When Pleasure Becomes Poison
Proverbs 25:16 (NIV)
If you find honey, eat just enough—too much of it, and you will vomit.
Pleasure isn’t the enemy—excess is. God created the world with joy in mind. Laughter, food, beauty, music, romance, and rest were all His idea. But even something as sweet as honey turns bitter when consumed in excess. Proverbs 25:16 reminds us that too much of a good thing becomes destructive. What was meant to refresh you can start to repulse you when you use it as an escape instead of a gift.
This is the trap of overindulgence. We eat for comfort, not nourishment. We binge entertainment to numb, not relax. We scroll until we’re more anxious than when we started. The pleasure that once delighted us now leaves us disoriented or disgusted—mentally, emotionally, even spiritually. Why? Because we’re asking temporary things to fill eternal needs. When we use pleasure to avoid pain, it starts to feed our emptiness instead of filling it.
God’s solution isn’t to eliminate pleasure, but to redeem it through discipline. That’s why fasting matters. That’s why Sabbath rest matters. That’s why self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. When we learn to moderate our appetites, we actually enjoy God’s gifts more—not less. Pleasure in its right place points us to the Giver, not the gift. But when it becomes our master, it eventually makes us sick.
Ask yourself today: Where have you turned honey into poison? What once felt refreshing but now leaves you feeling more empty? God’s not here to shame you—He’s here to help you recalibrate your joy. Real joy doesn’t require a refill every five minutes. It flows from a heart anchored in Him.
⸻
Prayer:
God, I’ve made some sweet things toxic by consuming them without boundaries. Teach me to honor You with how I enjoy life. Show me where I’ve crossed the line from enjoyment into indulgence. Help me put pleasure back in its proper place—under Your Lordship.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
⸻
Action Step:
Today, name one area where you’ve been overindulging (media, food, spending, etc.). Take a 24-hour pause. When the craving hits, say a one-sentence prayer: “God, I want joy from You, not just a hit from this.” Let Him reset your heart.
If you find honey, eat just enough—too much of it, and you will vomit.
Pleasure isn’t the enemy—excess is. God created the world with joy in mind. Laughter, food, beauty, music, romance, and rest were all His idea. But even something as sweet as honey turns bitter when consumed in excess. Proverbs 25:16 reminds us that too much of a good thing becomes destructive. What was meant to refresh you can start to repulse you when you use it as an escape instead of a gift.
This is the trap of overindulgence. We eat for comfort, not nourishment. We binge entertainment to numb, not relax. We scroll until we’re more anxious than when we started. The pleasure that once delighted us now leaves us disoriented or disgusted—mentally, emotionally, even spiritually. Why? Because we’re asking temporary things to fill eternal needs. When we use pleasure to avoid pain, it starts to feed our emptiness instead of filling it.
God’s solution isn’t to eliminate pleasure, but to redeem it through discipline. That’s why fasting matters. That’s why Sabbath rest matters. That’s why self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. When we learn to moderate our appetites, we actually enjoy God’s gifts more—not less. Pleasure in its right place points us to the Giver, not the gift. But when it becomes our master, it eventually makes us sick.
Ask yourself today: Where have you turned honey into poison? What once felt refreshing but now leaves you feeling more empty? God’s not here to shame you—He’s here to help you recalibrate your joy. Real joy doesn’t require a refill every five minutes. It flows from a heart anchored in Him.
⸻
Prayer:
God, I’ve made some sweet things toxic by consuming them without boundaries. Teach me to honor You with how I enjoy life. Show me where I’ve crossed the line from enjoyment into indulgence. Help me put pleasure back in its proper place—under Your Lordship.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
⸻
Action Step:
Today, name one area where you’ve been overindulging (media, food, spending, etc.). Take a 24-hour pause. When the craving hits, say a one-sentence prayer: “God, I want joy from You, not just a hit from this.” Let Him reset your heart.
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