Indulgence is a complex subject, frequently misunderstood due to its varied portrayals in the Bible. It pertains to the notion of excessive fulfilment of desires and often carries overtones of greed, gluttony, or debauchery. Bible verses about indulgence illuminate the dangers of unrestrained pleasure-seeking and highlight the importance of moderation, discipline, and spiritual focus.
What Indulgence Represents in the Bible
The Bible conveys indulgence as yielding to human desires above spiritual commitments—often typified by excessive drinking, eating, or other forms of pleasure seeking. The overarching message provides a warning against letting earthly desires dominate our lives and detract from spiritual growth. Indulgence is viewed as a slippery slope that can lead to moral decay and spiritual blindness, promoting an ephemeral, pleasure-centric living over a life steered by faith and obedience to God.
Where the Bible Stands on Indulgence
The Bible discusses indulgence in various contexts, voicing a word of caution against it every time. It teaches that indulgence breeds selfishness, as individuals overly occupied with their desires tend to neglect the needs and well-being of others. The Bible emphasizes virtue, encouraging believers to resist the temptation of self-indulgence and engage in practices promoting self-control, respect, and service to others.
Why the Bible Encourages Restraint and Moderation
The Bible advocates restraint and moderation as vital components of a healthy spiritual life. It persistently warns of the perils of self-indulgence and instructs followers to exercise control over their desires. The central theme underpinning these teachings is that an uncontrolled pursuit of earthly pleasures can destabilize one’s life, causing harm not only to oneself but also to one’s relationships with others and with God. The Bible elucidates that true happiness and fulfillment lie in a balanced life; one that incorporates both earthly necessities and spiritual obligations.
When Does the Bible Advise Against Indulgence
The Bible advises against indulgence at all times. It does not endorse a way of life steeped in over-indulgence and urges followers to avoid falling into the trap of material and sensual pleasures. From the perspective of the Bible, controlling one’s appetite for worldly pleasures is requisite to leading a righteous life and establishing an honest and unclouded relationship with God. The Bible advises against undue indulgence not only for its detrimental effects on spiritual wellbeing but also due to the potential for physical harm, such as health issues that might arise from over-eating or excessive drinking.
Who the Bible Asks to Refrain from Indulgence
The Bible urges everyone, regardless of their social or economic status, to avoid indulging in excessive pleasures. This applies to both individuals and communities, with the Bible promoting moderation as a virtue to be adopted by all. The Bible imparts the lesson that self-control, discipline, and focusing on spiritual growth contribute to a satisfying and balanced life. It fosters the understanding that giving in to indulgence can lead to self-destruction and warns that surrendering to excessive desires can steer one away from God’s path.
Below is our full list of bible verses on indulgence (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Indulgence
Matthew 23:25
“25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.”
1 Timothy 5:6
“6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.”
1 Timothy 6:10
“10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
Revelation 18:7
“7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.”
Acts 17:10-11
“10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Criticism Omnipotence Frustration Lust
1 John 1:9
“9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Related Themes: Repentance Forgiveness Bitterness Lust Attitude
Galatians 5:19
“19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Lust Bitterness Adultery
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 23:21
“21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.”
Colossians 3:2
“2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
Proverbs 21:17
“17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.”
Colossians 3:5
“5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:”
John 3:16
“16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Life Love Money Omnipotence
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
Philippians 3:19
“19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)”
Related Themes: Gluttony Overeating Gluttony
Proverbs 20:1
“1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”
Ephesians 5:18
“18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”
Related Themes: Holy Spirit Health Drugs Self-Control
Isaiah 56:11-12
“11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.”
Titus 3:3
“3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.”
Related Themes: Lust Bitterness Testimony Envy
James 5:5
“5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.”
Related Themes: Lust
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 23:20
“20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:”
Matthew 7:12
“12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”
Related Themes: Criticism Gossip Respect Respecting Your Parents Morality
Isaiah 22:13
“13 And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.”
Related Themes: Gluttony
1 John 2:16
“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.”
1 Corinthians 9:27
“27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
Related Themes: Lust Self-Control Discipline Self Discipline
Ephesians 2:8-9
“8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Related Themes: Faith Grace Life Pride Repentance
Romans 13:14
“14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
Ephesians 4:19
“19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.”
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
