Enjoying life seems to mean going on expensive vacations, affording exotic foods, and getting whatever you wish at your disposal.
Many individuals, both Christians, and non-Christians, cannot enjoy themselves. Christianity is often compared to a life of rigid rules and procedures with little or no fun.
I often ponder why some Christians may indulge in a rigid lifestyle and consider it God’s way of living a fulfilled and enjoyable life.
What is more worrisome is that many Christians, especially those in the Orthodox Christian movement, have fallen for such deception.
Some of them have asked themselves questions like;
Does God require my happiness? Is it wrong to have fun? Can a Christian enjoy life?
If you have ever pondered these and similar questions, it is time to consider exploring the Bible to understand what God says about enjoying life.
As Christians, we must constantly consult the opinion of the Bible regarding specific issues as the Supreme authority on all the problems before making decisions.
Bible Verses About Enjoying Life
Luke 1:47 (ESV) – Rejoice In God
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
John 16:33 (ESV) – Have Peace
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Ecclesiastes 7:14 (ESV) – Be Joyful
In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.
John 10:10 (ESV) – Have life Abundantly
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Luke 15:7 (ESV) – Repent
Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV) – Make Light Your Burden
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Psalm 118:24 (ESV) – Be Glad
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Ecclesiastes 9:9-10 (ESV) – Be Knowledgible
Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.
Proverbs 21:20 (ESV) – Dont Be Foolish
Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.
Hebrews 13:5 (ESV) – Be Contented
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Colossians 3:17 (ESV)
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Romans 6:23 (ESV)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
James 4:14 (ESV)
Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
John 14:6 (ESV)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
John 8:12 (ESV)
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Revelation 1:1 (ESV)
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,
1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV)
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Matthew 6:34 (ESV)
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV)
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Proverbs 15:13 (ESV)
A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.
John 3:16 (ESV)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Colossians 3:23 (ESV)
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
Genesis 2:7 (ESV)
Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.
1 John 5:20 (ESV)
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
Galatians 2:20 (ESV)
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Psalm 37:4 (ESV)
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Genesis 3:22-23 (ESV)
Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken.
Ecclesiastes 5:18 (ESV)
Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot.
Ecclesiastes 2:24 (ESV)
There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God,
Proverbs 17:22 (ESV)
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
1 Peter 3:10 (ESV)
For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;
Ecclesiastes 11:9 (ESV)
Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
John 16:24 (ESV)
Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
1 Timothy 6:17 (ESV)
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 (ESV)
I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.
Ecclesiastes 8:15 (ESV)
And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.
1 Timothy 6:12 (ESV)
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Ecclesiastes 9:9 (ESV)
Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.
John 11:25-26 (ESV)
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Proverbs 18:21 (ESV)
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Romans 15:13 (ESV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
John 6:35 (ESV)
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
Luke 1:37 (ESV)
For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Conclusion
You now understand that God wants Christians to enjoy life based on Biblical standards.
God wants us to take pleasure in other people, the fruit of our labor, harmony, favor, food and drink, safety, prosperity, and honor.
God never stated that we should not have them or that they are beyond our means, but we should not go astray in our quest to enjoy life.