Contentment & Satisfaction

How does immorality destroy contentment and satisfaction?

1. The very nature of immorality is that it is always looking for the next attempt at being

   satisfied. The basic problem with lust of any nature, but especially sensual and sexual lust is that this lust can never be satisfied. Lust is insatiable.

2. Ironically, sexual immorality also destroys appropriate ambition, initiative and creativity. This means that the gap between contentment and satisfaction and initiative is ever growing. The frustration that this creates is immense, as one is dissatisfied but yet has no motivation to make any changes.\

3. The distance between these two realities continues to increase bringing ever greater and greater frustration.

What does this mean for me?

1. Becoming content is a characteristic that God wants each of us to develop.

   Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

   • Learned – it is a process and it does not come naturally. It is something that is understood and practiced through observation and experience.

   • NT:3129 to learn by use and practice, to acquire the habit of, be accustomed to45

   • The core idea of contentment is self-sufficiency, i.e. one has learned to be satisfied with one’s current state of being...whatever that might be. Along with this idea is that one is also free from worries, frustrations, and anxieties. There is an unwavering trust in God regardless of the circumstances in which one finds him self or her self.

     
     

2. Since our natural way is not to be content and satisfied anything we do such as engage in sexual immorality only exacerbates the problem.

   • Ecclesiastes 1:8 All things are full of labor; man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. NKJV

   • Proverbs 27:20 Hell and Destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. NKJV

   • Ecclesiastes 5:10 He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity. NKJV

     
     

3. There is a self-deception, a false reality that occurs when one believes and thinks that if he had a different set of circumstances, if he had a different environment, or if he had more; then he would be content and satisfied.

   • If one has not learned contentment in his current situation, it is only a matter of time before he become discontent with any changes or improvements that may have occurred.

   • Why is this the case? Because the real issue is not change; but it is a heart that has not learned to flourish in adversity, difficulty, or with trouble and lack.

     
     

4. What is the difference between contentment/satisfaction versus apathy, laziness and carelessness?

   1. Contentment and satisfaction readily accepts those situations that are unchangeable and graciously acknowledges the hand of God. Whereas apathy, laziness and carelessness are character flaws that give excuse for not putting forth any or very little effort in life.

      
      

5. How does one stay contented and yet desire to excel, improve, and change?

   1. Contentment exhibits a peaceful and gracious disposition toward events, circumstances and others. The motivating factors are not envy, greed, jealousy, covetousness or dissatisfaction. There is a patient bearing under the difficulty or trouble; and there is an absence of personal frustration.

      
      

6. What negative attitudes and behaviors does discontentment and dissatisfaction breed? (Think about the children of Israel and the things that they did.)

Whining	Anxiety
Complaining	Frustration
Ungratefulness	Cynicism
Frustration	Anger
Unwise and poor decisions	Compounded relational difficulties

7. What positive attitudes and character qualities if properly learned will contentment, as well as satisfaction develop and increase in our lives?

Patience	Thankfulness
Endurance Graciousness	Appreciation
Faithfulness	Proper Expectations
Self-control Proper Perspective	Understanding

8. What fruit can one expect after he or she has learned to be content and satisfied?

Peace	Healthy Relationships
Joy	Delight for Life
Fulfillment

9. Paul stated that he learned to be content. What might be some ingredients that allowed Paul to learn this important characteristic?

   • Trust – believing that God is always faithful, never makes a mistake, and always has my best interest at heart.

   • Thankfulness – being able to thank the Lord in each and every circumstance.

   • Faith – being able to see things from God’s eternal perspective

10. Apart from Jesus who is an excellent example of someone who learned contentment (hint – Old Testament)?

    1. Joseph

11. Riches are deceitful and do not bring satisfaction and contentment.

    • Matthew 13:22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. NKJV

    • Mark 4:18-19 {18}Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, {19} and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. NKJV

    • I believe that I will be happier and content if I had more things and better things.

12. God wants all of us to be content with the things that He has given to us.

    • Philippians 4:11-13 {11} Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: {12} I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. {13} I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. NKJV

    • 1 Timothy 6:8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. NKJV

    • Hebrews 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." NKJV

13. True satisfaction and contentment can only be found in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

    • We must know and understand that just because we are Christians does not mean that we will be content and satisfied. It requires a continual diligent discipline. It requires that we turn our attention to those things that are eternal.

    • Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. NKJV

      
      

14. What is the difference between resignation and contentment?

Resignation	Contentment
Acceptance - fatalism	Desires to see appropriate change
Apathy	Trust in God for His timing in change
Carelessness - I do not care	Patient until change takes place
Hopelessness	Hope for change
Unmotivated	Works toward change w/ the right attitude

NOTE: to have a desire for change does not necessarily indicate discontentment. It is God’s desire that we excel and improve, but resignation destroys those desires. Our motivations as to how and why we want to excel and improve become paramount.

15. Comparing discontentment to contentment – what is the difference?

Discontentment	Contentment
Whining, complaining and ungratefulness	Thankfulness (in everything give thanks)
Frustration and anger	Peace and Joy
Unwise and poor decisions	Righteous decisions
Dissatisfaction - striving to gain more...	Satisfaction – rest with what one has...
Critical spirit	Graciousness
Worry and anxiety	Spirit of faith
Negative Perspective	Positive perspective
Cynicism and skepticism	Delight for life
Relational difficulties	Strong and healthy relationships

NOTE: the resignation column and discontentment column characteristics can be results from other sinful decisions, such as unforgiveness, jealousy, etc.

What does this mean for me?

1. Each person is unique and each person has certain levels and natural graces, as to what level they can naturally be content. Some seem to be content with little and some seem to be content with more. No matter what level we are living at we must learn to be content (see contentment column).

   
   

2. Motivations and expectations play a significant role in our level of contentment.

   • Motivations – If our desire for more and change is founded in selfishness rather than bringing glory to God and His kingdom, then we will never be content and satisfied.

   • Expectations - The scriptures tell us to be content with food and clothing. Any higher expectations are a breeding ground for discontentment.

     
     

3. We are never to accept or to be content with sinfulness in others or ourselves. To do nothing regarding injustice is sin...James tells us that to him who knows to do what is right and does not do it, it is sin.

   
   

4. What are some indications that I am content and satisfied?

   • That I happily live within my current means and situation (joy)

   • That I continually maintain proper biblical priorities and perspective (righteousness)

   • That there is a lack of personal irritation and frustration regarding things that are beyond my influence and control (peace).

     
     

5. That I am making good and wise decisions.

   
   

6. What are some ways in which contentment and satisfaction can be destroyed?

   • Comparing my life and situations to other people’s life and situations.

   • Not properly dealing with greed and covetousness.

   • Listening to negative thoughts, words and ideas.

     
     

7. Where can true satisfaction and contentment be found?

   • True satisfaction and contentment can only be found in a righteous relationship with Jesus Christ.

   • Just because we are Christian does not signify that we will be content and satisfied.

   • Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. NKJV