The concept of indulgence, particularly in the context of self-gratification and excess, is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible. The term "indulge" often carries a negative connotation, warning against the dangers of succumbing to fleshly desires and the pursuit of worldly pleasures at the expense of spiritual well-being.

Biblical Warnings Against Indulgence

1. Fleshly Desires: The Bible frequently warns against indulging in the desires of the flesh. In Galatians 5:16-17 , the Apostle Paul writes, "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." This passage highlights the conflict between spiritual aspirations and carnal indulgence, urging believers to live by the Spirit to avoid the pitfalls of fleshly desires.

2. Worldly Pleasures: The pursuit of worldly pleasures is often depicted as a distraction from a righteous life. In 1 John 2:15-16 , it is written, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world." This passage warns against the indulgence in worldly attractions that can lead one away from God.

3. Self-Control: The Bible emphasizes the importance of self-control as a virtue that counters indulgence. In 2 Peter 1:5-6 , believers are encouraged to "make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness." Self-control is presented as an essential quality for spiritual growth and maturity.

Consequences of Indulgence

1. Spiritual Decline: Indulgence in sinful behaviors can lead to spiritual decline and separation from God. Romans 8:6 states, "The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace." This verse underscores the spiritual death that results from a life dominated by indulgence in fleshly desires.

2. Moral Corruption: Indulgence can lead to moral corruption and a hardened heart. Ephesians 4:19 describes those who have "lost all sense of shame" and "indulge in every kind of impurity with a craving for more." This highlights the progressive nature of indulgence, where initial compromises can lead to deeper moral decay.

Examples of Indulgence in Scripture

1. The Prodigal Son: In the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), the younger son indulges in reckless living, squandering his inheritance on worldly pleasures. His eventual destitution serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of indulgence and the redemptive power of repentance and return to the Father.

2. Solomon's Excesses: King Solomon, despite his wisdom, indulged in excessive wealth, women, and idolatry, which ultimately led to his spiritual downfall (1 Kings 11:1-11). His life serves as a reminder of the dangers of indulgence, even for those who possess great wisdom and favor.

Encouragement to Resist Indulgence

Believers are encouraged to resist indulgence by focusing on spiritual disciplines and the pursuit of holiness. Romans 13:14 advises, "Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh." This call to action emphasizes the need for intentional living and reliance on Christ to overcome the temptations of indulgence.

In summary, the Bible presents indulgence as a significant spiritual danger, urging believers to exercise self-control, pursue righteousness, and remain vigilant against the temptations of the flesh and the world.1. (v. t.) To be complacent toward; to give way to; not to oppose or restrain

2. (v. t.) to give free course to; to give one's self up to; as, to indulge sloth, pride, selfishness, or inclinations;

3. (v. t.) 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 indulge one's self with a rest or in pleasure.

4. (v. t.) To grant as by favor; to bestow in concession, or in compliance with a wish or request.

5. (v. i.) To indulge one's self; to gratify one's tastes or desires; esp., to give one's self up (to); to practice a forbidden or questionable act without restraint; -- followed by in, but formerly, also, by to.

4203. porneuo -- to commit fornication
... From porne; to act the harlot, ie (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex),
or (figuratively) practise idolatry -- commit (fornication). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4203.htm - 7k

5171. truphao -- to live luxuriously
... revel, live in pleasure. From truphe; to indulge in luxury -- live in pleasure.
see GREEK truphe. (etruphesate) -- 1 Occurrence. 5170, 5171. truphao. 5172 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5171.htm - 7k

4198. poreuomai -- to go
... 1), departed (1), departure (1), following (3), go (69), go on their way (1), go
away (1), goes (7), going (15), going away (2), gone (3), indulge (1), journey ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4198.htm - 10k

4684. spatalao -- to live riotously
... 4684 -- properly, to indulge in luxury (unneeded surplus). The , "The modern term ','
in which the notion of than that of sensual indulgence, .". ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4684.htm - 6k

6445. panaq -- to indulge, pamper
... 6444, 6445. panaq. 6446 . to indulge, pamper. Transliteration: panaq Phonetic
Spelling: (paw-nak') Short Definition: pampers. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/6445.htm - 5k

