MEMORY VERSE: “ Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” 2 Timothy 3:4.
BIBLE PASSAGE: 2 Peter 2:13-14.
INTRODUCTION
Lovers of pleasures referred to here are those who have made priority the physical gratifying or indulgence of their personal desires in their dealings in life. Such sensual gratifications have become their god with a small ‘g’; and therefore, they love and serve them instead of the true living God. These people live for pleasure without restraints and are overly concerned with their interests above others. Paul, in 2 Timothy 3:1-4 states lovers of pleasures as a sign of the last days. He used the Greek word ‘philodonos’ meaning “lovers of pleasures” to emphasise that society will become engrossed and obsessed with the pursuit of their comfort, happiness, wellbeing and pleasure to the exclusion of all else that might matter. We shall examine the dangers of sensual pleasures and remind ourselves how to make priority the bringing of pleasure to God in all we do.
OUTLINES
- DANGERS OF SENSUAL PLEASURES
- CREATED FOR GOD’S PLEASURE
- DANGERS OF SENSUAL PLEASURES
Sensual pleasure is a fleshy, physically gratifying desire or worldly pleasure that naturally extinguishes all love and sense of God 2 Timothy 3:2-5. Some of the inherent dangers of these types of pleasures include: the word of God having no root in them because of the cares of this world and love for the pleasures of life Luke 8:14. Those who are given to sensual pleasures are careless in the way they live Isaiah 47:8. Their incessant love for pleasures often results in poverty because of misplaced priorities or mismanagement of resources they have Proverbs 21:16-17. They are sold out to lustful desires and turn a blind eye to God’s way Titus 3:3; Romans 1:32.These people will come under divine judgement because they take pleasure in sin 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; 1 John 5:17a.It is rather unfortunate that these people are spiritually dead while they live to satisfy only sensual pleasures Romans 8:6; 1 Timothy 5:6. The reward of unrighteousness awaits them 2 Peter 2:13.
Those who take pleasure in fleshly lusts are not subject to God’s law and experience limited spiritual growth because they refuse to leave the baby stage of faith choosing rather to keep exhibiting other carnal traits like strife, envy, etc. Romans 8:7; 1 Corinthians 3:1-3. Those in this category are committed to satisfying themselves and pursue after mundane or earthly relevant things. Their ‘god’ is whatever their belly delights in Numbers 11:4; Philippians 2:21; Philippians 3:18-19. When every man is eager for what he can get, and anxious to keep what he has, this makes men dangerous to one another.
2. CREATED FOR GOD’S PLEASURE
We are created for God’s pleasure, and we must as a priority give Him glory and honour all the time Revelation 4:11. One of the ways to give God glory is to acknowledge Him in all that we do Proverbs 3:6; Jeremiah 9.23-24; when this is done in complete obedience, it is opens the way for God to bless us with all – round prosperity in all we do Job 36:11. We honour God when we surrender totally to Him Psalm 37:5; 55:22.
We also give pleasure to God when we do the following: live uprightly 1 Chronicles 29:17; stay away from anything that defiles us in anyway Ezra 10:10; 2 Corinthians 6:14; trust Him enough to totally to do His will Psalm 36:7-8; Psalm 103:21; seek to know Him by cultivating a deeper personal walk with Him daily Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5; fear Him and hope in His mercy Psalm 147:10-11.
CONCLUSION
Love God and serve Him passionately; carnal pleasure is enmity against God. Love not the world!
FURTHER READING
Sun: 1 John 2:16.
Mon: Proverbs 21:17.
Tues: 1 Peter 4:3.
Wed: Titus 2:11-13.
Thurs: Colossians 3:2.
Fri: Mark 4:19.
Sat: 2 Peter 2:13.