Self-indulgence

We have already noticed (above) that the way of the world and the way of unregenerate humanity is to live a self-centered, self-directed life, whereas when we are born again of the Spirit (John 3:3-7) and become a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17), we begin to have Jesus Christ as the center of our life and activities.

When self is the center of one’s life and he directs his choices, his pastimes, his hobbies, his employment, his diet, his driving, his entertainment, and everything else in life will be according to what pleases him—rather than what pleases God.  The person will indulge “the desires of the flesh and of the mind” and will become a child of wrath, subject to the righteous wrath of God (Ephesians 2:3). He will have a “defilement of flesh and spirit” when he indulges self (2 Corinthians 7:1).  In contrast, Peter says that we are to “live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God” (1 Peter 4:2).

To indulge the self or the flesh means to yield to fleshly lusts and cater to one’s carnal appetites.  This self-indulging attitude is of the world, “the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life,” all of which is passing away, but “the one who does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:15-17).  Instead of indulging the self, the essence of sin, let us seek the Lord with all of our heart. Let us allow Him to be the very center of our life, which will be manifested in a loving attitude toward others.