Hedonism is a school of thought that argues that pleasure and happiness are the primary or most important intrinsic goods and the proper aim of human life. A hedonist is someone who practices hedonism or follows this philosophy.
The Bible does not explicitly use the terms “hedonism” or “hedonist” since these are modern words. However, Scripture clearly warns against living for fleshly pleasures and self-indulgence. The book of Ecclesiastes powerfully depicts the emptiness of a life lived solely for pleasure and warns that chasing after fleeting pleasures and comforts leads only to meaninglessness.
In contrast, the Bible calls us to pursue joy and contentment in Christ, not simply earthly or fleshly pleasures (John 15:11, Philippians 4:11-13). Our joy is to be rooted in God and in using the gifts He has given us for His purposes and glory. Scripture further instructs us to seek the wellbeing and care for others, not selfish gain (Philippians 2:3-4).
Ultimately, the Bible condemns self-centeredness and calls us to die to selfish desires daily as we follow Christ (Luke 9:23). The pursuit of pleasure disconnected from God and at the expense of others goes directly against God’s design for human flourishing.
Below we will explore in more depth what Scripture teaches regarding living for pleasure versus God’s higher call on the Christian life.
The Emptiness of Pleasure-Seeking
The book of Ecclesiastes provides a stark warning against making pleasure one’s life pursuit. The author (traditionally believed to be King Solomon) writes as one who had sought after every pleasure imaginable – yet concluded it was all “meaningless” in the end:
“I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity. I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?” I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life.” (Ecclesiastes 2:1-3)
Solomon recounts his efforts to find meaning through laughter, wine, great building projects, entertainment, and accumulating wealth and possessions. Yet at the end of the experiment, he pronounces it all “vanity and striving after wind” (Ecclesiastes 2:11).
His conclusion echoes throughout the book:
“What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever…All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:3-9)
Solomon discovers that a life lived solely in pursuit of earthly pleasure is utterly meaningless. Such pleasure is fleeting and cannot satisfy. No amount of money, sex, food, drink, or entertainment can fill the void in one’s soul that only God can fill.
The author of Ecclesiastes concludes that the only worthwhile life is one lived in proper relationship to God:
“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
Far from advocating for hedonism, Ecclesiastes exposes the futility of living for pleasure and points us to the only reliable source of joy and purpose – relationship with God through obeying His Word.
The Deceitfulness of Pleasure
In addition to being unfulfilling, pleasure can be deceitful. Scripture warns that our hearts are prone to being led astray:
“…each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” (James 1:14-15)
When we allow physical pleasure or desire to rule us, it leads to sin and spiritual destruction.
The author of Hebrews warns:
“Let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.” (Hebrews 12:1, 16)
Esau’s willingness to trade his spiritual blessing for temporary, fleshly satisfaction illustrates the danger of living for pleasure. Sin often masquerades as pleasurable in the moment, slowly leading one down a destructive path.
Paul further warns of false teachers who appeal to fleshly impulses and promise freedom while enslaving their followers to corruption:
“For many walk…of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.” (Philippians 3:18-19)
Unfortunately, many pursue pleasure so single-mindedly that it becomes their “god,” leading to their ultimate demise.
Scripture exhorts believers to live by the Spirit rather than gratifying fleshly desires which wage war against the soul (Galatians 5:16-17, 1 Peter 2:11). Our lives are not be characterized by pursuit of self-gratification, but by serving God and others in love (Matthew 22:36-40).
True Joy is Found in Christ
Rather than seek happiness in fleeting pleasures, believers are called to find satisfying and unending joy in relationship with Jesus Christ. He alone can grant peace, meaning, and steadfast hope amidst life’s trials.
Jesus promised his followers:
“I have said these things to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11)
As we abide in Christ, following His teachings, He grants us access to supernatural, soul-satisfying joy independent of our circumstances.
The apostle Paul declared that for him, to live was Christ (Philippians 1:21). Despite being imprisoned for his faith at the time, he wrote with overflowing joy of knowing Jesus and the hope of eternity with Him.
Paul also explained the secret of being content in all circumstances:
“I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13)
By relying on Christ’s strength rather than his own, Paul discovered the key to contentment – a deep joy unaffected by external circumstances.
Furthermore, Paul explains that the fruit of the Spirit at work within believers includes love, joy, peace, patience, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). As we walk by the Spirit, these qualities flourish in our lives. The joy Jesus provides spills over into joyfully serving and sacrificing for others rather than selfish pursuit of pleasure (Philippians 2:1-4).
Our Purpose: Loving God and People
Rather than chase after fleeting pleasures, God created human beings with the purpose of knowing, loving, and glorifying Him. Jesus said the greatest commandments are:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)
Our mission is worshipping God and living in loving community with others. This brings the fulfillment and meaning that hedonism promises but utterly fails to deliver.
The abundant life Jesus offers consists of an outpouring of the Spirit that leads to producing spiritual fruit, as opposed to rotting fruit characterized by fleshly desires:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Galatians 5:13-14)
The fleeting pleasures of sin stand no comparison to the eternal joy and rewards of loving and serving God wholeheartedly.
Paul reminds believers:
“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison…” (2 Corinthians 4:17)
With an eternal perspective, the trials of this life seem light and momentary compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ.
Saying “No” to Fleshly Passions
Because physical pleasures so easily entangle and entrap us, God’s word calls us to actively resist fleshly desires and instead pursue righteousness:
“So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.” (Romans 6:11-12)
“Make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” (Romans 13:14)
“Flee from sexual immorality…Flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” (1 Corinthians 6:18, 1 Timothy 6:11)
“For the grace of God has appeared… training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.” (Titus 2:11-12)
“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” (1 Peter 2:11)
These passages make clear that willful submission to fleshly desires damages us spiritually. As followers of Christ, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to reject ungodliness and instead pursue the Lord wholeheartedly.
Living for Jesus, Not Ourselves
Perhaps most fundamentally, the Bible condemns self-centeredness and calls believers to live for the Lord rather than themselves:
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” (Luke 9:23-24)
“And he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (2 Corinthians 5:15)
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:4-5)
Jesus’ followers are called to die to selfish desires daily through the Spirit’s empowerment. This is the very opposite of hedonism, which exalts self-gratification as the highest aim. The Christian’s purpose is living for and serving God. Paradoxically, dying to self is the only path to finding true, lasting joy and fulfillment.
Conclusion
Scripture makes clear that pursuing pleasure as life’s ultimate goal will only lead to emptiness and destruction. God created human beings for so much more – to glorify Him and walk in loving relationship with Him and others. Lasting joy and contentment come not from indulgence, but from living wholeheartedly for Christ through the Spirit’s empowerment. Earthly pleasures are fleeting, but the rewards of loving and serving Jesus are eternal.