What is pleasure? Bible question to read

 

520. What is pleasure? 

It is the delight of the soul. 

521 What has the Bible to say on this subject? 

It has many references teaching us that it is God’s will that His people should be happy. 

522. When does pleasure become a sin? When we take pleasure in unrighteousness. 

523. What then determines the question as to whether pleasure is uplifting or sinful? 

The character of the thing in which we take pleasure. 

524. Explain. The psalmist says of the righteous man, “His delight is in the law of the Lord.” Here is a genu-

ine delight, a pleasure, helpful, and pleasing in the sight of God. When it comes to the sinful lusts (1 John 

2:16), these are not of the Father, and therefore must not be indulged. 

525. What has Solomon to say on this subject? 

“Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the 

ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring 

thee into judgment” (Ecclesiastes 11:9). 

526. What has Paul to say on this subject? 

“She that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth” (1 Timothy 5:6). 

527. What effect have worldly pleasures upon Christian life? 

Choke out the Word (Luke 8:14). 

528. What is our most striking proof of the truth of this? 

(1) The Word of God. (2) The effect of worldly amusements upon those whom we know. 

529. What forms of worldly amusement are specified in the Bible? 

Church entertainments (Exodus 32:4-6); banquetings, revelings, etc. (1 Peter 4:3, 4), foolish talking and jest-

ing (Ephesians 5:4); carnal feasts (Numbers 25:2, 3); birthday parties (Matthew 14:6-12). 

530. What rule should govern us both in attending gatherings and in our conduct while there? 

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). 

531 What effect has this rule upon places for worldly amusement? 

It separates us from such gatherings, unless we are there on a mission of rescue. 

532. Does this not show that we think ourselves above the rest? 

“Fear God and keep his commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13) Read 2 Corinthians 6:14-17. 

533. But we must have some pleasure. Yes; the pleasures which flow from a cheerful exercise of duty in the 

Christian service are soul-satisfying, spirit uplifting, morally purifying, and helpful to ourselves and to our 

fellow men. One of the saddest facts today is that there are too many people who believe the devil’s claim 

that there is no pleasure outside of foolishness. This would make heaven a very dry and undesirable place. 

534. What does Christ say to His disciples? 

“Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:12). 

535. What does Paul say? “Rejoice in the Lord alway and again I say rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). 

536. What is the chief distinction between amusements and real, Christian joy? 

Worldly amusements make pleasure the chief end sought, and go to the devil’s kingdom for their definition 

of pleasure. Christian joy is the natural fruit of a consciousness of duty well performed. 

537. Why should God’s people be the most cheerful people on earth? 

Because they have the brightest hope and most glorious prospects of any people living; besides having the 

strong arm of Jesus to lean upon in fighting the battles of life, and the presence of the Holy Comforter to as-

sure them that “there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” 

538. What is John’s advice to his fellow believers?

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world” (1 John 2:15). 

539. If we will see to a faithful performance of duty, what can we be assured of? 

God will see that we will have an abundance of joy.