But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. 1 Timothy 5:6
In every city around the world, millions of people are always on the go and appearing to be living. Going from place to place, working, playing, everyone appears to be alive. Places to find entertainment and pleasure can be found on every corner and all across the internet. People love to have a good time doing what they love that takes their minds off of their troubles. It makes them feel as if they are alive and doing well.
As Paul was talking about taking care of widows in the church, he mentions that some widows only seek to live in pleasure. That widow is one who is dead even as she is living.
Running around from party to party and having a good time gives the appearance of really living life. There appears to be joy and excitement. The world promotes the idea that the individual has the right and need to be able to have a good time doing whatever one likes. There are not to be any consequences for doing what pleases self.
Although on the outside they are alive, people are often dead on the inside. There is no real hope in their lives. Purpose evades them. All that exists is seeking the next pleasure for the moment to deaden the pain of sin and suffering.
Rather than false living in pleasure of self, believers are to give their lives over to pleasing God and finding pleasure in God. Dying to self and sin is painful at first, but allows God to fill one with His life and purpose. Doing the work God has called one to do will bring about purpose and pleasure that will last for eternity and that the world cannot know or understand.
Finding pleasure in this world, using the world’s ways, will only lead to death and hopelessness. You may find pleasure in the moment but will be dead in your spirit. Seek to do God’s will and find pleasure in pleasing Him. He will fill you with His joy and purpose that will endure the trials of life. Do not allow yourself to be the person who is living on the surface, but is dead in the spirit. Live the full and abundant life God has planned for you each day.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know the joy of pleasing God; that you will live to do God’s will; that you will find life in Jesus; and that you will not be the walking dead.
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This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Insights from Tom
