Fun without the sin

Reflection

The idea that enjoyment and holiness are opposites is a common misunderstanding, but it does not sit well with a faith whose scriptures describe God as the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). Christianity has never demanded a joyless life; it asks for discernment about what genuinely brings life and what only appears to. Laughter, friendship, celebration and play all have their place, and many of them appear woven through scripture itself, from wedding feasts to psalms of praise. The challenge is not fun itself but the pursuit of pleasure detached from wisdom, where short-term enjoyment causes long-term harm to oneself or others. Learning to enjoy life well, rather than either restricting it out of fear or chasing it without limits, is part of Christian maturity. It takes practice to notice the difference between what refreshes the soul and what merely numbs it, but the effort is worthwhile, since a life of guilt-free joy is part of what the gospel offers.

Questions to sit with

• Where do you draw your own line between healthy fun and harmful excess?
• Can you think of a joy in your life that also deepens your faith?
• What activities leave you feeling worse rather than better afterwards?

Topics