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“…lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power…” (2 Timothy 3:4b-5a)
In my last week’s blog posting I wrote about battling with pride. This week I would like to write about another battle I believe we all have to deal with to one degree or another. I most certainly know I do. That is keeping our entertainment/pleasure in its proper place.
Some time ago I was listening to a Christian radio program where they spoke of a Christian man from a third world country who visited the USA. I cannot remember which radio program or country he was from, but they asked him a question to which, at the time I was surprised with his answer.
The question:
“Would you like to come live here in America?”
The reply:
“No I would not, here in America your God is your multimillion dollar sports stadiums, your fancy churches and all your entertainment.”
I do not believe God wants us to avoid all pleasures and entertainment, after all there is “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven…And a time to laugh…And a time to dance…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4) But, the question is “where does God come in?” “Where does He rank in our priorities?” There is nothing wrong with enjoying a good clean movie or a football game, but to pursue entertainment more than God will have its costs.
Is my pursuit for pleasure greater than my pursuit for God? If so, what is it costing me?
Remember, we reap what we sow…
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. (Galatians 6:7-8)
Oh, this is so true. We worship money, position, lake homes, boats, fancy cars, big homes, fine clothing, and the beat goes on. Yes, we have our gods, don't we. It's all about pride and the things of this world.
ReplyDeleteThank you for a great post.
So true Ken, so true.....we are truly entertaining ourselves to death....spiritual death. I do believe there is a time and place, after all, God gives us things and places to enjoy, but not at the expense of our relationship with Him! Great post. Lori
ReplyDeleteHi Ken,
ReplyDeleteThe entertainment god. What a sad state we are in.
God does have the solution for this, keeping God front and center 24/7, so that in everything we do we do it to honour and glorify God. Now this is a mind set, a focusing of the mind always towards God. I find when I do this everything falls into perspective and God ends up getting most of my time and something that is not good to focus on I tend to stay away from because the Holy Spirit that lives in me repels me from it. So if I am enjoying sports, which I love, I do it praising God and I don't become a slaved to the sport. There is freedom when God is the focus and it is amazing to see that in worshiping God while say at a football game becomes a chance to evangelize the Gospel to those who are around us. Or for me when I was very involved in Taekwondo, thoughts and talk about Jesus would almost always be in every conversation because my thoughts were focused on Him.
Since I have decided to live like this I have been happier, more content and able to enjoy more things with a deep, pure joy because God was being honoured.
I love these thoughts, thank you for sharing them.
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Well said Ken! I believe He has given us things to enjoy, but we should always put these in perspective. He is our #1 priority, followed by family, church, work, then (if time allows) pleasures :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for reminding us of this important truth. Everything has it's place in our lives but only Jesus should be at the center.
ReplyDelete(1 Cor. 10:31) Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Your words are so true Ken! So many times we work and play mindlessly and thoughtlessly, leaving God out of the picture entirely. Instead we need to approach our work and play in faith and confidence, with thanksgiving, and put Him first in everything we do!
ReplyDelete"In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success."- Proverbs 3:6 TLB
Blessings and love! :)
Denise
Thank you for sharing this. I met a man from Uganda who felt the same way. He pitied us in our comparative wealth and ease, because we don't make time to be with the Lord and don't really trust in God rather than our "system".
ReplyDeleteWe have slowly been exposed to evil. In tiny bites, at first. So much so, that things that should horrify us, now bother us very little, if at all. Sin breaks the heart of God, and it should break the heart of the believer as well.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Ken. Grace and peace...
Oh Ken - these words are so very true - so very sad - but true all too often.
ReplyDeleteI hate how our culture teaches us to "worship" celebrities and athletes and singers and the like. Even in church we can fall victim to the desire to be entertained. Where is God in all this - you have asked the correct question.
Our pursuit for pleasure MUST lie in our pursuit of God. For ONLY in Him, and through Him, can we find the Living Water that will quench the thirst in our souls.
GOD BLESS!
Hello Ken. Thank you for this powerful reflection and truth. Sin always costs more than we realise.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you, brother.
Thank you for sharing, my brother in Christ!!!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted you to know that I have returned to our Lord Jesus Christ, my friend!!!
Hi Ken -
ReplyDeleteThank you
GOD mandates that He be first...
This is a very helpful message.
We need such, for sure!
I wish to thank everyone for your comments, they are much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Ken