Pleasure-making, within the context of the Bible, refers to the pursuit and enjoyment of activities that bring delight and satisfaction. The Scriptures provide a nuanced view of pleasure, acknowledging both its rightful place in human experience and the potential dangers of its misuse.

Biblical Perspective on Pleasure

The Bible recognizes that God created the world and everything in it for His glory and for human enjoyment. In Genesis 1:31, God saw all that He had made, and it was "very good." This includes the capacity for pleasure, which is part of God's good creation. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 states, "I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and do good while they live, and also that every man should eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his labor—this is the gift of God."

Pleasure in the Context of Worship and Thanksgiving

Pleasure is often associated with worship and thanksgiving in the Bible. The Psalms frequently speak of joy and delight in the presence of God. Psalm 16:11 declares, "You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." This indicates that true pleasure is found in a relationship with God and in the enjoyment of His presence.

Warnings Against Excessive Pleasure-seeking

While the Bible acknowledges the legitimacy of pleasure, it also warns against excessive indulgence and the pursuit of pleasure as an end in itself. Proverbs 21:17 cautions, "He who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich." This suggests that an unrestrained pursuit of pleasure can lead to spiritual and material poverty.

The New Testament echoes this sentiment, urging believers to exercise self-control and to avoid the hedonistic lifestyle that characterized the pagan world. In 2 Timothy 3:4 , Paul warns of those who are "lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God," indicating a misplaced priority that can lead to moral and spiritual decay.

Pleasure in the Context of Community and Fellowship

The Bible also highlights the role of pleasure in community and fellowship. Acts 2:46 describes the early church: "With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart." This portrays a community where pleasure is experienced in the context of shared meals and fellowship, reflecting the joy of communal life.

The Role of Pleasure in the Christian Life

For Christians, pleasure is to be enjoyed within the boundaries set by God’s commandments and in alignment with His purposes. The pursuit of pleasure should not overshadow the pursuit of holiness and righteousness. Romans 14:17 reminds believers, "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit."

In summary, the Bible presents pleasure as a gift from God that is to be enjoyed responsibly and in accordance with His will. It is a legitimate part of human experience, yet it must be balanced with a commitment to live a life that honors God and serves others.

Then, Having Shown that Eunomius' Calumny against the Great Basil ...
... of as ungenerate, we shall give the final vote against ourselves: but if he is
fabricating false charges and calumnies at his pleasure, making any fictitious ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 4 then having shown.htm

Some Helpful Thoughts on Consecration
... He can use all of these things according to his own good pleasure, making any
disposition of them which might seem good in his sight, for they are his, not ours ...
/.../byers/sanctification/chapter xi some helpful thoughts.htm

Pleasure-making (1 Occurrence)
Pleasure-making. Pleasure-loving, Pleasure-making. Pleasures .
Multi-Version Concordance Pleasure-making (1 Occurrence). ...
/p/pleasure-making.htm - 6k

Pleasures (18 Occurrences)

/p/pleasures.htm - 11k

Fighting (201 Occurrences)
... Romans 13:13 With right behaviour as in the day; not in pleasure-making and drinking,
not in bad company and unclean behaviour, not in fighting and envy. (BBE). ...
/f/fighting.htm - 37k

Drinking (114 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Romans 13:13 With right behaviour as in the day; not in pleasure-making and
drinking, not in bad company and unclean behaviour, not in fighting and envy. ...
/d/drinking.htm - 38k

Pleasure-loving (1 Occurrence)
Pleasure-loving. Pleasure, Pleasure-loving. Pleasure-making . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (WEY). Pleasure, Pleasure-loving. Pleasure-making . Reference Bible
/p/pleasure-loving.htm - 6k

Behaviour (115 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Romans 13:13 With right behaviour as in the day; not in pleasure-making and
drinking, not in bad company and unclean behaviour, not in fighting and envy. ...
/b/behaviour.htm - 35k

Behave (18 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Romans 13:13 With right behaviour as in the day; not in pleasure-making and
drinking, not in bad company and unclean behaviour, not in fighting and envy. ...
/b/behave.htm - 11k

Bad (129 Occurrences)
... Romans 13:13 With right behaviour as in the day; not in pleasure-making and drinking,
not in bad company and unclean behaviour, not in fighting and envy. (BBE). ...
/b/bad.htm - 37k

Company (287 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Romans 13:13 With right behaviour as in the day; not in pleasure-making and
drinking, not in bad company and unclean behaviour, not in fighting and envy. ...
/c/company.htm - 40k

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