“Do whatever makes you happy.”
“If it feels good, do it.”
“Follow your heart.”
Do these statements sound familiar to you? They should. We hear them on a regular basis. They are believed in varying degrees by friends, family, co-workers, and even people in our churches! It is the creed of the media and advertisers all across the planet. From sex to salvation, the popular message is, “Here it is. You can have it. Enjoy yourself and you will be happy.”
This mantra is the epitome of hedonism.

Hedonism

Hedonism is a secular philosophy that seeks pleasure to find happiness. It promotes a lifestyle that lives for the moment. “Give me my pleasure now because that is all I have to live for.” The idea is simple, easy to understand, and extremely appealing to human cravings.

The Greek philosopher Epicurus (341 B.C. – 270 B.C.) is most credited with the foundation of hedonism. His method sought simple pleasure in remote surroundings and self sustenance within communal style living in his pursuit of happiness. His thoughts and ideas continued after his death and provided the basis for Epicureanism which the Apostle Paul later encountered when he preached on Mars Hill in Athens (recorded in Acts 17:18). Although the embodiment of Epicurus’ philosophy may appear different in today’s world (as it also did during Paul’s time), his basic principle of thought is thriving. Pain and pleasure are considered to be the nature of humanity. Avoid pain and fear. Pursue pleasure. And in today’s vernacular, “If you think it makes you happy, do it.”

It is interesting to note that there are many books, religions, philosophies, and other resources that try to explain the reasons for suffering, but very few exist to explain the purpose of pleasure. Everyone wants to be happy and it seems God has given us a built-in desire for pleasure, so what does He say about it? The biblical view adds a much wider and critical context.

God on “pleasure”

Hedonism or “pleasure seeking” is as old as humanity itself. In the Garden of Eden it was Eve, the first woman who saw “…that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate…” (Gen 3:6). The desire to please herself became more important than heeding the protective ordinances God had set in place. This is not only the basic tenant of hedonism, but is also the core principle of sin. It is a defiant disregard of God for the sake of pleasing oneself.

Sinful indulgence occurs when we become “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Tim 3:4). When we seek our own pleasures apart from God, we become self centered, not God centered. Hedonism is unconditional selfishness. Christian faith calls for unconditional love, especially towards God. The two are completely contrary to one another. God makes it clear. No one can serve two masters” (Mat 6:24). Either you are “…serving various lusts and pleasures…” (Tit 3:3) or serving the living God.

The belief that God is nonexistent or not always present is one of the beliefs that open the door for pleasure seeking. The personal computer, for example, has provided a virtual safe-haven and accessibility for those seeking to satisfy their lusting desire for pornographic content. “No one will know” they say to themselves…as though God does not see what they do in the dark. If they believe there is no God, and “…If the dead do not rise, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!’” (1 Cor 15:32). Without the awareness of God’s presence, there remains no reason for restraint.

Wealth is one of the greatest promoters of pleasure seeking. The more affluent a society becomes, the more prevalent hedonism becomes. Where people can afford more leisure activities, pleasure becomes an affordable necessity rather than a luxury. More vacations, bigger cars, and more homes are considered marks of successful living rather than indulgence.

The Church is often entangled with the trap of preaching wealth without the Cross. The recent message often sounds like this, “Come to Jesus because He loves you and all your desires will be fulfilled.” It is an enticing message that has led to much disenchantment. One woman has told me that she had been “following Jesus for six years” and wanted to stop because her neighbor next door was still wealthier than she was! “Lady,” I said. “You have got the wrong Jesus!” If the Church becomes inward focused and pleasure seeking, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is forsaken and there is no more hope for the world.

The Christian must realize God is not opposed to material possessions, pleasure, or the enjoyment of life. It is best to consider them to be “additions” to a life built upon Christ. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Mt 6:33). God provides the proper grounds for ultimate pleasure when we live in the way He has created. Marriage, as an example, is God’s planned relationship and setting for sex. Have as much of it as you want, but God adds more. He adds to this the joy of having a family and the effect is a sense of love that multiplies. A life satisfied in God is beyond description.

I am not speaking of merely imitating or applying godly principles. Any fool can pretend to be righteous. Jesus said the proper way to have these things added to you was to “seek first the kingdom of God” and the only way to do that is to turn from sin and place your faith in Jesus Christ. Only Jesus connects us to God. You must be born again. Without being born again, without the new heart only Jesus can give, you will forever suffer with shame from the past. You will be a phony.

Jesus is bold. He does not run from trouble to seek pleasure or play religious games. He faces reality with all of its troubles and infuses His life giving breath of victory. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33). This provides the balance. Jesus guarantees joy and victory in the midst of all difficulty. Not only in pleasure.

