The Believer And Pleasure

by F. McCormick | Category: General | Jun 1958

We live in days when the world in general is demanding the maximum of pleasure. People are prepared to pay the price for it, even though very often this involves sacrificing some of the necessities of life. Wives, homes and children become secondary considerations in the pursuit of the pleasure men seek after. These may be found in one avenue or another according to individual inclinations. It is one of the characteristics of the last days,

"For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money ... no lovers of good ... lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" (2 Timothy 3.1-4).

There is one form of pleasure which has captured the imagination of the masses; in many homes it has become an idol; we speak of television. Children are fascinated by it, and it is not unknown that men of maturity have threatened to use the strike weapon to get alteration in their hours of work so that they may watch television. No doubt it is a wonderful discovery, and from the entertainment viewpoint it has become an obsession with many.

Is there anything wrong in all this? So far as the man in the world is concerned he has nothing better; the things which he loves are brought by means of television to his own fireside. He knows nothing of the joys and blessings which are found in Christ, and, alas, how true it may be, by this very means "the god of this world" is blinding "the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ ... should not dawn upon them." How shall we who have been delivered out of the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of the Son of His love regard these things? One thing is certain, that a new creature in Christ can never grow or be satisfied with worldly husks, nor can the Spirit of God dwell in the believer ungrieved if there is a manifest desire to partake in worldly pleasures. The word is clear : "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in Him" (1 John 2.15).

Young believers are often perplexed as to where they are to draw the line. Let us use a few illustrations. A piano is, within bounds, harmless and legitimate in the home, but if it is used for mere entertainment to excess it becomes a snare, and a musical evening may become more important and enjoyable than time spent in singing from the heart some of the songs of Zion. There exists today what the writer would call "religious jazz," lively catchy tunes set to words altogether unscriptural in many cases, which only serve to excite sentimental emotions and carry the mind away in fleshly ecstasy. The same may be said of the gramophone; perhaps little objection could be raised to playing perfectly innocent and sound records on occasion, but there is a tendency in human nature to explore the unknown, and it is known that some believers accumulate a pile of records which may be more suitable to the worldling. It is much easier to get people to a gathering where these things are in prominence than to a quiet coming-together for earnest prayer and sober meditation of the word of God. What we wish to say is this: there is a vast field of what may be considered as harmless, lawful, pleasurable pursuits, which if engaged in to excess may become a snare, and ere the believer is aware, he becomes a slave to what may have been commenced as a harmless pleasure.

There is another field also where believers need to exercise the utmost care. A vast array of literature is available today, books, magazines and papers of all descriptions. Some of these are pure fiction of a type altogether unfit for any spiritually minded person to read. They are suggestive and soul-destroying, defiling both heart and mind and should be ruthlessly avoided. Other books of fiction so grip the imagination that we have seen persons so absorbed in them that they have been almost unconscious of their surroundings. Would that we could see more Spirit-filled men so reading their Bibles! Certain types of newspapers also are a menace to those who would seek to maintain purity of heart. Such corrupting literature should be avoided and we should "be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding." The exhortation is : "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom" (Colossians 3. 16), and "let the heart be established by grace" beloved, "abhor that which is evil."

It will be seen that in the things we have mentioned and in many others, while there are no specific commandments forbidding them by name, there are principles of Scripture which are a safe guide in determining our attitude toward them. Firstly, let us consider, in addition to the detrimental effect on ourselves, the effect upon others if it be observed that we have become enslaved to any of these things. It will affect our testimony, it may become a stumbling-block to young or weak disciples for whom Christ died, and such may themselves be encouraged to partake in the same things; none of us liveth to himself. It may also be a cause of reproach by unbelievers if we engage in the things which they think a Christian should not be engrossed in. "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ" is the word to us, "commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God" (2 Corinthians 4.3). These are weighty and solemn considerations in the light of the judgement-seat of Christ, and we do well to ponder the paths of our feet. Secondly, there is the principle that in our consideration for others we should not please ourselves.

"Let each one of us please his neighbour for that which is good unto edifying" (Romans 15. 1-2). If this be so, it will lead us to the principle of voluntary self-denial. We should not indulge even in lawful things if they are a stumbling block or an occasion of falling (Romans 14.13), for "wounding their conscience when it is weak, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore," the

principle is, "if meat maketh my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I make not my brother to stumble

(1 Corinthians 8.7-18).

These are principles which apply to the matters we arc now considering, remembering also the word, "If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me" (Matthew 16.24). This denial of self and voluntary crucifixion is an essential condition of true discipleship. It is not an imposition to make us " kill-joys," but is designed for our highest spiritual good and happiness. Let us keep clear of all doubtful things, for "whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Let us of our own volition practise this selfdenial so that we "overthrow not for meat's sake the work of God." Let these principles guide us amidst the present perils to spiritual life, not the least of these being the danger of television in the home.

