Sin’s Diminishing Pleasure

The triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? —Job 20:5

One of sin’s deceptions is that the initial rush of pleasure is short lived. The pleasure of sin is only for a season (Heb. 11:25).  Any drug addict will tell you that the “high” doesn’t last.

The enjoyment of the things of this world gradually wears off.  It is like riding a roller coaster for the very first time.  Wow! It is exciting. But after you ride it several times, the thrill diminishes each time.

The people of our church know I like Snickers and Russell Stover chocolate covered marshmallows.  Recently one our members gave me three packages of Russell Stover’s chocolate marshmallows with six in each pack.  I opened the package and promptly ate one of the chocolate marshmallows. It was soooooo good! I couldn’t stop with just one, so I ate another!  Although it was good, it wasn’t as good as the first one.  Strange.  I tried a third one and it was even less gratifying.

That is the way it is with sin. With each sinful act comes diminishing pleasure.  On the other hand, the blessings of living for God get sweeter all the time.  “The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22).