Have you ever wondered what the difference is between pleasure and happiness? Aren’t they almost the same thing? We’re happy when we experience pleasure, right?

No! The difference between pleasure and happiness is vast. Pleasure is fleeting and elusive. It is an appetite that is never fully satisfied. It always demands more. Pleasure leads to slavery and death. Once we are enslaved by pleasure, we may not be happy even as we experience pleasure.

Proverbs 21:17 ESV Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

2 Timothy 2:22 ESV So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Happiness is a state of being–an end result. It leads to peace. Peace with God. Peace with others. Peace with ourselves. It is stable and self-sustaining.

The choice for pleasure eventually becomes a habit we wish we could break. The choice for happiness may result in a temporary lack of pleasure, but leads to eternal joy.

Psalm 16:11 ESV

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.