I’d like to summarize my thoughts on the different facets of a philosophy of pleasure. It is vital that we take it seriously.
Undoubtedly, we must have wisdom in dealing with that which can so grip our hearts. Not because we need to avoid desire, but because we want to escape enslaving self-destruction. So, again (1) All pleasure does not come with a warning label.
I have also suggested to you that (2) the removal of the moral fences that hedge our appetites is not the path to greater pleasure.
Even with all that he had, Solomon lamented “meaningless, meaningless. All is meaningless.” (3) Where unbridled pleasure abounds there is greater need to find life’s overarching purpose. This is why Soren Kierkegaard reasoned that he had learned to define life backwards and live it forwards – meaning, that his life’s purpose became the guide for his choices. So, I suggested the following principle: (4) Any pleasure that refreshes you without diminishing you or distracting you from life’s ultimate goal is a legitimate pleasure.
Also, we intuitively understand that our drive to experience pleasure should never inflict pain on others. So we acknowledge that (5) our pursuit of pleasure must not jeopardize the sacred rights of another.
Finally, we borrowed from Solomon (6) Any pleasure, however good, if not kept in balance will distort reality or destroy appetite.
May I end by saying this:
God is not a cosmic killjoy. Knowing Him and living for Him brings definition of legitimacy, enables us to respect the sacred right of others and gives wisdom in keeping balance. His invitation to you is not to get rid of pleasure, but to bring all of your experiences to their greatest delight.
I remember a few years ago, being in the home of a young woman who was dying of a very tragic disease, brought on by an unwise lifestyle. My friend, my wife and I walked into her apartment. There she lay with her family sitting around her. Death stalked the room. She had just committed her life to Jesus Christ and her face showed that even in grief there was triumph. As we bade her goodbye, I saw the title of a book on her night table. The title said it all: The Hunger For Significance. You see it is significance that God gives you that guards the significance of pleasure. That is true joy. That is why Solomon’s father David, said. “At his right hand, are pleasures forever more.”
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Copyright © 2002 Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM). Reprinted with permission. “A Slice of Infinity” is a radio ministry of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.