PLEASURE
Used in a bad sense:
The Greek word “hedone” is
used of the gratification of the natural desire or sinful desire (Lk.
The Greek word “philedonos”
means lovers of pleasure (2 Tim. 3:4).
The Greek word “spatalao”
means riotous/undisciplined/wanton pleasure (1
Tim. 5:6; Jas. 5:5).
Other places in Scripture where pleasure is used in a
bad sense: Isa. 58:13; Ezek.
Used in a good sense:
The Greek word “eudokia”
means good pleasure or kind intention (Eph.
1:5, 9; Phil.
Other
places in Scripture where pleasure is used in a good sense: Job 36:11; Psa.
16:11; 102:14; 149:4; Gen.18:12; 1 Chron. 28:4; Col. 1:19.
Eccles. 2:1 What did Solomon (1:1), who was the richest king on earth in his day (1 Ki. 3:13; 4:20-27) and had all the
pleasures of life, have to say about pleasure/self-centered desires and/or
activities (Heb. – “simchah”)?
Do
you agree with Solomon that worldly, sensuous pleasure is
meaningless/futile/vain? Why?
[Solomon’s
rhetorical question in verse 2 expects a negative answer of “pleasure accomplishes
little or nothing”.].
What
forms of pleasure did Solomon indulge in (vss.
3-10)?
What
did he finally say all this pleasure resulted in, including the pleasures (Heb. “taanug”)
of sex with many women (vs. 8; 1 Ki.
11:1-3)?
Do
you think indulging in any or all of these pleasures would result in a
different response from you? Why?
Whose
mind is consumed with pleasure (7:4)?
Do
you daydream or fantasize about worldly or sensuous pleasures like those
described in 2:3-10? Why?
Now
that you’ve heard what God and Solomon have said about worldly, self-centered
pleasure, what do you plan to do about your attitude and activities regarding
this kind of pleasure?
[There is
a good type of pleasure. It’s the kind that we can give to God (e.g., 1 Chron.
28:4; Psa. 149:4; Phil. 2:13), the kind we can give to edify other Christians
(Rom. 15:2), the kind God gives to believers (e.g., Psa. 16:11; Job 36:11) and
the kind we can derive from things spiritual (e.g., Psa. 102:14) or good (e.g.,
2 Thes. 1:11) or created by God and used properly (e.g., Gen. 18:12 with Heb.
13:4).].
Prov.
Why is this proverb generally true?
Lk. 8:11, 14 After some
people hear the word of God presented to them (the gospel of salvation) and then continue on with their daily
lives, what chokes/kills their consideration and acceptance of God’s word (the gospel)?
What are some specific
examples of pleasures (self-centered
desires and/or activities that take priority over God, His will, and things
spiritual) in this life that could choke/kill an individual’s
consideration and acceptance of the gospel?
Do you know of anyone
who initially considered becoming a Christian but then rejected or lost
interest in this decision because of the pleasures of life (e.g., alcohol, illicit drugs, illicit sex, gambling, partying,
clubbing, rock music, video games, porn, cars, sports fanaticism, etc.)? If so, what could you
have said to help prevent this loss of interest in and acceptance of the gospel
due to the person’s consumption with the pleasures of life?
Could this same thing happen to people who have
already become Christians but whose spiritual growth is choked because of these
same pleasures of life? If so, what can
you do to help prevent this from happening to you?
And what could you do or
say to help prevent this from happening to your friends?
Titus 3:3 What
does Paul tell Titus that they were once enslaved to?
Were
you ever enslaved to or consumed by various pleasures (self-centered desires and/or activities) before you became a
Christian? If
so, what (if you care to say)?
Do
you think that you are still enslaved to any worldly pleasures (desires
that hinder: your spiritual growth; your complete obedience to
God/Jesus or the Bible; your time, service, attention, or dedication to God,
His Word, your evangelizing, your building up believers spiritually, your
participating in spiritual things, like Bible reading and prayer)?
If
so, what do you plan to do about it? Why,
and how soon?
Jas. 4:1-3 What do people’s sensual pleasures, which arise from within
their lives (sin natures)
cause/produce?
Have
you ever known of a Christian who got involved in a quarrel, conflict, even murder
because of sensual pleasure (e.g., they wanted someone else’s:
girl/boyfriend or spouse; illicit drugs; alcohol; money; possessions;
pornographic magazine/video; car; clothes; musical talent or instrument; some experience,
privilege, position – such as in sports, career; etc.)? What happened?
Have
your desires to gratify your senses (sensual
pleasures) ever motivated/caused you to get into a conflict with someone
else?
If
so, share an example.
Why
don’t some Christians receive what they ask God for in prayer?
What
are some things that people selfishly ask God for to spend on their own
pleasures?
Have
you ever selfishly asked God for something/somebody to spend/squander/waste on
your own pleasures?
If so, what (if
you want to answer)?
[What you
ask God for should be to glorify/honor/please Him, not yourself.].
[Some
pleasures are always sinful, like sexual immorality, drunkenness, gluttony, and
illicit drugs. Other pleasures become sinful when they replace or hinder your
God-given purpose and priorities in life of glorifying God through becoming
Christ-like in character and mission (e.g., evangelizing the spiritually lost
and building up believers spiritually).].
2 Pet.
Do
you know of religious leaders who have gotten drunk (caroused) or who have participated in wild parties that included
orgies (revelry)? Why do you think religious leaders
do this?
Have
you ever or do you still do either of these things since becoming a Christian? Why?
If
so, what do you plan to do so that it never happens again?
2 Tim. 3:1-5 According
to verse 4, what will people in the last days (the period of time between Jesus’ first and second comings to earth –
Heb. 1:2; 1 Pet.
Which
do you love: God or gratifying your sinful/self-centered desires, and why?
How
do the following verses apply: Lk.
[Remember,
the way you can determine whether or not, and how much, you love God/Jesus is
by your obeying His commands (1 Jn. 5:3; Jn.
Does
your love for any of the following characterize your life: sports; playing
computer games; sexually-suggestive dancing; drinking alcohol; over-eating;
expensive eating; illicit drugs; sexual fantasizing; material possessions;
extravagant traveling; gambling; unedifying music, videos, T.V.; expensive
clothes; jewelry; furniture; etc.?
Would
others say that any of these things were loves of your life?
Or, does your love for any of these
things supersede your love for God/Jesus (as
seen by your obeying His purpose for your life in building up believers
spiritually, seeking and saving the spiritually lost, and living a holy life –
Matt. 28:19, 20; Phil. 2:2 with 1:27; Eph. 4:11-13; 1 Pet. 1:14-16; 2:9-12;
Rom. 14:19; 1 Thes. 5:11)?
Do
the following show that you’re a lover of God rather than a lover of pleasure:
your objective in life is to
glorify/honor God in all you do and are – 1 Cor. 10:31; 6:20; and your goals in life are targeted to helping
you reach this objective of being Christ-like in character and mission; your priorities include: Bible
reading/study/meditation, prayer, evangelism, building Christ-like believers,
devoting your time/talent/treasure to promoting Christ’s kingdom rather than
your own selfish plans/desires?