Let not the Pelagians Indulge Themselves in a Cruel Defence of ...
... Book II. Chapter 60."Let Not the Pelagians Indulge Themselves in a Cruel
Defence of Infants. As I said, however, let him entertain ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 60 let not the pelagians.htm

Stricken with Exceeding Grief, He Remembers the Dissolute Passions ...
... Book II. Chapter II."Stricken with Exceeding Grief, He Remembers the Dissolute
Passions in Which, in His Sixteenth Year, He Used to Indulge. ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter ii stricken with exceeding grief.htm

By what Judgment of God the Enemy was Permitted to Indulge his ...
... The City of God.Book I. Chapter 28."By What Judgment of God the Enemy Was Permitted
to Indulge His Lust on the Bodies of Continent Christians. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 28 by what judgment of.htm

Curiosity a Temptation to Sin.
... We indulge our reason, we indulge our passions, we indulge our ambition, our vanity,
our love of power; we throw ourselves into the society of bad, worldly, or ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon v curiosity a temptation.htm

The Body Saved, and Will Therefore Rise.
... But if the flesh do not rise, why is it also guarded, and why do we not rather
suffer it to indulge its desires? Why do we not imitate ...
/.../chapter x the body saved and.htm

With whom we are to Associate.
... and these panders serve without suspicion those that wish to be free to enjoy their
pleasures, because of the belief that they are unable to indulge in lust. ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter iv with whom we are.htm

The Opposite Opinion is Approved by None of the Ancient Doctors of ...
... (Against the two Epistles of the Pelagians, cap.10.) For this is "to perform that
which is good," that a man do not indulge in concupiscence or lust. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/the opposite opinion is approved.htm

Of the Two Classes of Voluptuous Men, and of their Death, Falling ...
... Chap. IV. I said to him, "Sir, explain this also to me." "What is it you ask?" he
said. "Whether, sir," I continued, "they who indulge in luxury, and who are ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/similitude sixth of the two.htm

General Character of Christians.
... the scheme which he advanced, tended to licentiousness"that if men might be saved
by faith without the works of the law, they might indulge themselves in sin ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xi general character of.htm

Full Redemption
... Nay, nay, my hearers, ye are not Christ's if ye have one tampered lust,
one sin which you fondly indulge. Sin you will, even though ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/full redemption.htm

Indulge (12 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) to give free course to; to give one's self up to; as, to indulge
sloth, pride, selfishness, or inclinations; 3. (vt) to ...
/i/indulge.htm - 10k

Over-indulge (1 Occurrence)
Over-indulge. Over-high, Over-indulge. Over-interested . Multi-Version
Concordance Over-indulge (1 Occurrence). Ephesians ...
/o/over-indulge.htm - 6k

Natures (12 Occurrences)
... Galatians 5:16 This then is what I mean. Let your lives be guided by the Spirit,
and then you will certainly not indulge the cravings of your lower natures. ...
/n/natures.htm - 10k

Cravings (17 Occurrences)
... Galatians 5:16 This then is what I mean. Let your lives be guided by the Spirit,
and then you will certainly not indulge the cravings of your lower natures. ...
/c/cravings.htm - 11k

Lower (72 Occurrences)
... Galatians 5:16 This then is what I mean. Let your lives be guided by the Spirit,
and then you will certainly not indulge the cravings of your lower natures. ...
/l/lower.htm - 30k

Over-interested (3 Occurrences)
Over-interested. Over-indulge, Over-interested. Overjoyed . Multi-Version
Concordance ... Over-indulge, Over-interested. Overjoyed . Reference Bible.
/o/over-interested.htm - 7k

Over-high (3 Occurrences)
Over-high. Overhearing, Over-high. Over-indulge . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Overhearing, Over-high. Over-indulge . Reference Bible.
/o/over-high.htm - 7k

Laugh (23 Occurrences)
... a lighting up of the face and eyes, and usually accompanied by the emission of
explosive or chuckling sounds from the chest and throat; to indulge in laughter. ...
/l/laugh.htm - 13k

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

Guided (86 Occurrences)
... Galatians 5:16 This then is what I mean. Let your lives be guided by the Spirit,
and then you will certainly not indulge the cravings of your lower natures. ...
/g/guided.htm - 31k

What sort of pagan revelry did the Israelites indulge in (Exodus 32:6)? | GotQuestions.org

What are the consequences of sin? | GotQuestions.org

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

Indulge: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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