as an ideal for women to aspire to, contrasting sharply with the self-indulgent lifestyle that the Bible warns against. In summary, the Bible presents self-indulgence as a trait that leads to spiritual and moral decline. Women are encouraged to pursue a life of modesty, self-control, and godliness, reflecting the virtues that are pleasing to God. Through the examples and teachings found in Scripture, believers are reminded of the importance of living a life that honors the Lord and serves others. Nave's Topical Index Isaiah 32:9-11Rise up, you women that are at ease; hear my voice, you careless daughters; give ear to my speech. Nave's Topical Index Library Behaviour in the Baths. Letter cxxviii. To Gaudentius. While the Foregoing Scene was Taking Place at the Vatican... Letter Xlii. To Chilo, his Disciple. Ephesians iv. 17-19 On Certain Modern Writers and the Institution of the Family Separation to God. At the Marriage Feast An Account of the Organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church ... Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. Resources What does the Bible say about women pastors? | GotQuestions.orgDo women have to remain silent in church? | GotQuestions.org Are men and women equal in God's eyes? | GotQuestions.org Women: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Women are Courteous to Strangers Women are Tender to Her offspring Women of the Body (Ekklesia) of Christ Women: A Persian Queen Sat on a Throne Beside Her King Women: Active in Instigating to Iniquity Women: As Prophets: Philip's Four Unmarried Daughters Women: Athaliah, in Destroying the Royal Household and Usurping the Throne Women: Bath-Sheba, in Her Adultery, in Becoming the Wife of Her Husband's Murderer Women: Consecrated Jewels to Tabernacle Women: Converted by Preaching of Paul Women: Could not Marry Without the Consent of Parents Women: Deborah, a Judge, Prophetess, and Military Leader Women: Delilah, in Her Conspiracy Against Samson Women: Difference in Ceremonies Made Between Male and Female Children Women: Dinah, in Her Fornication Women: Eve, in Yielding to Temptation and Seducing Her Husband Women: Fall of, and Curse Upon Women: First to Whom the Risen Lord Appeared Women: Fond of Self-Indulgence Women: Forbidden to Wear Men's Costume Women: Gomer, the Adulterous Wife of Hosea Women: had Separate Apartments in Dwellings Women: Haman's Wife, in Advising Him to Hang Mordecai Women: Hannah, the Mother of Samuel Women: Help in Defensive Operations Women: Herodias, in Her Incestuous Marriage With Herod Antipas Women: Herodius, by Indirectly Causing John the Baptist to be Decapitated Women: Jezebel, in Her Conspiracy Against Naboth, to Cheat Him out of his Vineyard Women: Jezebel, in Her Evil Counsels To, and Influence Over, Ahab Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution and Destruction of the Prophets of the Lord Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution of Elijah Women: Job's Wife, in Suggesting to Him That he Curse God and Die Women: Leah, in Her Imitation of Rachel in the Matter of Children Women: Lot's Wife, in Her Rebellion Against Her Situation, and Against the Destruction of Sodom Women: Michal, in Her Derision of David's Religious Zeal Women: Miriam, in Her Sedition With Aaron Against Moses Women: Not to be Given in Marriage Was Considered a Calamity Women: Patriotic: The Women of Israel Women: Patriotic: The Women of the Philistines Women: Peninnah, the Wife of Elkanah, in Her Jealous Taunting of Hannah Women: Potiphar's Wife, in Her Lascivious Lust and Slander Against Joseph Women: Property Rights of in Inheritance Women: Property Rights of To Sell Real Estate Women: Punishment for Seducing, when not Betrothed Women: Punishment to be Inflicted Upon Men for Seducing, when Betrothed Women: Purifications of After Childbirth Women: Purifications of After Menstruation Women: Rachel, in Her Jealousy of Leah Women: Rachel, in Stealing Images Women: Religious Privileges of, Among Early Christians Women: Required to Attend to the Reading of the Law of Moses Women: Rules for Dress of Christian Women: Sapphira, in Her Blasphemous Falsehood Women: Sarah, in Her Jealousy and Malice Toward Hagar Women: Silly, and Easily Led Into Error Women: Social Status of in Persia Women: Social Status of in Roman Customs Women: Sold for Husband's Debts Women: Solomon's Wives, in Their Idolatrous and Wicked Influence Over Solomon Women: Symbolical of Wickedness Women: Tended Flocks and Herds Women: The Cannibalistic Mothers of Samaria Women: The Daughters of Lot, in Their Incestuous Lust Women: The Midianite Woman in the Camp of Israel, Taken in Adultery Women: The Philippian Christians Women: The Shunammite Woman, Who Gave Hospitality to Elisha Women: The Sodomites of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) Women: The Widow Who Put Her Two Mite (Small Coins, Greek: Leptas) Into the Treasury Women: The Woman Caught in the Act of Adultery and Brought to Jesus in the Temple Women: Took Part in Ancient Worship Women: Treated With Cruelty in War Women: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Women: Virtuous, Held in High Estimation Women: Wicked: Commits Forgery Women: Wicked: Full of Deceit and Licentiousness Women: Wicked: Silly and Wayward Women: Wicked: Zeal of, in Licentious Practices of Idolatry Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Women: Worshiped in Separate Compartments Women: Zealous in Promoting Superstition and Idolatry Women: Zipporah, in Her Persecution of Moses on Account of his Religious Obligations Related Terms Women-servants (21 Occurrences) |
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