Many Bible verses allude to the potential dangers and consequences of excess, generally urging moderation, contentment, and self-control instead of over-indulgence. The Bible imparts that while the physical and material pleasures of life aren’t inherently evil, when they become an individual’s main focus at the expense of spiritual development, they could ultimately lead to detrimental outcomes.
What the Bible Teaches About Excess
The Bible often presents excess as a form of idolatry, replacing the rightful importance of God with worldly pleasures. The Bible teaches that excess in any form, whether it be food, drink, wealth, or any other form of consumption, can lead to negative consequences. It highlights that excessive desires can distract from worthy pursuits of doing good deeds, exhibiting love, and living a life of righteousness before God. The Bible underlines that excess can lead to an overindulgent lifestyle, which may hinder spiritual growth and decrease the ability to serve others genuinely and compassionately.
Why Moderation is Encouraged in the Bible
The Bible encourages moderation as a healthier, more balanced way of life. This means believers should avoid extremes in all things, allowing for a more focused and committed relationship with God. Moderation, according to the Bible, helps maintain balance between physical and spiritual needs, fostering gratitude, contentment, and sanctity. It discourages excessive accumulation of material things, distractions, or harmful behaviors, instead advocating for living within one’s means and stewardship of one’s resources.
Where Excess leads According to the Bible
The Bible outlines that living in excess can lead to a host of problems including wastefulness, greed, materialism, dissatisfaction, and disconnection from God. The Bible illustrates that societal and personal issues can result from excessive living. In many instances, the Bible warns against greed and selfishness, both of which often accompany excess. The potential physical and spiritual harm caused by living in excess can affect families, communities, and individual relationships with God.
Who is Admonished for Excess in the Bible
Several bible characters fell into the trap of excess and subsequently faced harsh realities. These include figures who, out of greed or craving for worldly possessions, made decisions that led to their downfall. They were not criticized for possessing resources, but for the excessive, sinful behavior that accompanied their prosperity. Their stories caution individuals today to guard against excess, demonstrating that such behavior does not align with God’s design for a fruitful, fulfilling, and righteous life.
When the Bible Promotes Contentment over Excess
The Bible consistently reminds believers to find contentment in God’s provision rather than chasing excessive worldly wealth or pleasures. Contentment, as explained in the Bible, implies peace and satisfaction that can only be found by seeking God, cultivating a personal relationship with him, and trusting in his provision. The act of being content, even in lack or scarcity, is often emphasized over excess as it encourages humility, self-control, and the appreciation of what one already has.
Below is the full list of bible verses on excess (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Excess
1 John 2:15-17
“15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
Related Themes: Lust Pride Money Social Justice
Ephesians 5:18
“18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”
Related Themes: Holy Spirit Health Indulgence Drugs Self-Control
Luke 12:15
“15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Greed Lust Materialism
Romans 12:2
“2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Related Themes: Complaining Lust Creativity Attitude Business
Proverbs 20:1
“1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”
Related Themes: Holiness Addiction Health Quitting Indulgence
1 Peter 4:3
“3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Indulgence Gluttony Idolatry
1 Timothy 5:23
“23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.”
Related Themes: Health Moderation Alcoholism Healing
Titus 1:7
“7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;”
Related Themes: Stewardship Greed Bitterness Integrity Anger
1 Corinthians 5:11
“11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.”
Related Themes: Dating Acceptance Money Tolerance Reputation
Proverbs 25:16
“16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.”
Related Themes: Gluttony Health Temperance Food Moderation
Galatians 5:19-21
“19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Lust Bitterness Adultery
Galatians 5:16
“16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
Related Themes: Lust Sin Holy Spirit Indulgence
Philippians 4:5
“5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.”
Related Themes: Reputation Indulgence Gentleness Gluttony Moderation
1 Peter 2:11
“11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;”
Related Themes: Lust Strangers Reputation Addiction Morality
Matthew 11:19
“19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.”
Related Themes: Gluttony
1 Corinthians 6:19
“19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”
Related Themes: Holy Spirit Lust Health Holiness Omnipresence
Proverbs 23:31
“31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.”
Titus 2:11-12
“11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”
Related Themes: Lust Reaping Self-Control Lust
Proverbs 31:4
“4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:”
Related Themes: Trespassing
