Definition:
Self-pleasing refers to the act of prioritizing one's own desires and interests above those of others or above the will of God. It is often associated with selfishness, self-indulgence, and a lack of consideration for the needs and well-being of others. In a biblical context, self-pleasing is seen as contrary to the teachings of Christ, who exemplified selflessness and servitude.

Biblical References and Context:

1. Romans 15:1-3 :
"We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: 'The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me.'"

· In this passage, the Apostle Paul encourages believers to prioritize the needs of others over their own desires. He uses the example of Christ, who did not seek to please Himself but bore the burdens of others, as a model for Christian behavior.

2. Philippians 2:3-4 :
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

· Paul admonishes the Philippians to avoid self-centeredness and to adopt an attitude of humility. The emphasis is on valuing others and their needs, which stands in stark contrast to self-pleasing behavior.

3. 2 Timothy 3:1-2 :
"But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy..."

· This passage describes the characteristics of people in the last days, highlighting self-love as a root of various sinful behaviors. Self-pleasing is linked to a broader pattern of moral decline and rebellion against God.

4. 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."

· Here, Paul contrasts living by the Spirit with gratifying the desires of the flesh, which includes self-pleasing. The call is to live in accordance with the Spirit, which leads to self-control and consideration for others.

Theological Implications:

Self-pleasing is often seen as a manifestation of the sinful nature, which is in opposition to the life of holiness and service that God desires for His people. The Bible consistently calls believers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Christ (Matthew 16:24). This involves a transformation of the heart and mind, aligning one's desires with God's will and the needs of others.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to examine their motives and actions, seeking to cultivate a spirit of humility and service. This can be achieved through prayer, study of the Scriptures, and active participation in the community of faith. By doing so, Christians can resist the temptation of self-pleasing and instead reflect the love and selflessness of Christ in their daily lives.829. authades -- self-pleasing
... self-pleasing. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: authades Phonetic Spelling:
(ow-thad'-ace) Short Definition: self-satisfied, arrogant Definition: self ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/829.htm - 7k

Carnal or Spiritual?
... Self-will, self-pleasing, self-confidence. ... I am under the power of the flesh and
all the self-confidence, and self-will, and self-pleasing that marks my life.". ...
/.../murray/the deeper christian life/iii carnal or spiritual.htm

"For as Many as are Led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of ...
... Men pretending to Christianity, yet hurried away with every self-pleasing object,
as if they were not masters of themselves, furiously agitated by violent lusts ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxxvi for as many.htm

Moral Depravity.
... Both sound philosophy and the Bible, make sin to consist in obeying the flesh, or
in the spirit of self-pleasing, or self-indulgence, or, which is the same ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxiii moral depravity.htm

The Importunate Widow.
... inquiry. The reason why the widow's claims were left long unsettled in the
court was the self-pleasing indolence of the judge. The ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xxviii the importunate widow.htm

The Self Life.
... What was the cause of this? Self-pleasing. ... Christians, look at your own lives in
the light of the words of Jesus. Do you find there self-will, self-pleasing? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the masters indwelling/ii the self life.htm

Self-Love
... Such was the life Thou livedst; self abjuring,. Thine own pains never easing,. Our
burdens bearing, our just doom enduring,. A life without self-pleasing! ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cccciii self-love.htm

Peter's Repentance
... Dear friend, I beseech you, look at Peter utterly changed"the self-pleasing, the
self-trusting, the self-seeking Peter, full of sin, continually getting into ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/absolute surrender/peters repentance.htm

The Entrance to the Life of Full Obedience
... servant of all. He did so, because self, self-will, self-pleasing,
self-seeking, is simply the source of all sin. When we indulge ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/murray/the school of obedience/v the entrance to the.htm

Wilt Thou be Made Whole?
... They are not willing to forsake entirely the walk after the course of this world,
to give up all self-will, and self-confidence, and self-pleasing. ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter viii wilt thou be.htm

Instruction I
... end. They are all idols, images of things, such as self-will, self-pleasing,
and the enjoyment of things pertaining to the senses. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/instruction i.htm

Self-pleasing (1 Occurrence)
Self-pleasing. Self-mutilators, Self-pleasing. Self-produced .
Multi-Version Concordance Self-pleasing (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/self-pleasing.htm - 6k

Overseer (84 Occurrences)
... Titus 1:7 For the overseer must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-pleasing,
not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest ...
/o/overseer.htm - 32k

Greedy (24 Occurrences)
... Titus 1:7 For the overseer must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-pleasing,
not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest ...
/g/greedy.htm - 13k

Easily (15 Occurrences)
... Titus 1:7 For the overseer must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-pleasing,
not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest ...
/e/easily.htm - 11k

Drunkard (15 Occurrences)
... Titus 1:7 For the overseer must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-pleasing,
not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest ...
/d/drunkard.htm - 11k

Dishonest (33 Occurrences)
... Titus 1:7 For the overseer must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-pleasing,
not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest ...
/d/dishonest.htm - 16k

Pursuing (50 Occurrences)
... Titus 1:7 For the overseer must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-pleasing,
not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest ...
/p/pursuing.htm - 21k

Pugnacious (2 Occurrences)
... Titus 1:7 For the overseer must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-pleasing,
not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest ...
/p/pugnacious.htm - 7k

Blameless (81 Occurrences)
... Titus 1:7 For the overseer must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-pleasing,
not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest ...
/b/blameless.htm - 27k

Angered (13 Occurrences)
... Titus 1:7 For the overseer must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-pleasing,
not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest ...
/a/angered.htm - 9k

What does the Bible say about self-gratification / self-pleasure? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about self-discipline? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about being self-conscious? | GotQuestions.org

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