The term "inflame" in a biblical context often refers to the stirring up of emotions, passions, or actions, typically in a negative sense. It can denote the arousal of anger, lust, or other intense feelings that lead individuals away from righteousness and towards sin. The Bible provides numerous examples and warnings about the dangers of inflamed passions and the consequences they can bring.

Anger and Wrath

One of the most common uses of "inflame" in Scripture is in relation to anger and wrath. The Bible frequently warns against allowing anger to take hold and lead to sin. In Ephesians 4:26-27 , Paul advises, "Be angry, yet do not sin. Do not let the sun set upon your anger, and do not give the devil a foothold." This passage highlights the potential for anger to be inflamed into something more destructive if not controlled.

Proverbs 15:18 states, "A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms a dispute." Here, the inflaming of anger is contrasted with the peace brought by patience and self-control. The inflamed anger leads to conflict and division, while restraint fosters harmony.

Lust and Desires

Inflamed desires, particularly of a sexual nature, are also addressed in Scripture. James 1:14-15 explains the progression of sin: "But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." This passage illustrates how inflamed desires can lead to sinful actions and ultimately spiritual death.

The account of David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11 serves as a cautionary tale of inflamed lust leading to a series of grievous sins, including adultery and murder. David's inability to control his inflamed desires resulted in severe consequences for himself and others.

Tongue and Speech

The Bible also speaks of the tongue as a small member that can inflame great destruction. James 3:5-6 warns, "In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body." This vivid imagery underscores the power of words to inflame situations, spread discord, and cause harm.

Jealousy and Envy

Jealousy and envy are other emotions that can be inflamed, leading to destructive outcomes. Proverbs 27:4 states, "Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?" The inflaming of jealousy can lead to irrational behavior and conflict, as seen in the account of Joseph and his brothers in Genesis 37. Their inflamed jealousy over Joseph's favored status led them to sell him into slavery.

Righteous Indignation

While the Bible often warns against inflamed passions leading to sin, there are instances where righteous indignation is portrayed positively. Jesus' cleansing of the temple in John 2:13-17 is an example where His inflamed zeal for God's house led to the expulsion of the money changers. This act was not born out of sinful anger but a holy passion for the sanctity of worship.

Conclusion

The concept of being inflamed in the Bible serves as a reminder of the importance of self-control and the dangers of allowing emotions and desires to lead us away from God's will. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, believers are called to exercise restraint and pursue righteousness, avoiding the pitfalls of inflamed passions.1. (v. t.) To set on fire; to kindle; to cause to burn, flame, or glow.

2. (v. t.) Fig.: To kindle or intensify, as passion or appetite; to excite to an excessive or unnatural action or heat; as, to inflame desire.

3. (v. t.) To provoke to anger or rage; to exasperate; to irritate; to incense; to enrage.

4. (v. t.) To put in a state of inflammation; to produce morbid heat, congestion, or swelling, of; as, to inflame the eyes by overwork.

5. (v. t.) To exaggerate; to enlarge upon.

6. (v. i.) To grow morbidly hot, congested, or painful; to become angry or incensed.

INFLAME; ENFLAME

in-flam', en-flam' (dalaq): "To inflame" in the meaning "to excite passion" is found in Isaiah 5:11, "till wine inflame them." In some the King James Version passages (e.g. Isaiah 57:5) we find "enflaming" with the same meaning; compare the King James Version Susanna verse 8 and Sirach 28:10 the King James Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "inflame").

5394. phlogizo from NG5395 -- set on fire.
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: phlogizo from NG5395 Phonetic Spelling:
(flog-id'-zo) Short Definition: I inflame, fire with passion Definition: I inflame ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5394.htm - 6k

1572. ekkaio -- to kindle, to be inflamed
... Word Origin from ek and kaio Definition to kindle, to be inflamed NASB Word Usage
burned (1). burn. From ek and kaio; to inflame deeply -- burn. see GREEK ek. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1572.htm - 6k

1814. dalaq -- to burn, hotly pursue
... to burn, hotly pursue NASB Word Usage burning (1), chased (1), chasing (1), fiery
shafts (1), hotly pursue (1), hotly pursued (1), inflame (1), kindle (1), set ...
/hebrew/1814.htm - 6k

2552. chamam -- to be or become warm
... root Definition to be or become warm NASB Word Usage became warm (1), become heated
(1), grew hot (1), heat (1), hot (6), inflame (1), keep warm (3), mated (2 ...
/hebrew/2552.htm - 6k

