Am I a Sybarite? Are You?

Today, it is a continuation of the sin list. The sin that I'll look at today is "Debauchery". This should be interesting since I have my own idea of what debauchery is, but I also have some questions about debauchery and what it can entail. Without further ado...

Debauchery (noun):

• Excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures; intemperance.
• Extreme indulgence in sensual pleasures; dissipation.
• A wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity.
• Too much indulgence in pleasures usually considered immoral, especially sexual activity and excessive drinking.

I honestly was expecting a different definition for this word. I wasn't so much surprised by "excessive indulgence", but everything else pretty much surprised me. Now, let's see what the Bible has to say...

Romans 13:8-14

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Ephesians 5:15-20

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1st Peter 4:1-6

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

2nd Corinthians 12:19-21

Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening. For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.

Debauchery: aselgeia (pronounced: as-elg'-i-a):

• Of uncertain derivation, but apparently meaning continent; licentiousness (sometimes including other vices): filthy, lasciviousness, wantonness.
• Unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence.

Debauchery: asōtia (pronounced: as-o-tee'-ah):

• An abandoned, dissolute life
• Profligacy, prodigality
• Properly unsavedness, that is, (by implication) profligacy: - excess, riot.

Now, with all these definitions, even the definitions throw some question marks into mess. So, back to the dictionary...

Licentiousness (adj.):

• Sexually unrestrained; lascivious; libertine; lewd.
• Unrestrained by law or general morality; lawless; immoral.
• Going beyond customary or proper bounds or limits; disregarding rules.
• Lacking moral discipline or ignoring legal restraint, especially in sexual conduct.
• Dissolute indulgence in sensual pleasure.

Wantonness (noun):

• Deliberate and without motive or provocation; uncalled-for; headstrong; willful.
• Without regard for what is right, just, humane, etc.; careless; reckless.
• Sexually lawless or unrestrained; loose; lascivious; lewd.
• Extravagantly or excessively luxurious, as a person, manner of living, or style.

lascivious (adj.):

• Inclined to lustfulness; wanton; lewd: a lascivious, girl-chasing old man.
• Arousing sexual desire: lascivious photographs.
• Indicating sexual interest or expressive of lust or lewdness.
• Given to or expressing lust; lecherous.
• Exciting sexual desires; salacious.
• Reflecting or producing sexual desire or behavior esp. that is considered indecent or obscene.

So, I have a great feeling of what debauchery is... it is more than just excessive eating or excessive shopping... it is focused more on the excessive actions of excessive drinking and excessive sexual behavior. The other things are more or less included, but the real focus is on those two: drinking and sexual behavior. Johnny Out.

P.S.

Sybarite (noun):

• A person devoted to luxury and pleasure.
• A person devoted to pleasure and luxury; a voluptuary.

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