Lovers of Pleasure More Than Lovers of God

The scripture mentions people who are “lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God;” 2 Timothy 5:6. So, what are the pleasures of today’s world that distracts us from God?

Aside from the fleshly pleasures enjoyed by humanity throughout time, such as revelry, drunkenness, idolatry, and lasciviousness, people not only take pleasure in such activities today, but also take pleasure in roles and jobs in society that contribute to the ungodliness of the world.

The scripture reads: “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” 1 Corinthians 6:12. Paul warns believers not to allow any of the pleasures of life to distract them away from the purpose of serving God nor to allow anything to take total control over the mind or the body, that would corrupt a believer’s behavior.

Fleshly Pleasures

There are mindless distractions in our lives that steal our attention away from the worship of God, such as entertainment in television, music, competitive games (sports), gambling and other cultural activities and events we partake in and take for granted as perfectly acceptable along in our walk with God. Many of these distractions are not necessarily mentioned as sins in the Bible, but they are pleasures in life that take our focus off God and could lead to a more sinful lifestyle.

For instance, games of competition (sports) have become more popular today on an international scale such as soccer, golf, basketball, tennis and such, and are major distractions to both men and women. When money, fame, and world competition come into play, sports can lead to a gambling addiction, control of the market, and exploitation of the athletes, which are all ungodly behaviors.

When individuals become so absorbed with sports that they devote their lives to it, they tend to neglect family and their duty to God, and fall into temptations by giving it power to take control over their minds and body. Spectators become obsessed also to the same end and they lose control to gambling addictions. Fans can become violent, celebratory to a destructive end while drinking, vandalizing and terrorizing the surrounding community. This is all ungodly behavior.

The entertainment industry has become more seductive and deceptive not only through direct networking to the public, but through advertising via television and music. The Bible mentions entertainment in theatrics and music, but when that entertainment causes people to commit abominable acts against themselves and others, then it is considered dangerous to our salvation.

Television in itself is not sinful, but the content can be. Society can use television as a positive tool to enhance life in the world, but instead violence, sex, and lascivious lifestyles of wealth and riches, are popular culture and infiltrate the public’s minds to fill it with lustful desires, wantonness and covetousness.

All music is perfectly fine if it has no lyrics or have godly lyrics, and is a biblical concept, but in today’s world of popular culture, the lyrics can be vulgar, tasteless and vile to the ears and state of mind, yet is promoted by multimillion dollar production companies that believe the public is asking for more. The people behind these corporations have convinced themselves that sex and violence sell, to which it earns them more money. Thereby, “the love of money is the root of all evil” 1 Timothy 6:10.

Sinful Roles and Jobs

Society would not behave with such recklessness if the behavior was not pushed on them through all available means every day; through the Internet, television and radio. Yet, aside from modern technology, there are other systems in society that act as liaisons to sin and ungodliness, such as medicine, law, and other professional and governmental services that are contrary to godliness.

Selling and distributing alcohol leads to drunkenness and even death for some people. The manufacturing of guns and other weaponry, legalized and highly addictive drugs through pharmaceuticals; the malpractice of the law whereby the lawyers and judges are known for prosecuting the innocent for the sake of a dark money. Police officers who kill innocent people, government social workers who take children from their parents who are divorcing or poor, based on a set protocol of bureaucratic and programmed legalities, and not on understanding or compassion.

Moreover, there are unjust banking regulations that intentionally deprive those they consider unworthy of credit, which contributes to the oppression of the poor; laws that shut poor people out of society, government ordinances and tax laws that favor those who have money; a consolidated world market that caters to the wealthy to maintain control over the masses. This is all ungodly.

Believers who work for companies that contribute to the oppression of the poor, and that magnify the revelry and lasciviousness of society should not partake in these sinful acts; the scripture reads: “neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.” And “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” 1 Timothy 5:22 and Revelation 18:4.

Individual Interpretation of Ungodly Behavior

Aside from the direct sins of the Bible such as the Commandments, there are ungodly behaviors spoken of that many believers take more seriously than others, such as recognizing holidays, wearing makeup, drinking, smoking, cussing, and even joking too much; “neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks” Ephesians 5:4.

However, what are sinful acts and ungodly behavior to some may not be to others. It is all based on the measure of faith a believer has. The scripture says: “Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth” Romans 14:22. However, that does not mean people should allow or partake in any and all behaviors that are clearly sinful. 

Other sinful behaviors and activities to most people - not directly mentioned in the word - include certain technology like using cellphones, watching television, or surfing the Internet; others believe playing cards, dating, going to the beach, wearing tattoos, or burning candles and incense is ungodly. These, and other unmentionables are behaviors some believers choose to avoid because they are considered demonic behavior and too closely related to the mentionable sins. The bible tells us, however, that if some believers consider certain behaviors sinful and others do not, they should not do them in front of others if that thing offends them.

“Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend” 1 Corinthians 8:13. The entire eighth chapter of 1 Corinthians should be read for more clarity.

Whatever behaviors distract us from full worship of the Lord or takes away from our growth in the Spirit, we should avoid. Living a lifestyle in good conscious is also a sign that the believe has grown into the lifestyle God requires, which means avoiding activities and careers that lead to the ungodly living of others in society.

Our Purpose to the Lord

As believers, we are to rely wholly on the power of the Holy Ghost to wash us and purge us from all sinful and ungodly behavior, but it takes our desire to be as clean and pure as possible for the Lord. We must at least understand what behaviors and temptations will drive us away from a godly lifestyle.

We must also understand that there are certain career choices and activities that can corrupt our walk with God and lead us deeper into demonic behavior. The lust of the flesh is always present with us so we should try to constantly walk in the Spirit and stay in the word and in prayer. Our mind, body and soul belong to the Lord so we must dedicate it all to him.

“…then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” 1 Thessalonians 4:17. The closer we are in the Spirit to the Lord when he returns, the more acceptable we are to Him, instead of risking being caught at the lowest level of the flesh when he returns.