Throwing off restraint and discipline and yielding to the desire to gratify selfish appetites and cravings. Scripture warns against such a characteristic and urges, instead, self-control, generosity and consideration for others.
The desire to satisfy selfish cravings
Ephesians 2:3 See also Romans 7:8, Romans 16:18; Titus 3:3; James 1:14; 2 Peter 2:18–19; 1 John 2:16
All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.
Examples of self-indulgent desires
Selfish ambition
James 3:14–16 See also Proverbs 18:1; Galatians 5:20; Philippians 1:17
But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
The desire for one's own way
Isaiah 56:11–12 See also Deuteronomy 29:19; Esther 1:10–12; James 4:1–3
Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain: “Come, let me get the wine, let us imbibe the strong drink, and tomorrow will be like today, only far better!”
The desire for sexual gratification
Galatians 5:19 See also Genesis 19:5NUM Genesis 25:1; 1 Corinthians 10:8 2 Samuel 11:2–4 David's adultery with Bathsheba; 2 Samuel 13:11–14 Amnon's rape of Tamar; Proverbs 7:16–18 the lure of the adulteress; 2 Corinthians 12:21 sexual sin in the church at Corinth; 2 Peter 2:14 sexual desires of false teachers
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;
The desire for wealth
James 5:3–5 See also Joshua 7:21 Achan; 1 Samuel 8:3 Samuel's sons; Jeremiah 22:17 Jehoiakim, king of Judah; Haggai 1:4 the people of Judah; Titus 1:11 false teachers in Crete
Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in the day of slaughter.
Indulgence in food and drink
Isaiah 22:13 See also Proverbs 23:20; Ecclesiastes 6:7
But look, there is joy and gladness, butchering of cattle and slaughtering of sheep, eating of meat and drinking of wine: “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”
Abandoning restraint
Ephesians 4:19 See also Romans 1:26–31; 2 Timothy 3:1–4; Jude 1:7
Having lost all sense of shame, they have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more.
The consequences of self-indulgence
Self-indulgence proves futile
Ecclesiastes 2:1–11 See also Luke 12:18–21
Self-indulgence leads to ruin
Proverbs 21:17 See also Proverbs 6:26, Proverbs 23:21, Proverbs 23:29–32; Luke 15:13–16; 1 Timothy 5:6
He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.
Self-indulgence brings God's judgment
Romans 2:8 See also Proverbs 5:20–21; Philippians 3:19; Daniel 4:29–32 God's judgment on Nebuchadnezzar's selfish pride; Amos 4:1–2 God's judgment on Israel's pampered upper-class women; Amos 6:4–7 God's judgment on Israel's self-indulgent nobility; Luke 12:19–20
But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger.
Dealing with self-indulgence
Receiving new life through Jesus Christ
Matthew 23:25 Dealing with self-indulgence requires an inner transformation. See also Romans 12:2; Colossians 2:21–23Romans 13:14 See also Galatians 5:24; Titus 2:11–12ROM Titus 8:5; Galatians 5:16
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.
Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.
Seeking God's will
Psalm 119:36; 1 Peter 1:14, 1 Peter 4:2
Self-control
1 Thessalonians 4:3–5 See also Proverbs 23:4; 1 Corinthians 9:25–27; 1 Peter 4:7; 2 Peter 1:6
For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God;
Ruthless self-denial
Colossians 3:5 See also Daniel 1:8; Matthew 5:28–29; 1 Peter 2:11
Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.
Consideration for others
Galatians 5:13 See also 1 Corinthians 10:23–24; Philippians 2:3–4
For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.
Generosity
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.