Fun: Enjoyment and Recreation in Christian Life

God is not a killjoy, and Christians with sour faces are not a good advertisement for Jesus. Taking pleasure in wholesome activities and games where you can enjoy yourself while mixing informally with others is not only permissible but beneficial for balanced living.

The Biblical Foundation for Enjoyment

Biblical teachings strongly support the idea of experiencing joy and relaxation. According to scripture, God created humans to enjoy pleasure and happiness, which reflect His own creative nature. Achieving genuine happiness involves caring for our spirit, soul, and body. The Psalms mention finding delight in God’s presence (Ps 37:4, 43:4), and Ecclesiastes (Eccl 2:24, 8:15, 11:8) highlights enjoyment as a gift from God that should be valued wisely.

Christians are urged to let biblical guidance influence how they approach fun and leisure. Everything we do ought to honour God and avoid causing others to stumble (1 Cor 8:9; Col 3:17). This means our leisure activities should show our commitment to Christ and illustrate how the Gospel transforms all areas of life.

Have an eternal perspective

Balancing joy and responsibility is key—while we’re encouraged to rejoice and appreciate life, our main purpose is to glorify God (1 Cor 10:31; Rev 4:11).
Enjoyment doesn't need to disappear; rather, our recreational choices should align with our faith and deepest values.

Principles for Wholesome Recreation

Our times of fun and relaxation should never compromise our faith, integrity, or dedication; otherwise, pleasure can lead to spiritual harm. We must choose activities that reflect Christian principles and avoid those that contradict our beliefs, using discernment and wisdom.

Enjoyment shouldn’t come at the expense of others—whether they lack ability, face difficulties, or are imitated negatively. True Christian recreation respects the dignity and well-being of everyone involved. Activities that exclude, mock, or exploit others oppose the love and respect central to Christian community.

Who we spend time with during recreation matters as well. While Christians are meant to influence the world positively, we should be cautious about what shapes our leisure habits. Paul reminds us that bad company can spoil good character (1 Cor 15:33), so our choices in recreation can either strengthen or weaken our spiritual life.

Wholesome fun is beneficial

Balancing Enjoyment with Spiritual Priorities

We shouldn’t be fooled by the temporary pleasures of sin but should think about long-term outcomes (Heb 11:25). Hebrews contrasts brief enjoyment with lasting reward, urging believers to focus on eternal values over short-lived satisfaction. This perspective encourages us to consider the lasting impact of our recreational choices on our spiritual growth.

For healthy Christian living, work and rest—activity and recreation—must be balanced. The Sabbath/Sunday principle (Ex 20:8-11) shows why regular rest and renewal matter, not to avoid responsibility but to sustain our ability to serve God well. Proper recreation restores energy, refreshes minds, and prepares us for ongoing service in God’s kingdom.

In the end, our attitude towards fun and recreation should reveal the joy and abundance Jesus promises. When we embrace life within God’s guidelines, we show that being a follower of Christ isn’t about limitations—it’s about living fully as God intended.

Reflection and Application:

Evaluate your recreational activities in light of biblical principles.
Consider whether your leisure choices reflect Christian values to others.
Ensure your fun activities don't compromise your spiritual standards.
Use recreation as an opportunity to build relationships and witness.