6919. qadach -- to be kindled, kindle
... kindled (2), kindles (1). burn, kindle. A primitive root to inflame -- burn,
kindle. 6918, 6919. qadach. 6920 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6919.htm - 5k

The Melitians and the Arians Agree in Sentiment; Eusebius and ...
... Book II. Chapter XXI."The Melitians and the Arians agree in Sentiment; Eusebius
and Theognis endeavor to inflame anew the Disease of Arius. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xxi the melitians and the.htm

Of the Anger of God, which Does not Inflame his Mind, nor Disturb ...
... Book XV. Chapter 25."Of the Anger of God, Which Does Not Inflame His Mind,
Nor Disturb His Unchangeable Tranquillity. The anger ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 25 of the anger of.htm

The Sixteenth Chapter: we Should Show Our Needs to Christ and Ask ...
... Feed Your hungry beggar. Inflame my coldness with the fire of Your love.
Enlighten my blindness with the brightness of Your presence. ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the sixteenth chapter we should.htm

The Same Pope Also Wrote to King Edwin's Consort...
... of the Lord, for that He has vouchsafed, in your confession, to kindle a spark of
the orthodox religion, by which He might the more easily inflame with the ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xi the same pope.htm

A Daily Constant Exercise.
... Possess my memory and understanding, and inflame my will and affections with
Thy love. ... Inflame me with the fire of Thy most fervent love. ...
/.../a daily constant exercise.htm

Of Meditation --The First Degree of Prayer or Mystical Theology.
... and by a most laborious occupation fill themselves with vanity, not being able to
resist curiosity: but there are few who meditate to inflame their heart with ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter ii of meditationthe first.htm

The Tongue.
... leaf, there is concentrated the quintessence of a poison so subtle that the microscope
cannot distinguish it, and yet so virulent that it can inflame the blood ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/robertson/sermons preached at brighton/i the tongue.htm

Epistle xxv. Moyses, Maximus, Nicostratus, and the Other ...
... Cyprian's Letter. Martyrdom is Not a Punishment, But a Happiness. The Words
of the Gospel are Brands to Inflame Faith. In the Case ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle xxv moyses maximus nicostratus.htm

Acts xix. 21, 23
... theatre." (v.29). Such is the way with vulgar minds, any trivial occasion shall
hurry them away and inflame their passions. Therefore [983 ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xlii acts xix 21.htm

A Relation of My Imprisonment in the Month of November 1660
... His blessed grace, some encouragement by His blessing thereupon; the devil, that
old enemy of man's salvation, took his opportunity to inflame the hearts of ...
/.../grace abounding to the chief of sinners/a relation of my imprisonment.htm

Inflame (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) Fig.: To kindle or intensify, as passion or appetite; to excite to an excessive
or unnatural action or heat; as, to inflame desire. ...INFLAME; ENFLAME. ...
/i/inflame.htm - 8k

Enflame
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia INFLAME; ENFLAME. in-flam', en-flam'
(dalaq): "To inflame" in the meaning "to excite passion" is ...
/e/enflame.htm - 6k

Inflamed (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) of Inflame. 2. (pa) Set on fire;
enkindled; heated; congested; provoked; exasperated. 3 ...
/i/inflamed.htm - 9k

Incense (167 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To set on fire; to inflame; to kindle; to burn. 2. (vt) To inflame with
anger; to enkindle; to fire; to incite; to provoke; to heat; to madden. ...
/i/incense.htm - 44k

Infirmity (22 Occurrences)

/i/infirmity.htm - 15k

Kindle (25 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) Fig.: To inflame, as the passions; to rouse; to provoke; to excite to action;
to heat; to fire; to animate; to incite; as, to kindle anger or wrath; to ...
/k/kindle.htm - 15k

Oaks (14 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 57:5 you who inflame yourselves among the oaks, under every green tree; who
kill the children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks? ...
/o/oaks.htm - 10k

Leafy (22 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). Isaiah 57:5 ye that inflame yourselves among the oaks, under every green
tree; that slay the children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks? ...
/l/leafy.htm - 12k

Irritate (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To annoy; to inflame; to render null and
void. 2. (vt) To increase the action or violence of; to ...
/i/irritate.htm - 7k

Fire (602 Occurrences)
... fire pottery. 12. (vt) To inflame; to irritate, as the passions; as, to
fire the soul with anger, pride, or revenge. 13. (vt) To ...
/f/fire.htm - 78k

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