No doubt you are familiar with the pictures and figurines of the three monkeys that cover their ears, eyes, and mouths with their hands—hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil. A young man recently sported a T-shirt alteration of the traditional monkeys. His shirt depicted four monkeys. One was saying, “Hear no evil.” Another portrayed, “See no evil,” and another, “Speak no evil.” The fourth monkey was saying, “Have no fun.”
The fellow no doubt intended to be funny. He came across with a pathetic philosophy that has permeated our world. “Have no fun” is the pleasure-centered, ego-centered notion of millions when they consider the Christian life and its high moral standards.
The crowd typically mocks the Christian as a sour-faced do-gooder who spoils all the “fun.” Some of their mockery comes from misunderstanding the Christian life and some comes from the way worldlings have seen some Christians live.
Common misconceptions about the Christian life include the following: Christians are burdened down by a list of dos and don’ts; Christians are unhappy and do not enjoy life; Christians are superstitious; Christians don’t have much to live for.
It is true the Bible says little about merrymaking, joking, feasting, and drinking except when describing the actions of the wicked. But then these are not the only ways to enjoy life. The Bible paints an entirely different picture of the joyful Christian life.
Joy is the word most often used in the Bible to describe the delight the godly can experience in daily living. Christian joy is more than mere happiness or having fun which must always depend on favorable or happy circumstances. Joy can exist even in times of sorrow. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). Fun is short-lived. Joy endures. Our Lord cares for our needs “in shine and shade.”
“Let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice . . . because thou defendest them” (Psalm 5:11).
The New Testament also repeats the theme of joy in spite of suffering. “Your sorrow shall be turned into joy . . . and your joy no man taketh from you . . . . Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace” (John 16:20b, 22b, 24, 33).
This Biblical view of life is totally realistic. The world around us offers pleasures aplenty, but these things do not give joy and peace in times of trouble, sickness, and death. God offers joyful living in the face of life’s realities. It is our job, by word and action, to help the world realize this abiding joy.
“Fun” will not last very long. It runs out with the loss of money, popularity, or health. Christian joy will outlast life itself. “The triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment” (Job 20:5). “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).
Why doesn’t the world believe the joy found in Christian living? Part of the reason is spiritual blindness and willing ignorance. The Bible says: “In the last days scoffers . . . willingly are ignorant . . . that by the word of God the heavens were of old.” They will not believe the Bible.
Perhaps we cannot do too much about this willing ignorance, but those of us who profess to be Christians can do something about another reason for disbelief. Many do not believe because of professing Christians. Perhaps an unbeliever met a “Christian” who cursed or lied or told dirty jokes. Perhaps he knew a “Christian” who looked miserable or who complained about a “strict” church or old-fashioned parents. He logically concludes that if Christians are unhappy or if Christianity does not change a person’s life, then it is of little value.
Think about how your life must look to others. Can they see a joyful experience? Do you know the joy of the Lord as your strength? Do others see that the Gospel really works? Will your life point others to Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life?
If you cannot honestly answer “yes” to these questions, you are not right with God. Confess your sin, turn to the God of peace, claim the power of the Holy Spirit to live a vibrant Christian life. Ask God for the “want to” to live a consistent, transformed Christian life. The Spirit will lead you into God’s way of trut.
-Roger Berry