Is it wrong to derive joy from things other than christ?

[Ben Collyer]

for example meeting up with a friend, I might feel joy at spending time with them, is that sinful? and at what point does our joy in other things become sinful?

 

[Eryk]

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

As long as your activities don't have a coarsening affect on your morals or leave you less inclined to pursue the things of God, like prayer and the Scriptures, they are fine.

 

[turkle]

God did not restrict us from pleasure with that kind of either/or thinking. You get pleasure from fellowship with your friends...God intended it to be that way. Jesus had lots of friends. God told us to have fellowship with others, and he certainly did not intend for it to be a chore. Think of Paul and the loving things he said to people like Timothy, whom he loved like a son. We are meant to have friends.

Sin comes in when you are replacing God with other people and things. God has given us guidelines on attitudes and behavior in His Word. If you are following Jesus, you should enjoy your friends.

 

[GeorgeJ]

Is it wrong to derive joy from things other than christ?

NO.

 

[Spookydawg77]

for example meeting up with a friend, I might feel joy at spending time with them, is that sinful? and at what point does our joy in other things become sinful?

Joy becomes sinful when you forget to thank our Lord for that joy and allow that joy to become more of a priority fow follow instead of our gospel. I guess what im trying to say is...any thoughts we have that collectively leave God out of the equation of your mind... those things that fill your "thought-time" more and more and more on a daily basis that we begin to feed our flesh instead of our spirit... and when we get hungry we get weak, either weak in the spirit or weak in the flesh... ( our flesh is mortal...our spirit is eternal ) ...so which one uou think needs the best nourishment?... the most attention to detail?... So, i reckon what im (long-windedly) trying to say is...
If youre still in your flesh body when satan comes at 666... then, know its satan! Know that it is not the true Christ, our Lord Jesus, but the false one that is pretending to be God and will come peacefully and prosperously claiming to be God. WE, me and you and all other of Gods elect that wont be fooled by this, we will be delivered unto the councels of satan and IT WILL BE AT THAT MOMENT that we do not premeditate what we say, but allow the holy spirit to speak through us AMEN!
Do not fear he that can kill your flesh, but He who can kill your soul!
God bless brethern

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

The only time you should be joyful is when you're holding a Bible in your hand.

 

[Symph]

for example meeting up with a friend, I might feel joy at spending time with them, is that sinful? and at what point does our joy in other things become sinful?

Christ is a part of the human experience. Getting joy from others and giving joy to others is what makes God happy, he wants to live inside all of us, when we do things for others we do things for him, when they do things for you they do things for him. It's all connected, get as MUCH joy as you can out of others, just make sure it is loving, pure, and honest.

 

[Symph]

The only time you should be joyful is when you're holding a Bible in your hand.

And NOT having fun!!!

 

[Steven Calloway]

Proverbs 16:3 - Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
Colossians Chapter 3
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
I think this is the HEART of the issue.
Luke 14 26If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

The heart of the matter, the fulcrum at which the issue turnsis this..... Christ is not to be compared to anyone or anything, ever , for no reason, period. Note: He's not saying to literally hate your family and friends, he illustrating JUST HOW MUCH HE'S WORTH. Do NOT miss that. Have Godly friends. Praise God for them! But don't ever let them cut in to your time at Jesus' table.

In Christ,
Steven.

 

[Tolworth John]

for example meeting up with a friend, I might feel joy at spending time with them, is that sinful? and at what point does our joy in other things become sinful?

Enjoying the company of a friend(s), having a meal, drink, trip to see a film/concert etc are not wrong or sinfull.
That is unless the conversation, music, film etc is full of foul language, sexual content, violence and offensive to wards God.