What is Christian Hedonism?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

“Hedonism” refers to the pursuit of pleasure. “Christian Hedonism” is a term coined by John Piper to refer to pursuing God because He is the ultimate source of pleasure. Piper teaches that “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him” (source). This view teaches that God created humanity to find joy and delight primarily in Him. The believer’s deepest satisfaction comes through fellowship with God Himself. Scripture repeatedly affirms the joy of delighting in God. The LORD’s presence is joy, and we are to delight in Him (Psalm 16:11, 37:4). The Bible also teaches that God’s glory and our joy are deeply interconnected. God designed humanity so that the pursuit of joy in Him would lead directly to His glory. New Testament writers regularly command joy and expressions of deep satisfaction in Christ. Paul exemplified such joy, knowing that Christ surpassed all other joys such that he was willing to give up all temporal forms of joy to gain Christ (Philippians 4:4). In a similar vein, he commands Christians to likewise rejoice in God. “Christian hedonism,” then, teaches that true joy is neither selfish nor sinful—it honors and glorifies God, making the pursuit of such joy an essential part of genuine faith.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Psalm 16:11 declares, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Here, joy is not merely permissible—it is abundant, eternal, and centered in God Himself.
• Delighting (finding joy) in the LORD meets our heart-felt desires because the heart is in line with God’s desires (Psalm 37:4).
• In Nehemiah 8:10, the Israelites were crying because of their sin and the weight of God’s law. Nehemiah encouraged them by saying,, “the joy of the LORD is your strength.”All good things come from God, including joy
• Psalm 42:1 reveals a deep longing for God’s presence. This intense desire for God’s presence illustrates the believer’s pursuit of satisfaction and joy in the living God.
• Isaiah invites God’s people to seek satisfaction in Him (Isaiah 55:1-3). Isaiah uses the imagery of feasting and drinking to depict the type of deep satisfaction that is only found in those who have a relationship with God.
• Asaph highlighted the contrast between fleeting earthly pleasures and the lasting joy found in God (Psalm 73:25). The greatest joy and deepest satisfaction come through intimacy with God.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Jesus promised, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). This abundant life is not a promise of wealth or ease but the fullness of joy found uniquely in relationship with Christ.
• Jesus emphasized joy as foundational to Christian discipleship (John 15:11). Christ’s teachings are explicitly designed to produce joy and satisfaction in the hearts of His followers.
• Joy is not optional—it is commanded (Philippians 4:4). However, one’s rejoicing is to be in the Lord, not circumstances. Paul modeled this principle, confessing joy despite his many trials (Colossians 1:24; 2 Corinthians 6:4-10).
• Paul, though previously highly respected within the Jewish community and likely even wealthy, found such satisfaction in Christ that he willingly suffered loss in the world to gain that incomparable joy (Philippians 3:8).
• The author of Hebrews describes Christ’s own motivation as joy (Hebrews 12:2). Believers, following Christ’s example, pursue joy through obedience, worship, and sacrificial living.
• Peter likewise writes of an inexpressible joy available even amid trials (1 Peter 1:8). The Christian’s joy is real and independent of earthly comfort when it is grounded in God.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

“Christian hedonism” is a biblical way of describing how believers should approach worship, obedience, and daily life. It rejects a shallow view of happiness, directing Christians away from fleeting pleasures and toward eternal joy in Christ. It is a reminder that genuine joy in God is central to spiritual maturity.

Practically, this changes how we deal with temptation and sin. Sin is not something joyful that we have to give up in order to be good Christians. Instead, sin is a false joy that pulls us away from God, who is the source of true joy. God’s commands are to show us what to reject because sin ultimately (even eternally) hurts us. Fighting sin, then, is not about self-denial but pursuing the superior joy found in Christ. Obedience becomes a delight rather than drudgery.

“Christian hedonism” also changes our view of service. Ministry and sacrifice are not mere obligations any more than stopping sin is mere dry obedience. Instead, they are ways for us to express our joy in the Lord by helping others also have that joy. Because believers find their joy in God’s glory, they can serve willingly, generously, and joyfully—even in difficulty or loss.

Ultimately, “Christian hedonism” brings life to evangelism. Sharing the gospel becomes about inviting others into everlasting joy, calling them to find true satisfaction and lasting happiness in Christ alone. The gospel offers salvation from judgment and a joyous relationship with the God who made us to delight in Him.

UNDERSTAND

• Christian hedonism teaches that the pursuit of joy in God is an essential part of Christian life.
• According to Christian hedonism, God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.
• Joy in God transforms every area of life, turning obedience, service, and evangelism into expressions of delight rather than burdensome obligations.

REFLECT

• What are you currently finding joy in, and how does that compare to the joy offered in knowing and delighting in God?
• How would your obedience to God change if you saw it as a path to deeper joy rather than just a duty?
• How have you viewed Christian service or evangelism as an obligation rather than a joyful overflow of your satisfaction in Christ, and how can this be seen differently?

ENGAGE

• How does the idea that “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him” challenge or reshape the way we think about Christian maturity?
• What are some practical ways we can help one another pursue joy in God rather than temporary pleasures?
• How does joy in Christ influence the way we talk about the gospel to people who view Christianity as restrictive or joyless?