Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "gratify" often relates to the desires and inclinations of the flesh, contrasting with the spiritual aspirations that align with God's will. The concept of gratifying the flesh is frequently addressed in Scripture, warning believers against succumbing to worldly desires that lead away from a life of holiness and obedience to God.
Biblical References:1.
Galatians 5:16-17 : "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want." This passage highlights the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit, urging believers to live by the Spirit to avoid gratifying sinful desires.
2.
Romans 13:14 : "Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh." Here, the Apostle Paul instructs Christians to focus on embodying Christ-like virtues, thereby resisting the temptation to gratify fleshly desires.
3.
Ephesians 2:3 : "All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath." This verse reflects on the past life of believers before coming to faith, emphasizing the transformation that occurs when one turns away from gratifying the flesh.
Theological Implications:The act of gratifying the flesh is often associated with sin and rebellion against God. It represents a life driven by self-centered desires rather than a life surrendered to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Bible consistently calls believers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Christ (
Matthew 16:24), which involves resisting the urge to gratify sinful inclinations.
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to cultivate spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, and studying Scripture to strengthen their resolve against the temptations of the flesh. By doing so, they align their lives more closely with God's purposes and experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. The pursuit of holiness involves a conscious decision to prioritize spiritual growth over the fleeting pleasures of the world.
Contrast with Worldly Views:In contrast to the biblical perspective, contemporary culture often promotes the idea of self-gratification as a means to personal fulfillment and happiness. This worldview can lead to a focus on materialism, hedonism, and self-indulgence, which are contrary to the teachings of Scripture. Christians are called to be counter-cultural, living lives that reflect the values of the Kingdom of God rather than the transient values of the world.
Conclusion:The biblical teaching on gratifying the flesh serves as a reminder of the ongoing spiritual battle faced by believers. By choosing to walk by the Spirit, Christians can overcome the desires of the flesh and live in a manner that honors God, reflecting His love and righteousness to the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To please; to give pleasure to; to satisfy; to soothe; to indulge; as, to gratify the taste, the appetite, the senses, the desires, the mind, etc.
2. (v. t.) To requite; to recompense.
Greek
2100. euaresteo -- to be well-pleasing... Cognate: 2100 -- to please (
gratify) by . We only please the Lord by living
("His inworked persuasions/preferences").
...gratify, please.
...3685. oninemi -- to profit, help
... form (onao) is used as an alternate in some tenses (unless indeed it be identical
with the base of onoma through the idea of notoriety); togratify, ie (middle...
829. authades -- self-pleasing
... 829 (an adjective, derived from 846 , "self" and , "togratify self, be indulgent") --
properly, a person who , ie fixed in -pleasure (engrossed in -interest)....
Library
Epiphanius, in Order toGratify Theophilus, Performs Ordinations...
... Book VI. Chapter XII."Epiphanius, in order togratify Theophilus, performs
Ordinations at Constantinople without John's Permission....
Peter is Willing toGratify Sophonias.
... Homily XX. Chapter I."Peter is Willing toGratify Sophonias. In the
night-time Peter rose up and wakened us, and then sat down...
Attributes of Love.
... God. It is willing good as an end, for its own sake, and not togratify self.
Selfishness... It is only an effort togratify a desire. It is...
The Important Question
... The man we speak of may, therefore, be supposed to have gained all that will
gratify his senses. In particular, all that can increase...
What Constitutes Disobedience to Moral Law?
... This is selfishness. In other words, it is seeking togratify the desire
of personal good, in a manner prohibited by the law of God....
A Boy's Mistake --A Sad Reconciliation.
... At last the mother came down to her sick-bed, broken-hearted, and when she was given
up by the physicians to die, the husband, anxious togratify her last wish...
How it is against the Rule for any one to Take Anything to Eat or...
... In between their regular meals in common they are especially careful that no one
should presume togratify his palate with any food: [775] so that when they...
Whether the Order of Charity is Included in the Precept?
... Reply to Objection 1: A man gratifies more the person he loves more, so that if
he loved less one whom he ought to love more, he would wish togratify more one...
Actions to be Judged of from their Motive, not from Externals....
... He bore these things in order togratify his fierce and ungoverned passions; they,
on the other hand, in order to restrain these passions and subdue them to...
The Spirituality of the Risen Body.
... There is a still greater difference between the creatures that nowgratify our senses,
and those that are reserved in heaven togratify our glorified senses...
Thesaurus
Gratify (5 Occurrences)... 1. (vt) To please; to give pleasure to; to satisfy; to soothe; to indulge; as, to
gratify the taste, the appetite, the senses, the desires, the mind, etc.
...Indulge (12 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) to yield to the desire of; togratify by compliance; to humor; to withhold
restraint from; as, to indulge children in their caprices or willfulness; to...
Flatter (5 Occurrences)
... etc. 4. (vt) To treat with praise or blandishments; togratify or attempt
togratify the self-love or vanity of, esp. by artful...
Vote (3 Occurrences)
... the vote of the Churches to travel with us, sharing our commission in the
administration of this generous gift to promote the Lord's glory andgratify our...
Oblige (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (vt) To bind by some favor rendered; to place under a debt; hence, to do a favor
to; to please; togratify; to accommodate. Multi-Version Concordance...
Gratified (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofGratify. Multi-Version Concordance
Gratified (4 Occurrences). Acts 12:3 Finding that this...
Grate (6 Occurrences)
... 4; 35:16; 38:4, 5, 30). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (a.) Serving togratify;
agreeable. 2. (n.) A structure or frame containing...
Gladden (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To make glad; to cheer; to please; togratify;
to rejoice; to exhilarate. 2. (vi) To be or become glad; to rejoice....
Gratifying (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) ofGratify. Multi-Version
Concordance Gratifying (2 Occurrences). Acts 24:27 But after...
Generous (17 Occurrences)
... the vote of the Churches to travel with us, sharing our commission in the
administration of this generous gift to promote the Lord's glory andgratify our...
Resources
If we are born in sin, how is it fair for God to judge us for our sin? | GotQuestions.orgIn what ways is sin a slippery slope? | GotQuestions.orgWhat makes sexual sin such a big deal? | GotQuestions.orgGratify: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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