The term "excessively" refers to actions or behaviors that go beyond what is reasonable, moderate, or appropriate. In a biblical context, excessive behavior often relates to indulgence, lack of self-control, or actions that deviate from God's commandments and wisdom. The Bible provides numerous teachings and examples that caution against excessive behavior, urging believers to practice moderation and self-discipline.

Biblical Warnings Against Excessiveness

1. Drunkenness and Gluttony: The Bible frequently warns against excessive drinking and eating. Proverbs 23:20-21 states, "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags." This passage highlights the consequences of excessive indulgence, emphasizing the importance of moderation.

2. Wealth and Materialism: Excessive pursuit of wealth and material possessions is cautioned against in Scripture. In 1 Timothy 6:9-10 , Paul writes, "Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil." This warning underscores the spiritual dangers of excessive materialism.

3. Speech and Anger: The Bible also addresses excessive speech and anger. James 1:19-20 advises, "My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man's anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires." This passage encourages restraint and self-control in communication and emotional responses.

Examples of Excessive Behavior in Scripture

1. The Prodigal Son: In Luke 15:11-32, Jesus tells the parable of the prodigal son, who demands his inheritance and squanders it in "wild living" (Luke 15:13). His excessive lifestyle leads to destitution, illustrating the folly of indulgence and the importance of repentance and humility.

2. King Solomon: Solomon, despite his wisdom, engaged in excessive accumulation of wealth, wives, and horses, contrary to God's instructions for kings in Deuteronomy 17:16-17. His excesses eventually led to spiritual decline and division in the kingdom (1 Kings 11:1-11).

Principles for Avoiding Excessiveness

1. Self-Control: The fruit of the Spirit includes self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Believers are called to exercise restraint in all areas of life, avoiding excess and maintaining balance.

2. Contentment: Philippians 4:11-12 teaches, "I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound." Contentment is a safeguard against excessive desires and behaviors.

3. Wisdom and Discernment: Proverbs 3:21 advises, "My son, do not lose sight of wisdom and discretion." Wisdom and discernment help believers recognize and avoid excessive actions that lead away from God's will.

In summary, the Bible consistently warns against excessive behavior, advocating for moderation, self-control, and reliance on God's wisdom. Through scriptural teachings and examples, believers are encouraged to live balanced lives that honor God and reflect His righteousness.2596. kata -- down, against, according to
... 1), circumstances* (2), conforming (1), contrary (1), daily* (10), down (4), each
(2), effect (1), every (10), every* (1), exactly* (1), excessively* (1), godly ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2596.htm - 9k

5234. huperballontos -- above measure
... beyond measure. Adverb from present participle active of huperballo; excessively --
beyond measure. see GREEK huperballo. (uperballontos) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5234.htm - 6k

1171. deinos -- terribly, vehemently
... grievously, vehemently. Adverb from a derivative of the same as deilos; terribly,
ie Excessively -- grievously, vehemently. see GREEK deilos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1171.htm - 6k

5236. huperbole -- a throwing beyond, excess, superiority
... Word Origin from huperballo Definition a throwing beyond, excess, superiority NASB
Word Usage all comparison (1), beyond* (1), excessively* (1), far...all ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5236.htm - 7k

7235a. rabah -- to be or become much, many or great
... ask (1), became many (1), became...numerous (1), bitterly* (1), boast* (1),
considerable (1), continue (1), continued (1), enlarge (1), excessively (2), gave ...
/hebrew/7235a.htm - 6k

That Constantine was Displeased with one who Praised Him ...
... Book IV. Chapter XLVIII."That Constantine was displeased with one who praised
him excessively. And now that all these ceremonies ...
/.../the life of constantine/chapter xlviii that constantine was displeased.htm

Epistle vii. To the Clergy, Concerning Prayer to God.
... Therefore, while an inflated and immodest boastfulness about their own confession
excessively elates some, tortures come upon them, and tortures without any ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle vii to the clergy.htm

Of a Religious State. ...
... Augustine worthily finds fault with those that do too indiscreetly and excessively
commend to secular persons living in the world, either a monastical or a ...
/.../chapter iii of a religious.htm

The Practice of what Has Been Said in the Preceding Chapter.
... the honourableness and beauty of virtue principally because they are agreeable to
God: for, my dear Theotimus, there are some men who excessively love the ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xiv the practice of.htm

No one ever Afterwards Quite Knew How the Crowd in the Church ...
... nearly been a parricide,"and on the father who publicly exonerated him,"and then
there came a pressing towards the doors which was excessively dangerous to ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xiv no one ever afterwards.htm

Chapter seventeen
... Although excessively praised by the highest authorities of the period, Birgitte
Boye's hymns contain nothing of permanent value, and have now happily been ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter seventeen.htm

John i. 1
... Of the other philosophers we need make no mention at all; they have all on this
point been so excessively ridiculous; and those who have been among them in ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily ii john i 1.htm

On Mr. Rudyard Kipling and Making the World Small
... The evil of militarism is not that it shows certain men to be fierce and
haughty and excessively warlike. The evil of militarism ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/iii on mr rudyard kipling.htm

Impressive Phrases
... authoritative, independent, arbitrary, and supreme. avaricious, grasping, miserly,
and parsimonious [parsimonious = excessively frugal]. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section iv impressive phrases.htm

iii.
... And others being thrown upon the ground lay prostrated there by the excessively
frequent application of the tortures; in which condition they exhibited to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/phileas/the writings of phileas/iii.htm

Excessively (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Excessively (6 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 1:8
For we do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, as to our ...
/e/excessively.htm - 8k

Torment (19 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 12:7 By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that
I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh ...
/t/torment.htm - 13k

Revelations (2 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 12:7 By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that
I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh ...
/r/revelations.htm - 7k

Exalted (126 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 12:7 By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that
I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh ...
/e/exalted.htm - 34k

Burning (415 Occurrences)
... n.) of Burn. 2. (a.) That burns; being on fire; excessively hot; fiery. 3. (a.)
Consuming; intense; inflaming; exciting; vehement; powerful; as, burning zeal. ...
/b/burning.htm - 42k

Conceited (14 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 12:7 By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that
I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh ...
/c/conceited.htm - 10k

Surpassingly (2 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 12:7 By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that
I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh ...
/s/surpassingly.htm - 7k

Surpassing (21 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 12:7 By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that
I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh ...
/s/surpassing.htm - 13k

Exceeding (101 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 12:7 By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that
I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh ...
/e/exceeding.htm - 37k

Arrogant (60 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Overtly and excessively proud; making, or having the disposition to make,
exorbitant claims of rank or estimation; giving one's self an undue degree of ...
/a/arrogant.htm - 22k

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