In the context of the Bible, the term "gratify" often relates to the desires and inclinations of the flesh, contrasting with the spiritual aspirations that align with God's will. The concept of gratifying the flesh is frequently addressed in Scripture, warning believers against succumbing to worldly desires that lead away from a life of holiness and obedience to God.

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 flesh and the Spirit, urging believers to live by the Spirit to avoid gratifying sinful desires.

2. Romans 13:14 : "Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh." Here, the Apostle Paul instructs Christians to focus on embodying Christ-like virtues, thereby resisting the temptation to gratify fleshly desires.

3. Ephesians 2:3 : "All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath." This verse reflects on the past life of believers before coming to faith, emphasizing the transformation that occurs when one turns away from gratifying the flesh.

Theological Implications:

The act of gratifying the flesh is often associated with sin and rebellion against God. It represents a life driven by self-centered desires rather than a life surrendered to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Bible consistently calls believers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Christ (Matthew 16:24), which involves resisting the urge to gratify sinful inclinations.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to cultivate spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, and studying Scripture to strengthen their resolve against the temptations of the flesh. By doing so, they align their lives more closely with God's purposes and experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. The pursuit of holiness involves a conscious decision to prioritize spiritual growth over the fleeting pleasures of the world.

Contrast with Worldly Views:

In contrast to the biblical perspective, contemporary culture often promotes the idea of self-gratification as a means to personal fulfillment and happiness. This worldview can lead to a focus on materialism, hedonism, and self-indulgence, which are contrary to the teachings of Scripture. Christians are called to be counter-cultural, living lives that reflect the values of the Kingdom of God rather than the transient values of the world.

Conclusion:

The biblical teaching on gratifying the flesh serves as a reminder of the ongoing spiritual battle faced by believers. By choosing to walk by the Spirit, Christians can overcome the desires of the flesh and live in a manner that honors God, reflecting His love and righteousness to the world.1. (v. t.) To please; to give pleasure to; to satisfy; to soothe; to indulge; as, to gratify the taste, the appetite, the senses, the desires, the mind, etc.

2. (v. t.) To requite; to recompense.

2100. euaresteo -- to be well-pleasing
... Cognate: 2100 -- to please (gratify) by . We only please the Lord by living
("His inworked persuasions/preferences"). ... gratify, please. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2100.htm - 7k

3685. oninemi -- to profit, help
... form (onao) is used as an alternate in some tenses (unless indeed it be identical
with the base of onoma through the idea of notoriety); to gratify, ie (middle ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3685.htm - 6k

829. authades -- self-pleasing
... 829 (an adjective, derived from 846 , "self" and , "to gratify self, be indulgent") --
properly, a person who , ie fixed in -pleasure (engrossed in -interest). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/829.htm - 7k

Epiphanius, in Order to Gratify Theophilus, Performs Ordinations ...
... Book VI. Chapter XII."Epiphanius, in order to gratify Theophilus, performs
Ordinations at Constantinople without John's Permission. ...
/.../chapter xii epiphanius in order to.htm

Peter is Willing to Gratify Sophonias.
... Homily XX. Chapter I."Peter is Willing to Gratify Sophonias. In the
night-time Peter rose up and wakened us, and then sat down ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter i peter is willing to.htm

Attributes of Love.
... God. It is willing good as an end, for its own sake, and not to gratify self.
Selfishness ... It is only an effort to gratify a desire. It is ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xii attributes of love.htm

The Important Question
... The man we speak of may, therefore, be supposed to have gained all that will
gratify his senses. In particular, all that can increase ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 84 the important question.htm

What Constitutes Disobedience to Moral Law?
... This is selfishness. In other words, it is seeking to gratify the desire
of personal good, in a manner prohibited by the law of God. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xvi what constitutes disobedience.htm

A Boy's Mistake --A Sad Reconciliation.
... At last the mother came down to her sick-bed, broken-hearted, and when she was given
up by the physicians to die, the husband, anxious to gratify her last wish ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/a boys mistakea sad reconciliation.htm

How it is against the Rule for any one to Take Anything to Eat or ...
... In between their regular meals in common they are especially careful that no one
should presume to gratify his palate with any food: [775] so that when they ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xviii how it is.htm

Whether the Order of Charity is Included in the Precept?
... Reply to Objection 1: A man gratifies more the person he loves more, so that if
he loved less one whom he ought to love more, he would wish to gratify more one ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the order of charity 2.htm

Actions to be Judged of from their Motive, not from Externals. ...
... He bore these things in order to gratify his fierce and ungoverned passions; they,
on the other hand, in order to restrain these passions and subdue them to ...
/.../chapter 13 name to be.htm

The Spirituality of the Risen Body.
... There is a still greater difference between the creatures that now gratify our senses,
and those that are reserved in heaven to gratify our glorified senses ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter vi the spirituality of.htm

Gratify (5 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To please; to give pleasure to; to satisfy; to soothe; to indulge; as, to
gratify the taste, the appetite, the senses, the desires, the mind, etc. ...
/g/gratify.htm - 8k

Indulge (12 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) to yield to the desire of; to gratify by compliance; to humor; to withhold
restraint from; as, to indulge children in their caprices or willfulness; to ...
/i/indulge.htm - 10k

Flatter (5 Occurrences)
... etc. 4. (vt) To treat with praise or blandishments; to gratify or attempt
to gratify the self-love or vanity of, esp. by artful ...
/f/flatter.htm - 8k

Vote (3 Occurrences)
... the vote of the Churches to travel with us, sharing our commission in the
administration of this generous gift to promote the Lord's glory and gratify our ...
/v/vote.htm - 8k

Oblige (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (vt) To bind by some favor rendered; to place under a debt; hence, to do a favor
to; to please; to gratify; to accommodate. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/o/oblige.htm - 7k

Gratified (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Gratify. Multi-Version Concordance
Gratified (4 Occurrences). Acts 12:3 Finding that this ...
/g/gratified.htm - 7k

Grate (6 Occurrences)
... 4; 35:16; 38:4, 5, 30). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (a.) Serving to gratify;
agreeable. 2. (n.) A structure or frame containing ...
/g/grate.htm - 10k

Gladden (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To make glad; to cheer; to please; to gratify;
to rejoice; to exhilarate. 2. (vi) To be or become glad; to rejoice. ...
/g/gladden.htm - 8k

Gratifying (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Gratify. Multi-Version
Concordance Gratifying (2 Occurrences). Acts 24:27 But after ...
/g/gratifying.htm - 7k

Generous (17 Occurrences)
... the vote of the Churches to travel with us, sharing our commission in the
administration of this generous gift to promote the Lord's glory and gratify our ...
/g/generous.htm - 11k

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Gratify: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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