Are You Fixated on Pleasure or Joy?

When I look around at all the problems in the world today, especially the rampant 7 deadly sins, I believe that a good amount of them result from a fixation on pleasure vs. real joy. Pleasure promises us momentary happiness. Joy gives us deep, enduring happiness.

The 7 deadly sins, especially greed, lust, sloth, pride and gluttony, promise us more temporary pleasure, and so often we trade them for real joy. When you put your pleasure first, what happens to you? To those around you? To your community? To the wider world that you live in? There are moral consequences for you and others, directly and indirectly.

Here are some examples. Think of greed. When I’m greedy and buy too much for myself, there’s less for another. Think of sex. When I’m lustful, I demean the object of my lust. Think of sloth. When I’m lazy, I don’t do my duties which puts the burden on someone else. Think of gluttony. When I eat or drink too much, someone else is going hungry or thirsty. Think of pride. If I put myself on a pedestal, I reduce (or can’t see) another’s honor.

I believe God wants our joy and happiness in life, and He knows that we want those things too. But wisdom shows us that lasting joy and happiness don’t come from sinful pleasures and falling into temptation. They come from doing the will of God and following the path of life that He calls us to walk in. They come from conquering our carnal desires with fruits of the spirit (temperance, prudence, self control, love, etc.).  

Yes, there might be some suffering or trial in not getting what you desire in that moment, but there’s always a cross in the path of joy. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection shows us that. Self-denial and taking up one’s cross is necessary for following the Lord faithfully and receiving His promises -- like joy.

You can have pleasure, but there’s a cost. Follow instead the path of joy. That’s what you really want anyway.