The concept of being "indulged" in the Bible often carries a negative connotation, associated with self-gratification and the pursuit of desires that are contrary to God's will. The Bible warns against indulging in sinful behaviors and encourages believers to exercise self-control and live according to the Spirit.

Indulgence in Sinful Desires

The Apostle Paul addresses the issue of indulgence in the flesh in several of his epistles. In Galatians 5:16-17 , he 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. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want." Here, Paul contrasts the desires of the flesh with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, urging believers to resist indulging in sinful desires.

In Ephesians 2:3 , Paul further elaborates on the nature of indulgence, stating, "All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath." This passage highlights the pre-conversion state of believers, who once indulged in the desires of the flesh, leading to spiritual death and separation from God.

Indulgence and Idolatry

Indulgence is often linked with idolatry, as it involves placing one's desires above God's commandments. In Colossians 3:5 , Paul instructs, "Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry." Indulging in these behaviors is equated with idolatry because it elevates personal desires above the worship and obedience due to God.

The Call to Self-Control

The Bible consistently calls believers to exercise self-control as a fruit of the Spirit. In 1 Peter 4:3 , Peter reminds believers of their past indulgences, saying, "For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles, living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry." He urges them to live differently, in accordance with God's will.

The Apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of self-control in 1 Corinthians 9:25 , where he writes, "Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one." This metaphor of athletic discipline serves as an encouragement for believers to practice self-control in their spiritual lives.

Indulgence and the Consequences

The Bible warns of the consequences of indulgence in sinful behaviors. In Romans 6:21 , Paul asks, "What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!" Indulgence in sin leads to spiritual death and separation from God, contrasting with the life and peace offered through obedience to the Spirit.

Conclusion

While the Bible acknowledges the reality of human desires, it consistently calls believers to resist indulgence in sinful behaviors and to pursue a life of holiness and self-control. By walking in the Spirit and adhering to God's commandments, believers can overcome the temptations of the flesh and live in a manner that honors God.(imp. & p. p.) of Indulge.1608. ekporneuo -- mid. to give oneself up to fornication
... Word Origin from ek and porneuo Definition mid. to give oneself up to fornication
NASB Word Usage gross immorality (1), indulged in gross immorality (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1608.htm - 6k

Christ's Conversation with the Pharisees in Regard to the Mode of ...
... Section 137. Christ's Conversation with the Pharisees in regard to the Mode
of Life indulged by his Disciples. "The Morality of Fasting. ...
/.../section 137 christs conversation with.htm

Of the Follies which the Pagans have Indulged in Regarding Jupiter ...
... the harmony of the gospels.Book I. Chapter XXIII."Of the Follies Which the
Pagans Have Indulged in Regarding Jupiter and Saturn. 31. ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxiii of the follies which.htm

Some Hair-Splitting Use of Words in which his Opponent had ...
... Chapter XXVII."Some Hair-Splitting Use of Words in Which His Opponent
Had Indulged. But you next praise your eyebrows, and toss ...
/.../tertullian/against hermogenes/chapter xxvii some hair-splitting use of.htm

The Life of Mr. John Welwood.
... Anno 1677, there was an Erastian meeting of the actually indulged and non-indulged,
procured by the indulged and their favourites, in order to get unity made ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr john 10.htm

The Life of Mr. Richard Cameron.
... He sometimes attended the sermons of the indulged, as he had opportunity; but at
last it pleased the Lord to incline him to go out to hear the persecuted ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr richard.htm

Attributes of Selfishness.
... But from this it by no means follows, that all of the propensities will be
indiscriminately indulged, and thereby greatly developed. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xvii attributes of selfishness.htm

The Latest Improved.
... Not seeing the evil of it, he indulged the thought, and found pleasure in the
indulgence. ... It was so pleasing that he indulged it a little longer than before. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/the latest improved.htm

Epistle Lvii. From John, Bishop of Ravenna to Pope Gregory .
... You have alleged, then, that I, ambitious of novelty, have usurped the use of
the pallium beyond what had been indulged to my predecessors. ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle lvii from john bishop.htm

Letter xx. Self-Examination.
... Have I, at any time this day, indulged vain or worldly thoughts? ... Have I
indulged undue anxiety about the affairs of this world? ...
/.../letter xx self-examination.htm

The Life of Mr. Alexander Shields.
... finding little encouragement this way for any who could not in conscience join with
prelacy, or the prevailing defections of those called the indulged, he took ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr alexander 4.htm

Indulged (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Indulge. Multi-Version Concordance
Indulged (3 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 12:21 that again ...
/i/indulged.htm - 7k

Indulge (12 Occurrences)

/i/indulge.htm - 10k

Luxuriously (6 Occurrences)
... (DBY). James 5:5 Ye have lived luxuriously on the earth and indulged yourselves;
ye have nourished your hearts as in a day of slaughter; (DBY NAS). ...
/l/luxuriously.htm - 8k

Innocents (2 Occurrences)
... as "the Innocents" (Commentary on Psalm 43:5). The ecclesiastical treatment of the
incident is remarkable because of the exaggeration which was indulged in as ...
/i/innocents.htm - 20k

Indulgence (3 Occurrences)

/i/indulgence.htm - 8k

Eliphaz (14 Occurrences)
... In the third speech he is moved by the exigencies of his theory to impute actual
frauds and crimes to Job, iniquities indulged in because God was too far away ...
/e/eliphaz.htm - 15k

Dainty (7 Occurrences)
... By their associations and their softening effects they are to be abstained from
or indulged in moderately as "deceitful food" by those who would live the ...
/d/dainty.htm - 10k

Dainties (14 Occurrences)
... By their associations and their softening effects they are to be abstained from
or indulged in moderately as "deceitful food" by those who would live the ...
/d/dainties.htm - 12k

Meats (9 Occurrences)
... By their associations and their softening effects they are to be abstained from
or indulged in moderately as "deceitful food" by those who would live the ...
/m/meats.htm - 11k

Massacre (1 Occurrence)
... as "the Innocents" (Commentary on Psalm 43:5). The ecclesiastical treatment of the
incident is remarkable because of the exaggeration which was indulged in as ...
/m/massacre.htm - 20k

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