Self-indulgence, in a biblical context, refers to the excessive or unrestrained gratification of one's own appetites, desires, or whims, often at the expense of spiritual and moral principles. The Bible addresses self-indulgence as a behavior that can lead individuals away from a righteous path and into sin.

Biblical References and Teachings

1. Warnings Against Self-Indulgence: The Bible frequently warns against the dangers of self-indulgence. In Galatians 5:19-21 , the Apostle Paul lists the "acts of the flesh," which include "sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery," all of which are forms of self-indulgence. Paul warns that "those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

2. The Example of Jesus: Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of self-denial and discipline. In Matthew 4:1-11 , Jesus resists the temptations of Satan in the wilderness, refusing to indulge in physical needs or power for personal gain. His response to temptation underscores the importance of spiritual priorities over fleshly desires.

3. Parables and Teachings: Jesus often used parables to illustrate the pitfalls of self-indulgence. In the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21), a wealthy man hoards his abundance, indulging in his own comfort without regard for God or others. Jesus concludes the parable by warning that such self-indulgence leads to spiritual poverty: "This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God."

4. The Call to Self-Control: The Bible calls believers to exercise self-control, a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Self-control is presented as a virtue that counters self-indulgence, enabling individuals to live in accordance with God's will. In 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 , Paul compares the Christian life to an athlete's discipline, emphasizing the need for self-control to achieve an imperishable crown.

5. Consequences of Self-Indulgence: The Bible outlines the consequences of a self-indulgent lifestyle. Proverbs 21:17 states, "He who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich." This proverb highlights the material and spiritual impoverishment that can result from prioritizing personal gratification over godly living.

6. Encouragement to Live Righteously: Believers are encouraged to live righteously, avoiding the pitfalls of self-indulgence. Titus 2:11-12 teaches, "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age."

Historical and Cultural Context

In the ancient world, self-indulgence was often associated with the excesses of wealth and power. The Greco-Roman culture, with its emphasis on pleasure and luxury, provided a backdrop against which early Christians were called to live counterculturally. The biblical admonitions against self-indulgence served as a call to distinguish oneself from the prevailing cultural norms and to pursue a life of holiness and service.

Theological Implications

Theologically, self-indulgence is seen as a manifestation of the sinful nature, which prioritizes the desires of the flesh over the will of God. It is contrasted with the life of the Spirit, which seeks to align one's desires with God's purposes. The struggle against self-indulgence is part of the broader Christian journey of sanctification, where believers are called to grow in holiness and reflect the character of Christ.

Practical Application

For contemporary believers, the biblical teachings on self-indulgence serve as a reminder to evaluate one's lifestyle and priorities. Christians are encouraged to practice moderation, exercise self-control, and seek fulfillment in their relationship with God rather than in material or temporal pleasures. This involves a conscious effort to align one's actions with biblical principles and to cultivate a heart that seeks to honor God above all else.(n.) Indulgence of one's appetites, desires, or inclinations; -- the opposite of self-restraint, and self-denial.192. akrasia -- want of power
... Word Origin from akrates Definition want of power NASB Word Usage lack of self-control
(1), self-indulgence (1). to lack of self-control, self-indulgence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/192.htm - 7k

4763. streniao -- to run riot
... revel, riot. Cognate: 4763 -- living in sensual, lustful behavior, ie in
self-indulgence (wanton luxury). See 4764 (). Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4763.htm - 6k

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

1792. entruphao -- to revel in
... 1792 (from 1722 "in" intensifying 5171 , "to be self-indulgent") -- properly, engage
in self-indulgence which results in the of a person's body, soul, and ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1792.htm - 7k

Of the Need for Some Protest against the Psychics and their Self ...
... Chapter XII"Of the Need for Some Protest Against the Psychics and Their
Self-Indulgence. For, by this time, in this respect as ...
/.../on fasting in opposition to the psychics/chapter xiiof the need for.htm

