Do You Live for Pleasure or Purpose?
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious I will grant the right to eat of the tree of life in the paradise of God.” ~~ Revelation 2:7 (NASB)
A Paradigm Shift . . .
This is what we call a paradigm shift. Can you take your eyes higher in order to delay your gratification? Are you willing to be content in this unsettled world and push out the distractions that infect our beings and rob us of our joy, rest, and purpose?
Philippians 4:11-13 tells us “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstance I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do ALL through Christ who strengthens me.”
You may ask yourself, how can this be accomplished, especially when I am in a season of suffering and sorrow? How can I delay my impulse to seek pleasure to escape versus receiving the satisfaction of feeding and drinking of His Word and trusting in HIM? Is it possible that I could look to Him, take my eyes higher, and rest in HIS truth?
We all have stories, some good and some not so good. Ask yourself this question, do you desire pleasure over satisfaction and joy? This is a real question that leads us to how we think, believe, and behave on a daily basis. Pleasure is instant, however, pleasure isn't always the best. In fact, when led by your impulses, often shame and guilt invade the soul and cause us to become focused upon self. This can become a negative feedback cycle that makes it difficult to break. What voice are you listening too? Culture or God? Our culture tells us that we need it right now! No need to wait! Our brains are flooded with multiple messages. Messages on how we should look, behave, and live. When we live in a place where we invite our flesh in, pleasure takes over.
What Does the Holy Bible Teach? . . .
However, the Bible teaches us to be disciplined, self-controlled, and prepared. This is often not the easy choice now, is it? Pleasure is quick and satisfies our immediate need for a fleeting moment; but what happens after that pleasure is fulfilled? Can you relate to a time where you chose pleasure over satisfaction?
Let’s look at what the Bible tells us throughout the Book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon, was a man who had much, yet he considered it all to be folly. Solomon searched for a deeper meaning in life other than what he could see. As a result of his quest, God honored him, and he was known as the wisest man. Even though his path was not easy, he made the choice to recognize that God is ALL powerful. Solomon set his mind and thoughts on what was eternal - realizing that this world was fading away and robbing him of his ultimate purpose - through trusting God!
The sum of this Book is found Ecclesiastes 12:13-14: “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”
And in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 we read: "And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness’…. Therefore, I am well content with weakness, with insults, with distress, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake, for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
About the Lord, Job 36:11 tells us that “if they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.”
These are a few of HIS promises to remind us that pleasure is short term but the satisfaction fills the deepest levels of our souls and leaves us content. Ask yourself this question, what are you chasing? Fame? Success? Pleasure? Are you willing to press out pleasure and to discipline yourself in His Word and truths? To refrain from escaping so that He can heal you? Make the choice to run TO HIM, not away from the Lord.
Pray with Me . . .
Father, I want my life to reflect stability to walk securely in YOU! Help, me when my feet slip and tend to straddle the fence and lean toward the world’s ways. Help me to clean my heart, repent, get on my face, and seek You. Father, rekindle the flame and allow me to remember and go back to my first Love...YOU! Help me to overcome temptations so that I no longer walk according to the flesh.
In Jesus' Name, Amen!
Scriptures for Study . . .
“To him who overcomes, I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ~~ Revelation 2:7.
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” ~~ Galatians 5:16-17. (ESV)
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." ~~ Romans 8:1-2.
~ Elizabeth Bowman