A word fitly spoken is like APPLES OF GOLD in a setting of silver [Proverbs 25v11]
We live in a society that is rapidly changing from a Biblical world view to a humanistic world view. Christians are constantly being pressured to accept that even if modern behaviour and attitudes are in conflict with Biblical teaching, it is acceptable because ‘God wants me to be happy’. Friends, that is a lie – God does not want you to be happy because if happiness depends on favourable circumstances, it is of a temporary nature and when the euphoria wears off we suffer an emotional hangover.
The truth is that God wants us to be JOYFUL – because joy is not dependent on favourable circumstances, it’s of a long term nature and never wears off. It is the result of walking in God’s ways, loving and serving Him as we read in Deuteronomy 10v12-13: “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and to keep the Lord’s commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your GOOD?” God’s ways are not to deprive us of fun and enjoyment, but are for our good which includes peace of mind, contentment and to be in favour with both others and God (Luke 2v52).
Friends, it is a mistake to modify or ignore Biblical teaching to fit in with a secular worldview because that always ends in negative consequences for us and brings unhappiness to others. When we step outside the boundaries God has ordained for our good, we embrace a selfish lifestyle that the Apostle John explains as ungodly in his 1st Epistle: John 2v16: “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world”. Anti-social behaviour comes from three sources: the first is lust of the flesh. The Bible defines the flesh as the normal natural desire to satisfy our bodily needs such as food, drink or intimacy. Lust is an intense desire to indulge oneself often at the detriment of others, unlike love which has a desire to give often in a sacrificial way. Because lust is selfish, lust of the flesh is always ugly as it involves stealing others joy, self-esteem and peace by infidelity, jealousy, quarrelling, selfish ambition, cruelty, greed, gluttony, drunkenness, abuse, exploitation, bullying, uncontrolled anger – to name a few. Friends, for OUR GOOD let us make 2024 the year we walk in God’s way and experience the joy of the Lord.
Amen
Graeme Greenwood