i hear so many christians say God just wants you to be happy. and God just wants you to enjoy yourself. what up with that?
i mean, from the bible, when God was actually here, He was totally giving people hard times. He had people walk around a desert for 40 years. and maybe some people would enjoy that journey, but those people didn't seem to enjoy their never-ending search for the ocean.
Where does this notion that we're supposed to just kick back and overdose on whatever makes us happy come from? And doesn't that sound more like something the devil would want from? And wouldn't he be such a smart devil if he could trick christians into advocating that message as one from God?
2007-09-15 01:08:27 · 27 answers · asked by the grand super C 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The best way to answer your question is to examine the life of God among us, Jesus Christ.
Jesus did enjoy this life on earth. He loved his family, especially his mother. He was often invited to weddings and dinner parties. He came eating and drinking. When people accused him of being a glutton and a drunkard, he said that people can't fast when the bridegroom is among them. People loved Jesus so possessively that they actually endangered him; he often had to enter the wilderness to find solace with his Father.
Oddly, we never read that Jesus laughed, and in only one scripture does he talk about his joy (John 15:11). He was a man of great sorrow. Eventually he was tortured to death because he refused to recant his testimony that he is the Son of God.
It should be clear from the example of Jesus that empty pleasure-seeking is not in God's plan for us. He has serious work and accomplishment planned for his people.
Cheers,
Bruce
2007-09-22 17:31:20 · answer #1 · answered by Bruce 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have some excellent points.
I tend to read the Gospels more than the old testament-
there's nothing like the Word from it's source (Christ).
It seems Christ's groove was about Unconditional Love, which is not always a good time.
Like everything else, particularly in religion, it's all subjective; dependent upon the interpretation. While I would hope that God wants us to enjoy ourselves and be happy, I feel that if our 'happiness' included using crack and heroine and going on violent crime sprees, God would most likely not approve.
I think you've hit the nail on the head about 'just being happy' is more a message from the devil- if you think about it, if one seeks only their own happiness, it's quite selfish. I'm sure Christ wasn't feeling 'happy' as he was being crucified.
While the intentions of Christians, or any other follower of any religion for that matter, may be well meaning, the results produced from oversimplifying end up wreaking havoc.
This is just my humble opinion; I encourage you to keep reading on your own and to keep asking questions; when in doubt, go directly to the source- Pray.
Good job of not just blindly accepting answers-
Christ was big on that, too.
2007-09-15 01:34:52 · answer #2 · answered by No one of consequence. 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Having a relationship with God and knowing that your sins have been forgiven brings you a sense of peace. Does God want us to enjoy life? Of course, however, he set the ground rules (Ten Commandments, see Exodus chapter 20). And for the record, the reason that the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years is because they disobeyed God. That is something I definately don't want to do. The best way I can say it is this, God hates the sin, not the sinner. The Bible is the roadmap to live by, so read the book and don't wait for the movie.
2007-09-15 01:31:19 · answer #3 · answered by Dozer 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What's up with that is that God does want you to be happy and have fun, but He wants you to be safe as well. He also wants you to treat others as you want to be treated.
IS having sex with a dozen different people safe? No
Is getting drunk and passing out every pther night safe? No
Is murdering people an example of treating people well? No
Is cheating on your income tax safe? No
Is committing slander/libel safe or wise? No
Is taking drugs smart or safe? No
Some teenagers may think it's not a fun life unless you do all those things, but mature people know that none of those things are fun, safe, or wise choices to make.
2007-09-15 01:34:35 · answer #4 · answered by batgirl2good 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
IDK where many ideas that folks have come from. However, this is, in part, what I believe. I don't think God wants us to rest on our heels, but I don't think he forces us to do anything. I believe in reincarnation. We can chose to remain in spirit, where we learn very slowly, or we can choose to be "born again" into the earth, basically that means we go to school. We learn faster when we are in human form rather than spirit form. I also believe in karma. Karma is not punishment, it's a way of teaching. We get to be the receiver of those things we did wrong during other lives. Walk a mile in the shoes of one we have hurt so to speak. When someone lives an evil life, it does not mean they will necessarily be punished for it during this lifetime. They may go through hell, (and I have an unusual idea of what this is), before they have the option to come back, but when they do, they will have to live through the karma they have created. They will, just as we all will, learn from what they do, or they may be evil all the way through. If they are, there is no choice left but to destroy the evil.
Blessed Be
2007-09-15 01:29:10 · answer #5 · answered by Linda B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God has much bigger plans than just wanting you to be happy. Hence the real serious deal about sin and stuff.
But that doesn't mean he wants everyone to be miserable either. So the stereotype that God is anti-anything-fun is wrong too.
And in case it encourages you - I like to think of life as being a bit like surfing. It's more fun to ride the waves than to get dunked by them.:)
2007-09-23 00:01:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good point. I think people choose to believe whatever they want, but in general the old testament portrays a powerful god that should be feared. With the new testament came a supposedly new side of god that showed more love and mercy.
Either way, I think all Christians would agree that this life isn't meant purely for enjoyment. It is more of a test to see how you can handle it, how you treat people, etc. to decide on your eternal salvation.
2007-09-15 01:19:57 · answer #7 · answered by *coral* 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Regarding the Israelites, they walked around in the desert for 40 years because they disobeyed God, not because that was God's will. God didn't put us here just to indulge ourselves or have a good time (at least in the way you probably mean it). God put us here for a purpose—and that purpose is to live for Him and experience the joy of His presence every day.
The problem is, God wants to be at the center of our lives‐but so do we. We want to run our own lives and be free to do anything we please because we think that must be the path to happiness. But when we live only for ourselves, we find it doesn't bring us happiness after all. In fact, a life of self-indulgence only leads to emptiness. The Bible warns, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (Proverbs 14:12).
But God has another way for us—His way! It alone is the way of peace, and it alone will bring us true happiness. Not only that, but His path alone will lead us to heaven. What is that way? It is the way of the cross—Christ's cross. On the cross Christ took away all our sins and selfishness, and now He wants to come into our lives and replace them with His love.
Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10). Turn to Christ today and ask Him to come into your life. Then ask Him to begin changing you from within—and He will, as you yield your life to Him and allow His Word, the Bible, to shape your life every day.
2007-09-15 02:17:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
God was eliminating all the disobedient children of Israel, preparing for the coming of the Messiah. Now if you don't have children here is what God was doing. You have 5 girlfriends, and only one of them wants to stay pure until she is married, and the other 4, is messing around not only with you but with some of your friends too. Now who are you going to marry and have kids by, the girl that is saving herself, or the 4 who is fooling with Dick, Tom, and Harry, and you. Well if you picked the girl who is saving herself. That is the same way with God, He need a pure vessel to birth the Messiah, and disobedience caused them to walk around in the wilderness 40 years, but they all did not suffer during that 40 year journey, only the ones who complained. Read again about the Spies who was sent out to spy out the land.
2007-09-21 15:37:10 · answer #9 · answered by swishersweets97 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, God isn't real, so the question doesn't matter.
However, from the Christian perspective, why shouldn't man enjoy himself on Earth? Have fun while on Earth however you can, no matter if it's defined as good or evil! Then, on you're death bed say "I love Jesus Christ and I am sorry for everything I have done that is bad or evil and would like to enter his kingdom. Please forgive me lord." Then you go to heaven.
Wait, wait, wait... Is anyone else noticing a flaw here?
2007-09-21 23:19:26 · answer #10 · answered by asourapple100 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