Hey Guys,
There are (at least) two errors a Christian can make with regards to pleasure: idolatry OR ungodly fear of idolatry. I'm not talking about sinful desires but the simple joys in life like marriage, children, careers, good food/wine, ministries, and hobbies. Most believers are, I assume, well aware of the dangers of the first error, but perhaps not as many are aware of the dangers of the second. The first leads to ungodly attachments while the second leads to ungodly asceticism, the rejection of good gifts of God and mistaking self-denial for holiness.
I recently came to realize that I harbour some serious fears of idolizing marriage through a very grace-filled conversation. I irrationally feared that a happily married life would distract me away from God and was gently warned that such a guarded approach to relationships is doomed to fail. It's as if knowing God doesn't owe me, a sinner, even one millisecond of that kind of happiness (true) yet wishes it for me (also true) fills me with feelings of guilt, inadequacy, and fear rather than humbled thankfulness. And there lies the heart of the problem, I STILL struggle with accepting grace! This idea was further underlined during a weekend church conference on the beatitudes. The word Jesus used for "blessed" (makarios) has a secondary meaning of being happy/fulfilled. In other words, God desires our delight and happiness. The key is basing our happiness on godly values. If my desire for marriage is based on the display of Christ's glory, the sanctifying work of raising a family, genuine delight at the prospect of raising godly children, experiencing love and intimacy with another Christ-centered human being. If these are the kinds of reasons my desire for a wife is based on, then there's no reason for me to feel ashamed, believe myself unworthy, or live in constant fear of idolizing a wife God Himself wants to give me.
Ecclesiastes reminds us that earthly joys and pleasures are God's gifts, meant to inspire praise and thanksgiving. Whether the error lies in idolatry or fear of idolatry, the solution to both is the same: Thankfulness. Genuine, humble, grace-filled thankfulness as we constantly acknowledge God as the source of all good things in our lives. Encouragement for the week, whether your struggle lies in idolatry or fear of idolatry, be filled with thankfulness to God for the many blessings in life - refuse the enemy any foothold for condemnation.
Have a very happy Wednesday!
Edward
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." 1 John 4:18
"Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to the deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer." 1 Timothy 4:1-4
"If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" Matthew 7:11
Epic mullet guy manages to salvage that annoying Friday song into something that actually sounds good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iw8IEd3LDzg
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