associated with an ungodly lifestyle?
gives us three important steps to follow to avoid the pitfalls of handling pleasure in this world. They are: (1) Seek your chief pleasure in the time you spend with God. (2) Keep yourself away from all sinful pleasures. (3) Receive good pleasures from God with thanksgiving, making sure always that God has first priority over them.
Every Christian must consider the following questions honestly. Have you been putting pleasure before God? Have you been secretly indulging in some form of pleasure which you know He does not approve of? Have you grown cold in spiritual things because you have become involved in pleasures that are closely associated with the sinful lifestyle of this world? In areas where we have fallen short, we must ask the Lord's forgiveness and his strength to help us start afresh to live our lives for Him rather than for ourselves.
Discussion Questions
1. What can you do to make God your greatest source of pleasure?
2. Are you pursuing any forms of pleasure that are questionable or sinful?
3. Are you pursuing any forms of pleasure that are closely associated with an ungodly lifestyle?
4. Are there any legitimate pleasures that have taken up more of your time and energy than it should?
62 A Christian in a Non-Christian World