"Illusory joy is often worth more than genuine sorrow." "Common sense is the most fairly distributed thing in the world, for each one thinks he is so well-endowed with it that even those who are hardest to satisfy in all other matters are not in the habit of desiring more of it than they already have."
Yes, Rene Descartes, the French Philosopher from the 1600's is credited with both of these quips. They strike me as humorous because they both speak of illusions. While the second one speaks of an illusion we all humor ourselves with, as a consolation prize; the first appears to be non-existent. Yet, that's the one that is real. In other words, we call what is genuine, illusory, and with what is in scant supply, we call ourselves well-endowed.
Afterall, joy is not an illusion is it? If it is joyous, then it is real. If it sparks some emotion of joy, then it exists. You don't have to see something for it to be real.
The word often used to describe joy in the new Testament is fulfilled. The Greek word behind it means to fill something up that is hollow, and that makes sense, seeing that we can feel hollow in much of our pursuit of joy. The same Greek word pleroo is mostly used to talk about Scriptures or time being fulfilled by Jesus. It is used for the Apostles' preaching too in Acts 5:28 and Romans 15:19. But, we also see it used when humans become filled with good or bad things. Luke 2:40 Acts 5:3 Then there is the time the room was filled with the odors of Mary's oil when she anointed Jesus' feet. John 12:3 And, the parable we never really hear about, of the net filled with the fish in the sea, and some thrown back. Matthew 13:47-48 And, Philippians 4:19 hides the time our needs are fulfilled with the translated word "supply."
We all like to be filled with joy Acts 2:28, and comfort 2 Corinthians 7:4. But, that is only possible by being filled with God. Ephesians 1:23 and Ephesians 3:19.
Yes, Rene Descartes, the French Philosopher from the 1600's is credited with both of these quips. They strike me as humorous because they both speak of illusions. While the second one speaks of an illusion we all humor ourselves with, as a consolation prize; the first appears to be non-existent. Yet, that's the one that is real. In other words, we call what is genuine, illusory, and with what is in scant supply, we call ourselves well-endowed.
Afterall, joy is not an illusion is it? If it is joyous, then it is real. If it sparks some emotion of joy, then it exists. You don't have to see something for it to be real.
The word often used to describe joy in the new Testament is fulfilled. The Greek word behind it means to fill something up that is hollow, and that makes sense, seeing that we can feel hollow in much of our pursuit of joy. The same Greek word pleroo is mostly used to talk about Scriptures or time being fulfilled by Jesus. It is used for the Apostles' preaching too in Acts 5:28 and Romans 15:19. But, we also see it used when humans become filled with good or bad things. Luke 2:40 Acts 5:3 Then there is the time the room was filled with the odors of Mary's oil when she anointed Jesus' feet. John 12:3 And, the parable we never really hear about, of the net filled with the fish in the sea, and some thrown back. Matthew 13:47-48 And, Philippians 4:19 hides the time our needs are fulfilled with the translated word "supply."
We all like to be filled with joy Acts 2:28, and comfort 2 Corinthians 7:4. But, that is only possible by being filled with God. Ephesians 1:23 and Ephesians 3:19.
