(11/09/2015) Contentment, Happiness And Joy?

The differences between language used to speak of spirit content and that for various states and conditions in human experience are considered, today.  Abstract aspects of human behavior that are attitudinal, emotional, intellectual, and mental are often spoken of as if they were spiritual because they are immaterial and can not be seen using sight.  Many err confusing the achievement of happiness by ones own deeds and efforts (we say, works) with salvation that is accomplished on their behalf through operations of divinity.  Consider again the following from the Bible, and the discussion appearing below:  John 13:  13-17, King James Version (KJV):  13 Ye call me Master and Lord:  and ye say well; for so I am.  14 If I then, your Lord, and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.  15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done unto you.  16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord:  neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.  17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.  Also, Luke 12:  15, KJV:  15 Take heed, and beware of covetousness:  for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.  Hebrews 13:  5-6, KJV:  5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have:  for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  6 So that we may boldly say The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.  The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “pretty asian girl” (Level 1 with 18 points, a member since March 15, 2008) posted the following:


Christians, what does "it’s better to have one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and a chasing after the wind.” mean?

Ecclesiastes 4:6


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  No man that warreth entangleth himself  with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.  (2nd Timothy 2:  3-4, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  The Mistakes In Youth? (08/24/2015); A Duty to Restore an Inheritance? (04/16/2015); Resisting Sin (12/21/2013); When People Covet (12/22/2013); Can Someone Be Happy? (12/10/2013); Asked to Help? (12/11/2013); Prosperity Destroys Fools (09/25/2012); Life and Death (09/26/2012)


“pretty asian girl”, because we are not always careful with language and words, many believers mistakenly confuse ideas that pertain to their carnal, material and social existence with the ideas from GOD that we find in the Bible.  As Christians begin to fellowship with more experienced believers, study the holy writings on a regular basis, and practice the sacred works for those who are reborn through Christ (e.g., praise, prayer, thanksgiving, worship), they begin to understand there are many differences in application, meaning, and purpose.  For example, “happiness” (we say, a feeling; an emotional state and psychological condition) is not the same as “joy” (an aspect of the divine makeup inseparable from faith, holiness, righteousness, wisdom, and wrath against sin).  Similarly, “satisfaction” pertains to the fulfillment of “appetite”, demands for change such as hunger, thirst, and sexual cravings that arouse within organs and tissues of the body.  To “covet” appears as an operation of sin whereby a person desires whatever they see or imagine, specially the things possessed by others.  Also, they may “envy” (desire to deny others what they possess).  Through baptism (i.e., death of ones inborn spirit content, rebirth from divine DNA, so to speak) the believer is given a new nature that is turned to divinity, and is commanded to pursue “contentment”, acceptance and reconciliation to existing conditions in balance with duty, expectation and hope that c0me through proclamation, promise, and prophecy.  To clarify the verse you have cited, consider again the following from the Scriptures that counsel humility and condemn contentiousness:

(1.)   Psalms 37:  16-17, King James Version (KJV):  16 A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.  17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken:  but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.

(2.)  Proverbs 16:  19, KJV:  19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud.

(3.)  Proverbs 15:  16-17, KJV:  Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.  17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

(4.)  Proverbs 17:  1, KJV:  1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of sacrifices with strife.

There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended.  (For example,  (5.)  Proverbs 21:  9, KJV:  9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC