Yes, in the Lord - not in the satisfaction of one's self-centered immediate-gratification whims.
[[Yes, in the Lord - not in the satisfaction of one’s self-centered immediate-gratification whims. ]]
See my above post- God is NOT opposed to self gratification- saying that He is is putting a needless guilt trip on people- It is immensely gratify to rejoice in the Lord- and there is nothing shameful about indulging in that gratification, nor is there anything shameful in gratify oneself in things like vacations, rewards for work well done, or whatever- It is gratifying to work hard, knowing that God has allowed one the physical capabilities ot do so- on and on it goes- There’s no need for guilting people who enjoy life and are thankful for their many blessings- Despite their circumstances-
[[immediate-gratification whims. ]]
God provides many many things for our immediate-gratification whims. And we aren’t even conscious of Him when we indulge in them many times, yet He is pleased to provide them for us to be of cheerful heart- because He knows that if we were to stop and think about it, We would praise Him for providing it- one doesn’t have to go around consciously ‘in the Lord’ as it were (singing and praising Him for everything 24/7), in order to enjoy the things the Lord provides-
The pious person thinks the Christian can only rightfully be ‘happy’ by reading God’s word, meditating on His word, or doing something specific for God, singing praises to God all day long- but this isn’t true- God provides many means of being happy that don’t involve those things- whether we are conscious of His provision, and outwardly praising Him or not-
There is joy for many in just being alive, and gratifying in that joy without consciously being ‘in the Lord’, and God is pleased-
Just eating and thoroughly enjoying food is an immediate-gratification whim- which God is pleased to provide whether we burst out in open praises to Him or not-
Listening to music, and immediate-gratification whim- is also an activity which creates joy in the heart- whether one is consciously bursting out in praise of God at the time or not-
Going to wedding feasts is another immediate-gratification whims that God is not opposed to whether the people are bursting out in worship of Him at the time or not- Jesus even provided the fruit of the vine to help the people celebrate the good times-
No- there’s no need to guilt people for having good times and enjoying themselves in happiness