Topical Bible: Character of the Wicked: Lovers of Pleasure More than of God

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The Bible provides a clear depiction of those who prioritize worldly pleasures over a relationship with God, often categorizing them as wicked. This characteristic is highlighted in several passages, emphasizing the spiritual dangers and moral decline associated with such a lifestyle.

Biblical References

One of the most direct references to this trait is found in 2 Timothy 3:1-4, where the Apostle Paul warns Timothy about the perilous times to come: "But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God." . This passage lists a series of vices that characterize the wicked, with the love of pleasure being a significant indicator of their spiritual state.

Theological Implications

The love of pleasure over God is seen as a form of idolatry, where individuals place their desires and gratification above their devotion to the Creator. This is contrary to the greatest commandment, as stated by Jesus in Matthew 22:37-38: "Jesus declared, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment." . When pleasure becomes the primary pursuit, it usurps the place that God should hold in a person's life, leading to a distorted moral compass and spiritual decay.

Moral and Spiritual Consequences

The pursuit of pleasure often leads to a life marked by sin and separation from God. Romans 1:24-25 describes the consequences of such a lifestyle: "Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen." . This passage illustrates how the love of pleasure can lead to a rejection of divine truth and a life enslaved to sinful desires.

Contrast with the Righteous

In contrast, the righteous are called to live a life of self-control and godliness, as seen in Titus 2:11-12: "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age." . The righteous prioritize their relationship with God, seeking to align their desires with His will and finding true fulfillment in His presence.

Warnings and Exhortations

Scripture repeatedly warns against the dangers of prioritizing pleasure over God. In James 4:4, believers are admonished: "You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God." . This stark warning serves as a call to examine one's heart and ensure that God remains the ultimate source of joy and satisfaction.

Conclusion

The character of the wicked, as lovers of pleasure more than of God, serves as a cautionary example for believers. The Bible consistently calls for a life that seeks God above all else, recognizing that true joy and fulfillment are found in Him alone.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Timothy 3:4
Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

A Preservative against Unsettled Notions, and Want of Principles ...
... Be not over-much wicked, neither be ... Such is the language, my beloved lovers of Christian
perfection, which ... But the doctor by realizing that character is himself ...
/.../a preservative against unsettled notions.htm

part ii
... Such wretches as are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God ... It is the character
of a hypocrite, to make a ... more would be tractable, and the wicked would be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/part ii.htm

"Who Will Rise up with Me against the Wicked?"
... of some to "rise up against the wicked," and join ... from among you any who do not answer
the preceding character. ... this is not all: If you are lovers of mankind ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 52 who will rise.htm

Letter vii. --For 335. Easter-Day iv Pharmuthi, iii Kal. April; xx ...
... death, and calling to those who are lovers of pleasure ... 6. Now wicked men hunger for
bread like this ... are adduced in them, to illustrate the character of sinners ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter vii for 335 easter-day iv.htm

The Sons of God
... people of the Lord, under their visible character of believers ... came out from the
midst of a wicked world, and ... of the title, for they might be lovers of strife ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/the sons of god.htm

2 Timothy iii. 4-Jan
... Such is the character of deceivers ... Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God ... some
who have done bad actions are quit of them here; and of the wicked, some have ...
/.../homily viii 2 timothy iii.htm

Scriptural Predictions of an Apostasy.
... may deliberately discard his Christian character and act like ... Wicked and designing
men are tolerated and ... high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter ii scriptural predictions of.htm

On Clothes.
... and dyeing of the hair, and the wicked arts that ... has been said of those unornamental
lovers of ornaments ... more manifestly, so also beauty of character shows its ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xi name clothes.htm

Homilies on the Epistles to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.
... difficulties undergone to gain, [3570]ib.; lovers of, really ... a Church, [3681]ib.;
his character admirable, [3682 ... accounts for prosperity of the wicked, [3771]ib ...
/.../homilies on the epistles to.htm

Delivered from Prison
... the people to study the life and character of Jesus ... This festival was attended by
pleasure lovers from all quarters ... stroke that he smote the wicked king, laying ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 15 delivered from prison.htm