Many responsible people are now sensing the dangers latent in television, and " The Council for Children's Welfare" has instituted an investigation into the moral and physical dangers as affecting children. Parents report that in any one week something like a score of violent deaths arc seen on children's T.V. An American survey reports that 16,932 men, women and children died before the eyes of viewers in one year, very few from natural causes. Is it any wonder that alarm is growing concerning those children who arc taking in this diet of horror? Alas, 8,500,000 British children are developing a taste for this mass slaughter. What then is to be the future of those children who day after day sit impassively watching people clubbed senseless, shot dead, turned into human torches, or just quietly knifed? Much juvenile crime has had its origin in ideas picked up from the screen or television. Such is the deadening, demoralizing effect of watching these enacted crimes day by day, that they become accepted and common-place in the make up of the individual. Not only is this aspect a menace, but there is the obvious lowering of moral standards among older ones fostered also by this means. Some prominent men have raised their voices against these defiling influences and the effect on sexual morality.

In November, 1955, orthodox Jews throughout London were asked to ban T.V. from their homes. They were told, "It is the most contaminating influence of our time." A poster, signed by 150 British, Canadian, and American rabbis condemning T.V. as "a parade of depravity," was pinned to the synagogue notice boards, and the rabbis preached against it in their sermons.

If these be the fears and views of this cross-section of public welfare and religious opinion, what shall be the attitude of those professing the higher standards of God's spiritual house? Can we regard these matters with unconcern and levity ? If the effects be the lowering of the standards of conduct by men of the world in an ordered civilization, what adverse effects would it have upon disciples of the Lord? Can we think of any God-fearing mother wishing to expose her children to these contaminating influences? God forbid, nor should we be so foolish as to expose ourselves. Thankful we are that the leaders among God's people with spiritual insight have discerned the danger and have raised a warning voice.

"Admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ" (Colossians i. 28).

The danger is real, in the secrecy of the home; like the water which wears away the stone, the daily impact of the baneful influences of television leaves its indelible mark upon heart and mind, distracting and polluting the soul, and resulting in estrangement from God and the destruction of individual testimony.

Those who seek to tend the little Flock have themselves eschewed television because of its inherent dangers, so that they may by example and teaching guide and guard the sheep of His pasture. It is realized, that if television is found in the homes of God's people as an instrument of pleasure it would be a calamity of the first magnitude. You cannot take poison without being poisoned, and right well does the Devil know how to administer it. Someone may plead that there are some nice things, useful things, things which are lawful and helpful on T.V. ; this may be so, but if you bring it into your home and bite the sandwich, the poisonous mixture will be taken unawares, its deadly work will be done, the soul will become estranged from God, and " the backsliding of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity (careless case, R.V.M.) of fools shall destroy them" (Proverbs 1.32). Such is the subtle power of this device that the only safe course is voluntarily to banish it from the home. Few, if any, will remain unscathed if it becomes a companion of the daily life. It is not a matter of how near we can walk to the edge of the precipice, but how far we can keep ourselves from danger.

Whoso hearkeneth unto Me shall dwell securely" (Proverbs 1. 35).

"I thirst, but not as once I did

The vain delights of earth to share

Thy wounds, Immanuel, all forbid

That I should seek my pleasure there."

"But far be it from me to glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world hath been crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (Galatians 6.14).

THE BELIEVERS' PLEASURES

As pilgrims and strangers passing through this world we are to use it and not abuse it, we are to be in subjection to the higher powers, and live honestly in the sight of all men. Our behaviour is to be seemly among the Gentiles, walking as sons of light and of the day, we are to pass the time of our sojourning in fear, "That ye may be blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world " (Philippians 2.15).

The time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles which was an excess (flood) of riotous living and revelling. The cross has cut us off from our former manner of life, and we seek higher and better joys and pleasures as we journey on to a better country and city. The believer has untold joy in his salvation and in his Saviour, he knows the happiness of the man whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered, and is able to rejoice in hope of the glory of God. His heart is filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory as he remembers that his name is written in heaven, that he has an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled and unfading, and that very soon he is going to see the One who has saved him, and who is now preparing a place to which He will take him when He comes again. He is sure that it will not be long, for He has said, "Behold I come quickly; and My reward is with Me," therefore the joy of anticipation fills the heart of the expectant believer. This is the "blessed hope" which should make every believer leap for joy, and in the light of it, order his walk and life aright. Moreover, this moment of supreme joy when we meet our glorious Redeemer will be followed by those eternal ages wherein God will show the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. With this untold wealth and blessing, why should we turn to the fleeting pleasures of this doomed and perishing world for satisfaction and happiness? It has none of lasting value, and the believer's testimony is this

" That none but Christ can satisfy,

None other name for me

There's love and life and lasting joy,

Lord Jesus found in Thee."

But where is He now? He is seated on the right hand of God; therefore, set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth. It is the set of the mind which matters. Shall it be heavenward or earthward ? It is true of the Son as of the Father, that

"In Thy presence is fulness of joy

In Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore " (Psalm 16. 11).

Shall those who seek their pleasure in God's house be disappointed ? Never!

They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house; And Thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy pleasures" (Psalm 36.8).

The pleasures of God are in Christ and what He has done. God is eternally satisfied in Him, and the joys of God flow like a river from the throne, " the streams whereof make glad the city of God of these pleasures we may freely drink. Here is sufficient to cause us to " Rejoice evermore," for

"Whom have I in heaven but Thee?

And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee" (Psalm 73.25).

F. McCormick | Jun 1958
General