Sin Never Satisfies
The problem with sin is that it never really satisfies. It seems to satisfy, but then the satisfaction wanes and a new cycle begins to see if the next sin will satisfy. It brings temporary pleasure, but never satisfaction that is satisfied.
Part of the problem is one of design. We were designed by God to image God. As long as we don’t fulfill the design, the sense of dissatisfaction grows.
Designed For Satisfaction
Paul knew about this design. In Romans 2:14-16 Paul wrote, “For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.”
The conscience says, “You aren’t being who you were meant to be” when you go against the law recorded written in your heart. It is like a virus-infected computer program, performing the same corrupted instructions with no hope for a satisfactory answer.
The Conscience Must Be Satisfied
What is the conscience? It is a built in moral awareness.
“The conscience is defined as that part of the human psyche that induces mental anguish and feelings of guilt when we violate it and feelings of pleasure and well-being when our actions, thoughts and words are in conformity to our value systems. The Greek word translated ‘conscience’ in all New Testament references is suneidēsis, meaning ‘moral awareness’ or ‘moral consciousness.’ The conscience reacts when one’s actions, thoughts, and words conform to, or are contrary to, a standard of right and wrong.” Got Questions
Money Won’t Satisfy
We tend to look in the wrong places for the satisfaction we desire. Solomon wrote the book of Ecclesiastes. In that book he described his search for satisfaction. Ecclesiastes 5:10 says, “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.” Vanity means, “I’m not satisfied.”
Righteousness Does Satisfy
Jesus said the right source for satisfaction is a thirst and hunger for the one thing that does satisfy: righteousness. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Matthew 5:6
Even the Proverbs help us see this. Proverbs 19:23 says, “The fear of the Lord leads to life and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.”
Chris Tomlin did a beautiful job when he wrote “Satisfied.” The source of our satisfaction must rest on the one who is our satisfaction. It isn’t in things but in a relationship with the Creator. Nothing else and no one else satisfies the way God does.
Satisfied – Lyrics by Chris Tomlin
Listen Here: Link to the Song.
I count my blessings one by one
Your goodness in my life
How could I ask for more?
In You, I’m satisfied
All the mountains that I ascend
They leave me empty time and time again
I fix my eyes on this reward
The world behind me now and You before
I count my blessings one by one
Your goodness in my life
How could I ask for more?
In You, I’m satisfied
If You are all I have
I know that I will find
That You are all I need
In You, I’m satisfied
So let my life be freely spent
For what only, only You can give
My richest gain I count as loss
When I survey the wonder of the cross
I count my blessings one by one
Your goodness in my life
How could I ask for more?
In You, I’m satisfied
If You are all I have
I know that I will find
That You are all I need
In You, I’m satisfied
Nothing else, nothing else
Nothing else will ever satisfy
No one else, no one else
No one else will ever satisfy
There’s nothing else
There’s nothing else that will ever satisfy
There’s no one else, no
There’s no one else
I count my blessings one by one
Your goodness in my life
How could I ask for more?
In You, I’m satisfied
If You are all I have
I know that I will find
That You are all I need
In You, I’m satisfied, oh
You satisfy my soul (nothing else)
My soul (nothing else)
Oh, yes, You do (nothing else will ever satisfy)
You satisfy my soul (no one else)
My soul (no one else)
Oh, yes, You do (no one else will ever satisfy)
Nothing else, nothing else
Nothing else will ever satisfy
No one else, no one else
No one else will ever satisfy
How to Identify a Follower of Jesus
They understand and know the reality of this statement in the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” Matthew 5:6
Five Minute Friday
This post is part of the weekly Five-Minute Friday link-up.
All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.
Know Your Flocks & Herds 