Read: Philippians 2:12-16

It is God who works in you
both to will and to do for
His good pleasure.
-Philippians 2:13

The slogan “If it feels good, do it” is pure hedonism
– the philosophy that pleasure is the chief good of man.
Although pleasure in itself is not wrong, it can lead to
moral and spiritual ruin if it is not controlled by
God’s Spirit.

Take the natural longing for physical, emotional, and
spiritual intimacy. We all desire and need it. But if
closeness is lacking in one’s marriage, for example, the
desire to seek it with someone else can lead to much
pain and suffering. It’s natural to seek pleasure and
avoid pain, so it’s easy to believe that if something
feels right it can’t be wrong. But feelings are never a
reliable guide to morality.

Because all of us are sinful human beings, we need one
all-encompassing good desire that is stronger than any
others. When we experience God’s love through faith in
Jesus Christ, something wonderful is born within us – a
desire to love and please God for all He has done for
us. This desire may grow faint at times, especially
when other passions clamor for fulfillment. But the
Lord is always working in us “both to will and to do for
His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13). When we realize that
He always desires our good, we will want to live for His
glory.
-Dennis J. De Haan

The world displays and tempts us with
All kinds of sinful pleasure;
But if we long to please the Lord,
We’ll have life’s greatest treasure. -Sper

YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT
WHEN YOU WANT TO PLEASE GOD.

OUR DAILY BREAD, Copyright 1999 by Radio Bible Class,
Grand Rapids,Michigan. Used by permission.