Lovers of Pleasures

INTRODUCTION

Lovers of pleasures are those who have invariably turned sensual pleasures, sensual gratification, etc., to their god, and therefore love and serve them instead of God. These people live for pleasure without restraint and are inordinately concerned with their interests above others.

Paul, in 2 Timothy 3:4, refers to lovers of pleasures as a sign of the last days. He used the Greek word meaning “lovers of pleasure” to emphasise that society will become engrossed and obsessed with the pursuit of their comfort, happiness and pleasure.

We shall focus on dangers of sensual pleasures and being created for God’s pleasure.

OUTLINE

1. Dangers of Sensual Pleasures

2. Created For God’s Pleasure

DANGERS OF SENSUAL PLEASURES

Sensual pleasure is a carnal or worldly pleasure that naturally extinguishes all love and service of God (2 Timothy 3:4). These fleshly lusts pose a lot of threats to their practitioners and those around them.

Some of them get lost in the ways of the world and love for the pleasures of the flesh (Luke 8:14). They are careless in the way they live (Ephesians 4:19). This inordinate love for pleasures often results in poverty (Proverbs 21:17). They are selfish to others (Titus 3:3). A blind eye is turned to God’s judgment (Romans 1:32). These people will be judged because they take pleasure in sin. It is rather unfortunate that these people are dead while they live (1 Timothy 5:6). The reward of unrighteousness awaits them (2 Peter 2:13).

Furthermore, those who take pleasure in fleshly lusts are not subject to God’s law (Romans 8:7); their growth is stunted as they refuse to leave the baby stage and still exhibit other carnal traits like strife, envy, etc. (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). They are self-gratifiers (Philippians 2:21) who run after mundane and earthly things and their god is their belly (Philippians 3:18-19; Numbers 11:4). When every man is eager for what he can get, and anxious to keep what he has, this makes men dangerous to one another.

CREATED FOR GOD’S PLEASURE

Revelation 4:11 discloses that we were created for God’s pleasure and we are to give Him glory and honour all the time.

One of the ways to give God glory is to acknowledge Him in all that we do (Proverbs 3:6; Jeremiah 9:23-24); when this is done in complete obedience, it is accompanied by prosperity (Job 36:11). We honour God when we surrender totally to Him (Psalms 37:5; 55:22).

We also give pleasure to God when we do the following: live uprightly (1 Chronicles 29:17); stay away from anything that defiles (Ezra 10:11); trust Him (Psalm 36:7-8); do His will (Psalm 103:21); seek to know Him for His greatness (Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5); fear Him and hope in His mercy (Psalm 147:10-11).

CONCLUSION

Love God and serve Him passionately; carnal pleasure is enmity against God. Love not the world!

QUESTIONS

Mention three dangers of sensual pleasures.

In what ways can we bring pleasure to God?

FURTHER READINGS

SUN: 1 John 2:16.

MON: Proverbs 21:17.

TUE: 1 Peter 4:3.

WED: Titus 2:11-13.

THUR: Colossians 3:2.

FRI: Mark 4:19.

SAT: 2 Peter 2:13.

ASSIGNMENT

Identify five (5) things people are obsessed with in an attempt to live comfortably and happily in life.

(2×5 = 10 marks)