John_C said:
In Chapter 4 of James, James speaks of pleasures (hedonism) as being the source of quarrels and conflicts among believers. Although no doubt pleasure-seeking is one of our major sin problems, I would think that power (control) would be the big bugaboo. Instead of letting God direct our lives, we are apt to want control ourselves.
In James 4:1 we read about the root cause of divisions among fellow believers. They are caused by evil desires. Envy and pride promote strife within the church and can be very destructive.
Paul tells us, "For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Romans 8:6)
John writes:
I'm thinking - is power (control) a subset of pleasure (hedonism). If we look at it that way, how do we explain that reasoning.
No, power is not a subset of pleasure. Pleasure is a object we desire if we live to gratify our fleshly desires. This is part of the battle between the flesh and the Spirit for control in our lives. In the flesh we long for pleasure and self gratification. Paul tells us to , "Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lust against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another," (Gal. 5:16,17)
"Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." (Gal. 5:22-26)
Wes
