on April 15, 2011
2 Timothy 3:1-5 – But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God– having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
Hedonism teaches that pleasure seeking is the principle good and aim of a happy person or society. Self-indulgent pleasure is the way of life for the hedonist. The true hedonist always acts in such a way as to avoid pain and seek pleasure. The Apostle Paul identifies this philosophy as one that will be most prevalent in the last days and contributing to “terrible times.” He identifies such people as “lovers of themselves” and “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” As such, they love money and what it can buy them, they have huge egos, they abuse relationships and things (drugs, freedom), they are exempt from laws and authority, and, well… you read what Paul says about them! He warns believers to “have nothing to do with them.” You do not want their influence or their drama in your life!
The Bible teaches us to “deny yourself and take up your cross.” Many Christians have bought into a form of hedonism that overrules this teaching of Christ. However, buying into it also nullifies the power of the cross and obedience to Christ. Hedonism appeals greatly to our sinful nature. We love comfort, ease and pleasure, which are not bad things unless they are at the expense of our love of God! I’m afraid that all too many Christians cross the border here too frequently and thus sacrifice real godly power to live and love for a “form of godliness.” Real love is a giving of self to another, seeking the goodness and glory of the other. It never uses others as things or an end just for its own pleasure. Such conduct diminishes the dignity of others as well as our own. Animals behave this way. People shouldn’t, because it’s not what we were created for. It’s not why God created us male and female. This is why pornography, rape, adultery and other immoral sexual behaviors fall outside of God’s intentions and expectations for us. Pornography destroys the sacredness of sexuality and depersonalizes people by turning the one viewed into an object and the viewer into a taker. The danger is that we start to see others as a thing that exists for our pleasure. We were made for intimacy, and intimacy cannot occur with illusionary images. This intimacy should take place with another real person – a spouse! Sex is much more than physical stimulation. God created it to be a very intimate commuion between a husband and a wife. Sex for oneself is counter to God’s ideal for us, which is an intimate celebration of a God-ordained union between a man and a woman who hold each other as sacred and precious.
Hedonism and its various forms will keep you from being a fruitful Christian and can wreck havoc in your marriage and family. Contrary to this philosophy is the call of Christ to love God – even when it hurts! – and to love others as eternal sacred souls whose lives and faith have been entrusted to your care! Do you want to see the power of God at work in your life, your marriage, your family? Do away with the vain philosphies and pretences of hedonism, and love God with all your heart!
Thursday:
- Meet together with at least 1 or 2 other believers to enter the Throne Room of Grace.
- Join our 6:00pm Thursday night prayer team.
Friday:
- Ask God to increase your courage to resist the hedonistic influences of the world, the flesh and the devil.
- Pray for the Good News families of the week: Aaron Montanaro, Jon & Rachel Perryman (Kaitlyn), Jeff & Melanie Porcelli (Amalia, ?).
Saturday:
- Thank God for His moral laws that promote sexual purity and freedom from destructive addictions and behaviors.
Sunday:
- Pray for a revival that sets men and women free to follow the Spirit into sexual and moral purity.
- Join in with our Sunday prayer services to pray for God’s presence and blessing.
Monday:
- Ask God to strengthen your refusal to be influenced by the world’s models of sexual relations.
- Attend “In Touch” Prayer meeting at GNCC at 10:30am or join in prayer at that time.
Tuesday:
- Pray that men and women may clearly see the lies and destructive influences of pornography and sexual immorality.
Wednesday:
- Ask God to help you stand against the subtle influence of a hedonistic society and preserve purity in your life as you obey Christ follow the Spirit!
Prayer Challenge: Recognize that our bodies are a sacred creation and that God made us male and female so that we might glorify Him through sexual intimacy, mutual joy and procreation with our spouse. Cherish the gift of sexuality as one given so that we might love another, not just for our own pleasure. Establish God’s Word as your standard for sexual relationship, and do not let the influence of the world pervert or corrupt God’s plan and purpose. Say no to the sinful nature and yes to the Spirit!