If we are not willing to bear criticism for the name of Christ, it is unlikely we will find pleasure in the additional blessings He wishes to give. We must risk our own reputation on the basis of Jesus’ reputation. Jesus comes first. In the face of a pleasure seeking world, the Christian must say, “I am His and He is mine.”

Reaching pleasure seeking people

Christians must be aware that they are not immune to sinful behavior and need to avoid such a trap (to be entangled with hedonism would make the Gospel powerless).

On the other hand, we must refuse to allow a generation of people to die in their sins. More than any pleasure, people need Jesus and the only way they will come to Christ is if someone just like you and I will stand up and tell them “Jesus saves.”
Remember: while people are seeking after pleasure, God is seeking after people.

If we love God, we will love what He loves. If we care about our co-workers or friends who are “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,” we must be like Jesus and seek them.

Here are some helpful guidelines to help you share the saving knowledge of salvation through Jesus Christ:

1. Be “Jesus seeking”
“Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye” (Lk 6:42). While our friends and co-workers may be seeking pleasure, we need to ask ourselves what we are seeking. Are we also seeking pleasure or are we seeking Jesus?

Many times, our personal witness is tainted because our values seem to reflect those of the people we are trying to reach. If you are born again, then be born again; a new creation with a new heart through spiritual birth that follows and seeks after God. If you are seeking the same things others are seeking, then you may need to receive Jesus yourself!

The world will not tolerate pretenders.

What a Christian is seeking ought to be dramatically different than what hedonist people are seeking. The believer is called to be “Jesus centered” rather than living a “self centered” life. Jesus is in charge. Our personal appetites are not. The greatest joy and liberty is found in having Jesus on the throne of our lives. We serve Jesus, not ourselves.

Pleasure seeking often leads to immoral behavior. “Jesus-seeking” leads to Jesus.

2. Living includes repenting
Repentance does not only happen when a person receives Christ. It has a permanent place in the life of the believer. Wherever and whenever sin is discovered in our own lives, we should be repentant. So long as Jesus forgives our sin, we must take the opportunity to turn around, change our mind and “set it right” with God. We give up our own way in order to follow and live according to His way.

Love is part and parcel to the Christian life. It has been said, “they will know we are Christians by our love” and it is true. However, to the self centered hedonistic (pleasure seeking) mindset, acts of loving service may not be so obvious or appreciated. The individual is often too absorbed in themselves to see it.

Repentance brings about dramatic and often drastic change in the life of a believer. It requires humility and an openness of faith that presents powerful evidence to an unbelieving world.

Live a lifestyle that includes repentance. Make your faithfulness to Christ a serious matter.

3. Pray for salvation
One of the most effective witnessing tools is prayer. Do not just pray for 10-15 minutes as you fall asleep at night. Pray specific prayers that involve the heart and emotions. Mean it when you pray.

Jesus cares about the small day-to-day details of our lives, but we must remember that He did not die on the Cross just for us to meet an attractive person, pass an exam, or to score the next great business deal. God Himself sacrificed everything on the cross to provide for our salvation; so that we could be rescued from sin. Knowing and being loved by God is the grandest privilege and honor we can ever have.

When we pray for the salvation of others, something marvelous begins to happen. Our hearts become like God’s heart. We want what God wants.

Whoever you are praying for, let them know you are praying for their salvation. Whenever possible, pray along with them for their salvation. If they have a health condition, pray for their health and their salvation. Above all other things, make salvation the priority of prayer.

4. Same message
The principle rule for telling others about Christ is “telling” others about Christ! Open your mouth and let the Holy Spirit fill it with the right things to say.

No one has all of the answers to all of sin’s objections, but we do not need to. We have been entrusted with a message and I have personally seen how the Holy Spirit successfully uses it over and over again.

Regardless of the situation or the sin, the same message fits all. “…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…” (1Tim 1:15) Jesus has come, suffered, and died on the cross on account of our sins. He was punished in our place with our punishment. He was raised from the dead by the power of God and now rules over all. The message is always sin, repentance, and faith in Christ. Jesus is the message. Only Jesus can forgive all sin and give eternal life. “For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved’” (Rom 10:13).

Again, the message of salvation is a message that confronts sin, commands repentance, and requires faith in the work of the cross of Jesus Christ. Gospel truth does not change because someone is enjoying themselves or otherwise.

Be assured. There is a great advantage to reaching a “pleasure seeking” world and it is this: They are “seeking.” Although they may be searching for happiness through pleasure, they are not finding it. There is no peace, no contentment apart from the forgiveness, and life only Jesus Christ of Nazareth can provide.

Jason Betler is evangelist and founder of the The Nations Hope (NationsHope.org). He is a passionate gospel-preacher to Asia and believes in equipping the Church to do the work of an evangelist. Jason is based in Singapore where he resides with his wife and family. More about Jason on: Twitter.com/jasonbetler