Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries
Keep on having perfect happiness by means of the Lord at all times. Part2.
Thursday, May 31, 2001
PHI 4:4 “Keep on having perfect happiness by means of the Lord at all times; Once more I repeat the command, keep on having perfect happiness.”
True happiness is related to the soul and spirit, the immaterial parts of man, and is not related to the body at all.
Pseudo or false happiness Satan’s attempt to counterfeit the happiness, the contentment, the blessing that God has provided for every Church-age believer.
Satan himself does not personally administer pseudo-happiness to any person, but he provides the system called the world or the kosmos, the cosmic system.
Satan’s myth of arrogance is that both people and pleasant circumstances in life can make you happy.
Satan’s propaganda = money, success, pleasure, social life, sexual life, public approbation, fame, material things, travel, health, and pleasant circumstances in life can make you happy.
What God has provided for us in perfect happiness is a permanent factor as well as a problem solving device.
Anything that is worthwhile is worthwhile in adversity as well as in prosperity.
If you are dependent on any person or set of circumstances for happiness, you are weak and you do not have happiness.
If you have been faithful in the reception, retention, and recall of Bible doctrine and have advanced to spiritual adulthood, you are not only a strong person, but you have that great inner happiness.
God’s happiness isn’t dependent on environment, associations, or circumstances of prosperity or adversity; it depends on none of these things.
Satan is the ruler of this world, LUK 4:5-7; JOH 12:31; JOH 14:30; JOH 16:11 [ruler]; 2CO 4:4 [god]; EPH 2:2[prince].
Satan’s administration of pseudo-happiness to any believer or unbeliever can only exist when that person is involved in the cosmic system.
All mental attitude sins, which add up to motivational arrogance, guarantee the exclusion of any happiness.
Functional arrogance only intensifies your unhappiness, causing you to begin a frantic search for happiness.
REV 12:9 “And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world;”
JAM 1:14-15 “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.”
2TI 2:26 – they are being held captive by Satan to do his will.
Perfect happiness is a magnificent problem solving device because you have it all the time.