James 5:5 KJV
[5] “Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.”
The men in our text have lived in pleasure on this earth. They have enjoyed the luxuries of life by mistreating others. They have nourished their hearts while others have suffered and lived in want. Our verse states that their lives of ease have left them wanting and brought them to judgment. They are like animals feasting their way to the slaughterhouse. They live every day as if they will live forever and have no idea they are heading to the judgment bar of God.
Understand that not all pleasure is sinful. God gave us the things in this world to enjoy. It is the will of God for us to be happy and enjoy the life He has given us. There is nothing spiritual about being miserable in life. Just because we enjoy pleasures does not mean we are living in rebellion. I have met people who thought if you are happy, you are not right with God. I must be the first to testify that I enjoy serving the Lord and take pleasure in the life He has given me here on earth. God did not save us to enslave us.
He also wants us to live according to His plan, not our own. We must be sure that the pleasures we enjoy do not dishonor Him. The wrong kind of earthly pleasures can bring severe consequences to our lives, and in the end, they will leave us wanting. They can bring destruction to our lives and those around us. The Devil will offer a lot of pleasures to turn us away from God’s plan for our lives, but we must remember that they all come with a price. Our greatest pleasure in life should be to please our Heavenly Father. I’m reminded of the old song that says, “If it satisfies you, Lord, then it satisfies me”.