Some people imagine God as a cruel task master opposed to all fun or pleasure. To them, He is the God of all-seriousness or the God of rules. But this is not an accurate, biblical picture of God.
God created us with the ability to experience pleasure. Several Scriptures speak of our delight and pleasure (for example, Psalm 16; Proverbs 17:22; and Proverbs 15:13). The beauty of creation and the diversity of humanity show us God’s creative palette. Many people find pleasure in spending time out of doors or in relating with those of different personalities. This is good and proper. God wants His creation to be enjoyed.
In the Bible, we see God Himself take pleasure in things. Zephaniah 3:17, for example, says that God delights in us and sings over us. God also instituted multiple celebrations and festivals in the Old Testament. To be sure, these feasts had a didactic element, but they were also celebrations. Scripture speaks of having joy – Philippians and the Psalms are two places where we see plenty of it. Jesus declares, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). Life “to the full” sounds like a pleasurable experience.
God’s design of the human body reveals that pleasure is part of His plan. Taste buds and other sensory organs are proof that God is not opposed to pleasure. Why does food taste so good? Why is the scent of roses pleasing? Why is a back massage enjoyable? Because God wanted it that way. Pleasure was God’s idea.
Sometimes we think that, when Christians talk about pleasure or joy, they mean being joyful in reading their Bibles, meditating, or serving. We certainly do take pleasure in those things but not to the exclusion of other activities. God also created us for fellowship with others and for recreation. We were made to delight in being His children, in using the talents He bestows and in participating in the pleasures He offers.
It is also wise to distinguish between the different types of “pleasure” in this world. We live in a fallen world where God’s best for us is often perverted. Just because society deems an activity pleasurable does not mean it is pleasing to God (see Galatians 5:19-21; Colossians 3:5-10; and 1 Corinthians 6:12-17). When we consider these “pleasures” of the world, we find that they are not in fact healthy for us or conducive to long-term pleasure. The prodigal son reveled in sin until the money ran out; then he found that the pleasures of sin are fleeting (Luke 15:11-17). They are false friends that leave us empty and longing.
It is also important to realize that the purpose of our lives is not pleasure. Hedonism is a false philosophy. We were created to delight in God (Psalm 37:4) and accept with gratitude the good things He provides. More importantly, we were created to have a relationship with God.
No, God is not opposed to pleasure. He is opposed to pleasure usurping His place in our lives. Sometimes we are called to forgo the pleasure of the moment in order to invest in the greater pleasure of God’s kingdom. We won’t be disappointed. For those who seek Him and His righteousness, God has “eternal pleasures” in store (Psalm 16:11).
See http://www.gotquestions.org/God-pleasure.html
July 01 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report
I am going to speak from experience here, but only because I believe scripture backs it up. What is at the root of your pleasures? Is it self, or is it God? I mean, what brings you joy, and what is at the root of those activities, in you?
Harvard did a study not too long ago that proves humans are hard wired for worship. Think about this. We praise things all day long. We praise football teams, we praise new or vintage cars, we praise homes and TV’s and TV shows, we praise movies or music, we praise celebrities and people we don’t even know. And a good question is, why? CS Lewis had an interesting take on this, and said something to this effect, ‘we praise these things, because it completes our joy in that thing.’
Let that sink in for a moment. Now, ask yourself, “Where is your joy coming from?” What do you praise? Why do we praise and place our joy in that which will pass away? Why do we store up treasure for ourselves here, in this world?
A truly converted heart, by grace through faith, is guided by the Spirit, and when led by the Spirit, we become the children of God (Rom 8:14). And when led by the Spirit, we receive the fruit of the Spirit. Joy, peace, and love among others (Gal 5:22-23). This joy we receive, is that Spirit of Joy and love and peace, that has eternally existed between the Father and the Son. And we know and are sure, that the Spirit is our payment until the day of our glorification. And we are to be led by this Spirit, for Nehemiah testifies ‘the joy of the LORD is your strength.’
So, why worry about carnal, worldly pleasures? For they lead us to praise and worship that which is created over the Creator. Why not, instead, place our hope and our joy in that which is infinite and never changing?
Jesus Christ emptied himself, and came down, and endured the cross. Endured beating and mocking, endured spikes driven through hands and feet, was publicly hung in front of people who hated and reviled Him. Was fed vinegar… Vinegar. Labored to breathe under the weight of His body on His chest, with each breathe scrapping the splintered wood behind Him until he was speared through, and He did all this for the ‘joy’ set before Him. (Heb 12:2). This is worth our praise. This purchased us everlasting, ever increasing, ever abounding Joy for not a week, not a month or a year, but 10,000 ages and ages to come, forever.
Where is our joy? From experience, mine went from drugs, sex, competition, praise and adoration of men, to God in Jesus Christ. And not by my will, but this change was given to me. That my life would be to the praise of the greatness of the glory of His grace. So I will praise my God, that God may increase and make my joy and my pleasure in Him abound, forever, world without end. Per John Piper, ‘God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied, in Him.
May the Grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ be with you all.
September 26 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report
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