The trouble is, the pleasures of the world are not innocent.
1. They choke the Gospel, hindering salvation and service.
"And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection." -Luke 9:14.
2. They result in poverty and death.
"He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man." -Prov. 21:17.
"But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth." -I Tim. 5:6.
3. They lead Christians to take sides with the enemies of God.
"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." -Jas. 4:4.
4. We cannot follow Christ unless we give them up.
"So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." -Luke 14:33.
Two men who gave up all for Christ.
(1) Moses.
"By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." -Heb. 11:24-25.
(2) Paul.
"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ." -Phi. 3:7-8,