I can still remember everything about the morning on 9/11. The shock and surprise of what we were watching unfold had no place in my mind’s catalog of logic or reason. Our country was paralyzed by this new invisible enemy causing very graphic results. Terrorism is evil.

Terrorism bases its approach on being invisible, thus creating a panic-like fear in us while we try to figure out where and when the next attack will come. Fear has a profound impact on how people live.

While the evil of terrorism continues throughout our world, I believe we have a long list of terror “isms” that do not fight us physically but attack our souls. Our hearts and minds are bombarded by this evil every day, every hour and minute. We are surrounded by these attacks and are largely unaware of their presence. I want to expose the terrorist called hedonism.

The practice of hedonism is the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the sole or chief good in life. The idea of people seeking happiness is not a bad pursuit and I would say we all desire it, but to have that as the “sole or chief good” in life is counter gospel. There are extreme pictures of this in resorts that allow for any pleasure you desire to pursue. I am more focusing on the subtle, silent enemy of hedonism on those who claim to follow Jesus.

We can become “Christian hedonists.” When we know God but look to our own sources for pleasure and happiness we have fallen victim to this “ism.”

Where do I look for pleasure? Where do you look? The prophet Jeremiah speaks the warning from God to the Israelites.

Jeremiah 2.13                                                                                                   “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns (wells), broken cisterns (wells) that cannot hold water.

What well have you dug? The chief search for your personal pleasure is an all-out terroristic attack on your soul. The irony is that God himself promises that he will bring a fulfillment that far surpasses any hedonistic activity.

Psalms 37.4                                                                                                 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.