Self-indulgence (2)

The desire to satisfy selfish cravings

Ephesians 2:3 NKJV

among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

See also ; ; ; ; ;

Examples of self-indulgent desires

Selfish ambition

James 3:14–16 NKJV

But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

See also ; ;

The desire for one’s own way

Isaiah 56:11–12 NKJV

Yes, they are greedy dogs Which never have enough. And they are shepherds Who cannot understand; They all look to their own way, Every one for his own gain, From his own territory. “Come,” one says, “I will bring wine, And we will fill ourselves with intoxicating drink; Tomorrow will be as today, And much more abundant.”

See also ; ;

The desire for sexual gratification

Galatians 5:19 NKJV

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,

See also

Israelites’ immorality with Moabite women:

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David’s adultery with Bathsheba; Amnon’s rape of Tamar; the lure of the adulteress; sexual sin in the church at Corinth; sexual desires of false teachers

The desire for wealth

James 5:3–5 NKJV

Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.

See also Achan; Samuel’s sons; Jehoiakim, king of Judah; the people of Judah; false teachers in Crete

Indulgence in food and drink

Isaiah 22:13 NKJV

But instead, joy and gladness, Slaying oxen and killing sheep, Eating meat and drinking wine: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”

See also ;

Abandoning restraint

Ephesians 4:19 NKJV

who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

See also ; ;

The consequences of self-indulgence

Self-indulgence proves futile

Ecclesiastes 2:1–11 NKJV

I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure”; but surely, this also was vanity. I said of laughter—“Madness!”; and of mirth, “What does it accomplish?” I searched in my heart how to gratify my flesh with wine, while guiding my heart with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives. I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards. I made myself gardens and orchards, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made myself water pools from which to water the growing trees of the grove. I acquired male and female servants, and had servants born in my house. Yes, I had greater possessions of herds and flocks than all who were in Jerusalem before me. I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of the provinces. I acquired male and female singers, the delights of the sons of men, and musical instruments of all kinds. So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my reward from all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun.

See also

Self-indulgence leads to ruin

Proverbs 21:17 NKJV

He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

See also ; ; ; ;

Self-indulgence brings God’s judgment

Romans 2:8 NKJV

but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath,

See also ; ; God’s judgment on Nebuchadnezzar’s selfish pride; God’s judgment on Israel’s pampered upper-class women; God’s judgment on Israel’s self-indulgent nobility;

Dealing with self-indulgence

Receiving new life through Jesus Christ

Dealing with self-indulgence requires an inner transformation.

See also ;

Romans 13:14 NKJV

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

See also ;

Living in accordance with the Spirit:

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Seeking God’s will

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Self-control

1 Thessalonians 4:3–5 NKJV

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God;

See also ; ; ;

Ruthless self-denial

Colossians 3:5 NKJV

Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

See also ; ;

Consideration for others

Galatians 5:13 NKJV

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

See also ;

Generosity

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