Many people think (some without realizing it) that happiness is doing what they want. Even Christians at times walk according to the flesh or sinful nature:
“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:5-6
“Those who LIVE according to the flesh” do not care what the Spirit desires. Those who know God (or think they know God) yet walk “according to the flesh” most of the time, walk as close to the line between obedience and disobedience as they feel is safe. But no disobedience is safe. When we walk in obedience to God, we are under His protection:
“Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest.” Proverbs 26:2
If we are not obeying God, the devil has a right to harm us.
We are all slaves to someone:
“Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness.” Romans 6:16
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23
Isn’t it better to be slaves of a loving God who knows more than we do what makes us happy than to a devil who hates us and knows more than we do the harmful consequences of our actions?
Some things God might let us get away with, even though they aren’t His will, but only because He is merciful. The more we know God, trust Him and obey Him, the more joy or true happiness we have:
“Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart—” Psalm 119:1-2
Two consequences of disobedience are shame and separation from God:
“You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.” Psalm 119:4-8
Depression, sickness and misfortune of every kind are the result of disobedience.
We obey for our own good. Jesus said:
“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:9-11
Joy comes from Jesus, and we will have joy if we abide in Him:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” Galatians 5:22-23
We can think that obeying God is difficult. It isn’t.
“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
What makes it seem difficult is the devil’s schemes:
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:8-9
Others are suffering in the same way.
It can be difficult. If a person knows they will be killed or tortured if they deny Jesus; it can be very difficult. Another example of difficulty obeying is when struggling to overcome an addiction, But God doesn’t give us more than we can bear:
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
Jesus said:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12
The Apostle Paul said because “he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear”:
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:20-21
Paul had great joy, even in prison, because he had completely decided that “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
Jude, believed by some to be one of the brothers of Jesus, said:
“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—” Jude 1:24
Even if there is sorrow for a night,
“…Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5
Nehemiah said to the Israelites:
“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
The Apostle Paul said:
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
Our attitude or mindset should be that of Jesus:
“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:6-8
The Apostle James said:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” James 1:2
Joy is a choice we make. We must have the attitude to accept God’s will.
We can choose joy based on what God (through Paul) says:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose…If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?…No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:28-39
He always works for our good, His love was proven by giving His Son for us and nothing can separate us from His love,
In the Old Testament God said:
“If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways, 14 how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!15 Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever.16 But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.” Psalm 81:13-16
If we obey Him, He will destroy our enemies (our true enemies are evil spirits – Ephesian 6:10-18) and satisfy our deepest longings with “honey from the rock”.
David said:
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:11
If we obey Him, we can have joy in His presence forever.