Attributes of Selfishness.
... selfishness. Selfishness is self-indulgence not sanctioned by the reason.
It ... him. But this is only the spirit of self-indulgence. He ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xviii attributes of selfishness.htm

Evidences of Regeneration.
... They have actually rejected self-indulgence, as the end for which they live, and
are ready to sacrifice any form of self-indulgence, for the sake of promoting ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxx evidences of regeneration.htm

The Daily Walk with Others (I. ).
... wait on him, to be quite simple while quite refined in ways and habits; to be active
and wholesome in the hours he keeps; to hold self-indulgence under a ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter iv the daily walk.htm

To Monna Colomba in Lucca
... to condescend to my friends and relatives by doing this, so that they will not be
annoyed and irritated with me." So fear and perverted self-indulgence sap our ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to monna colomba in lucca.htm

Moral Depravity.
... That moral depravity consists in selfishness, or in the choice of self-interest,
self-gratification, or self-indulgence, as an end. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxiii moral depravity.htm

Second Sermon for Epiphany
... peace is a false one, may be perceived by this, that they do not cure themselves
of their former faults, such as pride, sensuality, self-indulgence, love of ...
/.../vi second sermon for epiphany.htm

To Gregory xi
... Gregory is that weak prelate in whom through self-indulgence holy justice is dead
or dying; the smooth, peaceable man, who to avoid incurring displeasure ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to gregory xi.htm

Repentance and Impenitence.
... wickedness. 2. Impenitence is a phenomenon of the will, and consists in the
will's cleaving to self-indulgence under light. It consists ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxxiv repentance and impenitence.htm

Attributes of Love.
... The desire or impulse must appear on the field of consciousness, before it is a
motive to action, and of course before it is a temptation to self-indulgence. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xv attributes of love.htm

Self-indulgence (4 Occurrences)
Self-indulgence. Self-imposed, Self-indulgence. Self-indulgent . Noah Webster's
Dictionary ... Multi-Version Concordance Self-indulgence (4 Occurrences). ...
/s/self-indulgence.htm - 7k

Greed (19 Occurrences)
... 25 "Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you wash clean the outside
of the cup or dish, while within they are full of greed and self-indulgence...
/g/greed.htm - 12k

Weighed (44 Occurrences)
... Luke 21:34 "But take heed to yourselves, lest your souls be weighed down with
self-indulgence and drunkenness or the anxieties of this life, and that day come ...
/w/weighed.htm - 20k

Dish (54 Occurrences)
... 25 "Alas for you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you wash clean the outside
of the cup or dish, while within they are full of greed and self-indulgence...
/d/dish.htm - 24k

Drunkenness (10 Occurrences)
... 6:6), and the wealthy ladies who press their husbands to join them in a carousal
(Amos 4:1); he also complains that this form of self-indulgence was practiced ...
/d/drunkenness.htm - 24k

Pleasure (331 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Amusement; sport; diversion; self-indulgence; frivolous or dissipating
enjoyment; hence, sensual gratification; -- opposed to labor, service, duty, self ...
/p/pleasure.htm - 40k

Anxieties (5 Occurrences)
... Luke 21:34 "But take heed to yourselves, lest your souls be weighed down with
self-indulgence and drunkenness or the anxieties of this life, and that day come ...
/a/anxieties.htm - 8k

Souls (114 Occurrences)
... Luke 21:34 "But take heed to yourselves, lest your souls be weighed down with
self-indulgence and drunkenness or the anxieties of this life, and that day come ...
/s/souls.htm - 37k

Self-imposed (1 Occurrence)
Self-imposed. Self-important, Self-imposed. Self-indulgence . Noah Webster's
Dictionary ... (WEB WEY NIV). Self-important, Self-imposed. Self-indulgence . ...
/s/self-imposed.htm - 6k

Sensual (8 Occurrences)
... not the Spirit" (Jude 1:19). It ranges all the way from sensuous
self-indulgence to gross immorality. In the utter subjection of ...
/s/sensual.htm - 11k

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