Pleasure is a facet of our human experience that carries immense value, and the Bible demonstrates different perspectives about the pursuit of pleasure. The Bible not only acknowledges the validity of pleasure but also guides us on how to experience it in alignment with a life of righteousness and faith. In various verses, it highlights that enjoyment originates from God and that human pleasure should not encourage giving into sinful desires, but a celebration of God’s blessings.
Why Understanding Pleasure from the Bible’s Lens is Important
The Bible prompts us to view earthly pleasures in the context of eternity. It stresses that pleasures of this world are fleeting and are often misleading. It encourages us to seek God’s brand of pleasure, which transcends our worldly understanding. The Bible advises caution in our pursuit of pleasure, reminding us not to let it lead us into sinning. It recognizes the lure of excessive pleasure and warns against its dangers. The Bible further advises us to prioritize its teachings and directives while engaging with things we derive pleasure from, maintaining a balance guided by righteousness.
What the Bible Teaches about Enjoyment and Pleasure
The Bible’s narrative on pleasure is one of balance and wisdom. It teaches us that enjoyment is a gift from God, who wants His creation to revel in His blessings. Several verses suggest that taking delight in worldly things is not wrong. Still, they also underline the importance of not making pleasure-seeking our ultimate goal. The Bible informs us that excessive indulgence often blinds us to things of substantial spiritual value, such as kindness, humility, and obedience to God. It guides us to find pleasure in serving God and others, appreciated not only in this life but also in eternity.
Where Pleasure Intersects with God’s Grace in the Bible
The Bible inspires us to find pleasure in God’s grace and goodness. In many narratives, pleasure is derived from drawing closer to God and serving Him. This pleasure, in its pure form, reflects appreciation for God’s grace and aligns perfectly with leading a spiritually fulfilling life. It is the type of pleasure that is more fulfilling and everlasting as opposed to the temporal, worldly pleasures. The pleasure derived from God’s grace becomes a channel to experience joy, peace, and contentment in every circumstance, thereby celebrating God’s love in its most expansive sense.
Who Finds Lasting Pleasure According to the Bible
According to the teachings in the Bible, those who live in obedience to God find lasting pleasure. They find joy and satisfaction not only in situations that seemingly offer pleasure but also in circumstances that challenge human understanding of pleasure. This lasting pleasure is rooted in trust and faith in God and is independent of changing situations and contexts. Notably, consistently seeking God and His wisdom is purported to yield a sense of pleasure and well-being that far exceeds what the world offers.
When to Seek Pleasure According to the Bible
The Bible encourages us to seek pleasure in our daily lives, provided it does not conflict with righteous living. It advocates the idea that pleasure can be appropriately sought at any time when it emerges from gratitude for God’s blessings and works in alignment with His teachings. The Bible encourages us to experience pleasure in fulfilling our responsibilities, serving others, and living a life of obedience to God. As we incorporate these teachings, we discover that real pleasure isn’t confined to specific times or limited to certain activities but pervades our entire life as we walk in alignment with God’s will.
Below is our full list of bible verses on pleasure (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Pleasure
Proverbs 21:17
“17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.”
Related Themes: Lust Indulgence Finances Money
Psalm 16:11
“11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
Related Themes: Joy Life Attitude Loneliness Birthday
2 Timothy 2:22
“22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
1 Corinthians 10:13
“13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
Related Themes: Lust Self-Control Addiction Strength Temptation
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
“18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
“1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:5 I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:6 I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:7 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.”
Related Themes: Vanity Sovereignty Frustration Indulgence
Galatians 5:19-21
“19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Lust Bitterness Adultery
Luke 8:14
“14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.”
Hebrews 13:4
“4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”
1 Timothy 5:6
“6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.”
Related Themes: Lust Indulgence
1 Timothy 6:17
“17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;”
Related Themes: Money Pride Money Homelessness Hope
1 Thessalonians 4:4
“4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;”
Related Themes: Holiness Lust Self Gratification Self Respect
Romans 13:12-14
“12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
1 Corinthians 6:18
“18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.”
Colossians 3:5
“5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:”
1 Corinthians 10:7
“7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”
Romans 12:1
“1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
2 Timothy 3:4
“4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;”
Related Themes: Reverence Lust Self Gratification
1 John 1:9
“9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Related Themes: Repentance Forgiveness Bitterness Lust Attitude
Ephesians 5:3
“3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;”
Galatians 2:20
“20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
1 Peter 4:3-4
“3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Indulgence Gluttony Idolatry
2 Timothy 3:1-5
“1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
Related Themes: Manipulation Gossip Boasting Narcissism Pride
Ezekiel 18:23
“23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?”
Related Themes: Repentance Pleasing God Forgiveness
Ecclesiastes 2:1
“1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.”
Related Themes: Vanity Sovereignty Frustration Indulgence
Isaiah 47:8
“8 Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children:”
Related Themes: Lust Indulgence
Ezekiel 33:11
“11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?”
Related Themes: Repentance Pleasing God
Ezekiel 18:32
“32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.”
Related Themes: Repentance Death Murder
James 1:27
“27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
Related Themes: Strangers Homelessness Holiness Benevolence Justice
Ephesians 1:5
“5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,”
Related Themes: Adoption Predetermination Doubt Identity Family
