Unbridled
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The term "unbridled" is often used to describe something that is uncontrolled or lacking restraint. In a biblical context, it is frequently associated with human passions, desires, and behaviors that are not kept in check by spiritual discipline or moral guidance. The concept of unbridled behavior is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible, highlighting the dangers and consequences of living without restraint.

Biblical References:

1. James 1:26 : "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless." This verse underscores the importance of controlling one's speech as a reflection of true religious devotion. An unbridled tongue can lead to deception and render one's faith ineffective.

2. Proverbs 25:28 : "Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper." This proverb illustrates the vulnerability and chaos that result from unbridled emotions, comparing a lack of self-control to a defenseless city.

3. Galatians 5:19-21 : "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." The Apostle Paul lists behaviors that are manifestations of an unbridled sinful nature, warning that such practices are incompatible with inheriting God's kingdom.

4. 1 Peter 2:11 : "Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul." Peter advises believers to exercise restraint over fleshly desires, recognizing them as a spiritual battleground.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, unbridled behavior is often seen as a manifestation of the sinful nature that opposes the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life. The Bible calls for self-control, a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), as a means to live a life that honors God and reflects His character. The lack of restraint is viewed as a barrier to spiritual growth and a hindrance to one's witness to the world.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to cultivate self-discipline and to rely on the Holy Spirit for strength to overcome unbridled tendencies. This involves regular prayer, meditation on Scripture, and accountability within the Christian community. By doing so, Christians can better align their lives with God's will and demonstrate the transformative power of the Gospel.

Historical Context:

In the ancient world, the metaphor of a bridle was commonly understood, as it was used to control horses. This imagery would have resonated with biblical audiences, emphasizing the necessity of guidance and control in one's life. The absence of a bridle, therefore, symbolized a life led by unchecked impulses and desires, often leading to destructive outcomes.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

The Bible consistently presents unbridled behavior as morally and ethically problematic. It calls believers to a higher standard of living, one that reflects God's holiness and righteousness. This involves a conscious effort to resist the temptations of the flesh and to pursue a life of virtue and integrity.

In summary, the concept of "unbridled" in the Bible serves as a caution against living without restraint, urging believers to exercise self-control and to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all aspects of life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(a.) Unrestrained; licentious; violent; as, unbridled passions.
Greek
4312. propetes -- falling forward, headlong
... adjective derived from 4253 , "before" and 4098 , "to fall") -- properly, "fall
forwards," ie headstrong; rash ("heady"), brought on by unbridled passion, etc. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4312.htm - 7k

2970. komos -- a village festival, revel
... village-merrymaking that took place at the gathering of the grapes, Souter) -- a
riotous party (drunken feast) which hosted unbridled sexual immorality; hence ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2970.htm - 7k

Library

The Sixth Chapter: Unbridled Affections
... BOOK ONE. THOUGHTS HELPFUL IN THE LIFE OF THE SOUL The Sixth Chapter: Unbridled
Affections. WHEN a man desires a thing too much, he at once becomes ill at ease. ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the sixth chapter unbridled affections.htm

Of the Power of the Church in Articles of Faith. The Unbridled ...
... THE UNBRIDLED LICENCE OF THE PAPAL CHURCH IN DESTROYING PURITY OF DOCTRINE. ... THE
UNBRIDLED LICENCE OF THE PAPAL CHURCH IN DESTROYING PURITY OF DOCTRINE. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 of the power.htm

It is Also Plain that the Public Prayers are not to be Couched in ...
... How then can one sufficiently admire the unbridled license of the Papists, who,
while the Apostle publicly protests against it, hesitate not to bawl out the ...
/.../calvin/of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 33 it is also.htm

The Age of Absolutism and Unbelief
... The results of this unbridled liberty of thought made themselves felt in religion,
in philosophy, in politics, in literature, and in art. ...
/.../chapter vii the age of.htm

Whether Incontinence Pertains to the Soul or to the Body?
... vii, 7) that "it is especially people of a quick or choleric and atrabilious temper
whose incontinence is one of unbridled desire." Therefore incontinence ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether incontinence pertains to the.htm

The Cross the victory and Defeat of Darkness
... upon it shifts and passes, and looked at from another point of view it is swathed
in blackness, as the most awful display of man's unbridled antagonism to the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the cross the victory and.htm

Chapter xlix
... 4. There was within Reuben's character a certain unbridled element, a
boiling-up, a "seething," which was in itself "wantonness" (BDB). ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlix.htm

2 Cor. Ii. 12, 13
... For instance, one has looked on a person often with unbridled eyes, unseen of her
or of those who walk with her [553] , yet of the Eye that never sleeps was ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily v 2 cor ii.htm

Sinners Bound with the Cords of Sin
... Leave a man to his own sins, and hell itself surrounds him; only suffer a sinner
to do what he wills, and to give his lusts unbridled headway, and you have ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 16 1870/sinners bound with the cords.htm

Continuation.
... such in public processions, [1329] and didst order them to be exhibited naked, males
in the sight of females, and females to stir up the unbridled lust of males ...
/.../ignatius/the epistle of ignatius to the philippians/chapter vi continuation.htm

Thesaurus
Unbridled (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Unrestrained; licentious; violent; as, unbridled
passions. Multi-Version Concordance Unbridled (4 Occurrences). ...
/u/unbridled.htm - 7k

Lust (42 Occurrences)
... (WEB DBY NIV). Ephesians 5:3 But fornication and all uncleanness or unbridled lust,
let it not be even named among you, as it becomes saints; (DBY). ...
/l/lust.htm - 24k

Withstanders (15 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Exodus 32:25 And Moses seeth the people that it 'is' unbridled, for Aaron
hath made it unbridled for contempt among its withstanders, (YLT). ...
/w/withstanders.htm - 10k

Contempt (55 Occurrences)
... Exodus 32:25 And Moses seeth the people that it 'is' unbridled, for Aaron hath
made it unbridled for contempt among its withstanders, (YLT). ...
/c/contempt.htm - 23k

Vile (59 Occurrences)
... Colossians 3:5 Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth,
fornication, uncleanness, vile passions, evil lust, and unbridled desire, which ...
/v/vile.htm - 26k

Unbroken (1 Occurrence)

/u/unbroken.htm - 6k

Unbreathing (1 Occurrence)

/u/unbreathing.htm - 6k

Lasciviousness (9 Occurrences)
... la-siv'-i-us-nes (aselgeia, "licentiousness," "wantonness," "unbridled lust,"
"shamelessness," "outrageousness"): 1. Sources: Etymologists assign three ...
/l/lasciviousness.htm - 11k

Informed (39 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 5:5 For this ye are well informed of, knowing that no fornicator, or unclean
person, or person of unbridled lust, who is an idolater, has inheritance ...
/i/informed.htm - 17k

Resources
Is the United States a Christian nation? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about bitterness? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about being a godly woman? | GotQuestions.org

Unbridled: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Unbridled (4 Occurrences)

Ephesians 5:3
But fornication and all uncleanness or unbridled lust, let it not be even named among you, as it becomes saints;
(DBY)

Ephesians 5:5
For this ye are well informed of, knowing that no fornicator, or unclean person, or person of unbridled lust, who is an idolater, has inheritance in the kingdom of the Christ and God.
(DBY)

Colossians 3:5
Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth, fornication, uncleanness, vile passions, evil lust, and unbridled desire, which is idolatry.
(DBY)

Exodus 32:25
And Moses seeth the people that it 'is' unbridled, for Aaron hath made it unbridled for contempt among its withstanders,
(YLT)

Subtopics

Unbridled

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