Articles, Bible Questions and Discipleship Guides

In 1976, a British diplomat and general named Sir John Glubb wrote an essay documenting the decline and eventual collapse of various empires throughout history. 

He notes six “ages” in the lifespan of an empire, and the final age, the one that leads to its ultimate decline, is the age of decadence. 

Glubb’s diagnosis of the age of decadence is a culture that is marked by debauchery, defensiveness, materialism, weakening of religion, and frivolity. 

While it’s certainly true that sin exists in every generation of every nation on earth, the age of decadence is the time when sin is not only apparent, but it’s permissible, out in the open, and even encouraged and celebrated. 

Sadly, that’s where we are today. Debauchery, materialism, and self-centeredness aren’t just part of our culture today, in many ways those sins define our culture. 

For instance, fornication is openly invited on television and social media sites. The LGBTQ lifestyle is now acknowledged, affirmed, and even celebrated. People actually rejoice in the fact that they identify as a homosexual or a transgender person, in direct defiance of their Creator. 

Pornography is no longer a hard-to-find stain in the darkest parts of the internet but is openly displayed on social media apps and readily accessible to children. Culture today says that pornography is not a vice or a sin, but empowering. Today, individuals and corporations rejoice at the immoral videos they produce. 

Materialism is not something we participate in while pretending we aren’t; materialism is now the goal of our generation. There is an awards show every year to acknowledge the most effective advertising campaigns. In other words, companies openly rejoice when they successfully manipulate people into buying products they may not even need. 

Let me ask you a question. What did you rejoice in before you were saved? Your success? Your marriage? Your body? Your travel? Your sinful lifestyle? 

As we consider this month what it looks like to move past your past, to leave behind your pre-Christian life and fully live a Christ-inspired life, we need to be reminded by Paul’s encouragement to the church in Philippi: “Rejoice in the Lord. … Look out for the evildoers … we worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:1-3). 

Let me offer three principles of wisdom from this powerful command to “Rejoice in the Lord.” 

REJOICING IN THE LORD IS NOT A SUGGESTION. 

Rejoicing in the Lord is not something we do when we feel like it, or when God gives us things to rejoice about. And if rejoicing can be commanded, then it cannot be tied to our emotions, our temperament, or our circumstances. Joy is an internal conviction that God is in control, no matter what. Therefore, rejoicing doesn’t ebb and flow, like happy feelings or a good mood. 

Biblical rejoicing involves thinking less of ourselves and more of God. As we grow in our walk with God, let’s remember that our circumstances and emotions might fluctuate, but God’s promises are steady, consistent, and reliable. Our assurance in Him provides the basis for rejoicing. 

REJOICING IN THE LORD IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SIN. 

Carefully notice that this wisdom principle doesn’t say “Growing in God is incompatible with sin” because even the most mature Christian sins. But a mark of growing in Christ is that our conscience grieves us faster when we sin. We no longer find joy in the sins that we once enjoyed. 

Moving past your past means abandoning the emotional ties to our sinful natures. As verse 3 of Philippians 3 says, we “put no confidence in the flesh.” Our human nature finds temporary, unsatisfying joy in our sins, while our spiritual nature knows that true and lasting joy can only come from walking with the Lord. 

I love the way Matthew Henry, the 17th century expositor, wrote on this subject, “The joy of the Lord is a divine armor against the assaults of our spiritual enemies and puts our mouths out of taste for those pleasure with which the tempter baits his hooks.” 

What a wonderful analogy. When we were unsaved, Satan knew which particular sins we would find most appetizing, and he baited his hook with them to lure us in. But once we were made new in Christ, the Holy Spirit removed that appetite, and we lost our enjoyment of those sins. I have often said that the most miserable person on the planet is a sinning Christian. 

Having come to faith in Christ— being given a new nature and a spiritual appetite—our deepest joy and satisfaction are now found in communion and fellowship with Christ. 

REJOICING IN THE LORD IS NOT A RESTRICTION. 

Rejoicing in the Lord does not mean we can’t rejoice in other things. Grandparents, find joy in your grandchildren. Husbands and wives, find joy in your relationship. Church members rejoice in fellowship together. We rejoice in the beauty of creation around us and God’s provision for us. 

Just make sure your priorities are in the right place. Many things we rejoice in will not last beyond our lifetime. Recreation, hobbies, even work can be a source of joy on this earth; money can be used to bless others and create lasting memories. But these will fade away. Rejoicing first and foremost in the Lord means we subject all our other passions and pleasures to the Lord and seek Him first for fulfillment, purpose, and joy.