Enjoy!
there was a silly belief propagated during the dark ages, that will still listen to every now and then that states, "if God is spirit, then spiritual stuff is great, but anything belonging to the natural is, by definition, evil." This was held onto so strongly that monks would say it was sinful to put sugar in anything to give it better flavor, and they held beliefs like married couples could have sex to make a child but they better not like it. the Roman Catholic church at that time even had laws established for what one could and could NOT do in bed with their spouse...
I believe when God created the world and everything in it, He said it was good. When sin entered the world it did corrupt it, but the beauty, color, taste, and enjoyment this planet has isn't the corruption. it's the death, the addiction, and the violence. That is destructive.
CS Lewis put it this way. "God likes matter, He created it!" So enjoying the life God has given us, not only isn't sinful, but is necessary to a healthy Christian life. instead of cursing this what little good this life does have, because the next life will be better. we should thank God every day for the beauty and goodness that is left here, because it's obviously His doing. because ANYTHING good comes from the Father.
There is a danger however, when it goes from enjoyment to control. These things are great, but they were never meant to rule us. food tastes great; gluttony will kill you; Wine is wonderful, Achoholism will destroy your life, and your liver. sex is beautiful; outside of marriage it's twisted and disgusting. later in Ecclesiastes talks about what he considers deplorable. that when a servant is put into power, and a prince is put into servanthood, it's wrong. when God has made man to govern, tend and care for this world, it's twisted for us to put a piece of it on the throne of our hearts. My friend said this one time, "I'm addicted to many things, but the things I'm not addicted to, I REALLY enjoy." that is the point of all of this. life is good! but only God should have your heart..
now with all that said.
Enjoy!
Created about 3 years ago
