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Paul declares by the Holy Spirit, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof from such turn away” (II Tim. 3:1-5).  There are nineteen sins listed by Paul.  Two are the focus of this article:  lovers of self and lovers of pleasure.  These two sins combine to produce the peril of self-indulgence.
Self-Indulgence Defined
Self-indulgence is the unrestrained gratification of one’s own appetites including desires, passions, and whims.  There is a dynamic that needs to be considered.  It is the dynamic of impulsiveness verses intentionality.  The lusts of the flesh war against the soul.  When we act impulsively, we do not think about our words or actions or their consequences.  We merely act on habitual responses or act on the seduction of risky behavior.  The enticement of pleasure adds to the dynamic.  The pleasures of sin factor in to the intensity of temptation and create desire for that which is forbidden by God.  When we act intentionally, we pause to consider the choice of our words and actions and also their consequences.  This mindfulness produces a thought process that enables us to control our words and actions based upon a conscience ruled by God’s standard of righteousness.  Habitual responses become more intense over time and with continued practice they produce a reluctance to resist the object of desire.  In self-indulgence, we put our own interests above others including God.   Self-indulgence exhausts the energy needed in Christian living and service to God and others.  We are so preoccupied with our own needs that there is no time, energy, or money left to serve God.  We are spent.  We have spent all on self-gratification.
Synonyms of Self-Indulgence
Consider some of the following terms that are synonymous with self-indulgence.  Hedonism is the false philosophy where we pursue pleasure.  Indeed, we are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.  When God is supplanted by anything else, we have made an idol out of that entity.  When we love pleasure more than God, we have made an idol out of pleasure.  God is supposed to be our “first love” (Mt. 22:36-39).  Covetousness is another synonym for self-indulgence.  Covetousness is the insatiable desire for more and more.  Paul actually says that covetousness is idolatry (Col. 3:5).  Egotism is another synonym.  Egotism is when we live in a self-centered way.  We have to have our own way or else we are unhappy.  Entitlement is another synonym.  Entitlement is when a person believes that everyone else in the world owes him/her something if not everything.  One thing is common to all of these terms: the self.  When we become self-indulgent, we become self-serving and we have made an idol out of self.
Antonyms of Self-Indulgence
Self-restraint and self-mastery are both antonyms of self-indulgence.  Both involve the ability to control speech and behavior.  Both involve the ability to say “no” to self and defer gratification.  Moderation is another antonym.  With moderation extremes are eliminated and excesses are eliminated.  We can find balance and practice it.  Discipline is an antonym.  Discipline is training in righteousness that produces the fruit of righteousness in words and works.   Righteousness is right living as God defines it in His Word.  Self-control or temperance is another antonym.  Self-control uses the powers of the mind, heart and will to bring the appetites of the flesh under the control of the Spirit of God.  It is a virtue of the heart.  It helps us avoid:  overeating, overspending, alcohol and drug abuse (including smoking), procrastination, and risky sexual behaviors.
The Antidote to Self-Indulgence
The antidote to self-indulgence is found through Jesus Christ.  The virtue of temperance is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).  These fruits are born in the heart of those who are vitally connected to the vine (John 15:1-11).  Jesus is the vine and we must be in Him in order to bear the fruit of the Spirit.  Today, people want cheap grace, convenience in Christian living, and the promises of God without obedience to the precepts of God.  This spiritual state is self-indulgent and lacks discipline.  The Word of God provides the sacred knowledge that will reprove, correct, and instruct in righteousness.  We must hear it, believe it, and obey it in order to be saved from our self-indulgent selves.