Guarding our hearts against pleasure
KINGSLAYER
series overview
Just like the FBI and CIA scan for threats to national security, we need to be on high alert for threats in our own lives. Spiritually, what we’re up against isn’t always visible. Enemy tactics are subtle, strategic, and deadly. In this four week series, we’ll dig into the lives of several biblical kings who were taken out—not by an external force, but from the inside out. Pride. Envy. Disobedience. These silent assassins slipped past their defenses and left destruction in their wake. Join us as we expose these threats and learn how to guard our hearts, stay alert, and win the battle against these “Kingslayers.”
Week #3
Solomon
Sermon Summary
This week we explored how the pursuit of pleasure became a “kingslayer” for Solomon. Despite his God-given wisdom and early faithfulness, Solomon allowed his appetites to drive his life rather than walking with God. Through his journal in Ecclesiastes, we see his honest confession that chasing pleasure, wealth, accomplishments, and self-gratification led to emptiness—like “chasing the wind.” Solomon’s conclusion after wrecking his life was simple: “Fear God and keep his commandments.” The research on happiness confirms what Scripture teaches: true fulfillment comes not from pursuing happiness directly, but from chasing after God and letting happiness find us.
ice breaker
What’s one thing you were absolutely convinced you “had to have” as a child, but once you got it, quickly lost interest in?
DISCUSSion
Select 3-4 questions from the list below to guide your discussion time.
- The Wisdom Trap: Solomon knew God’s wisdom (he even wrote Proverbs 3:5-6) but failed to apply it to his own life. Why do you think it’s often easier to give good advice than to follow it ourselves? What’s one area where you know the right thing to do but struggle to do it?
- Appetite Control: The sermon mentioned that “appetites were created by God and distorted by sin” and that they “always scream ‘Right now!’ never ‘Later.'” Read Hebrews 12:16-17. Which of your appetites (for achievement, approval, comfort, control, etc.) tends to be most demanding? How do you typically respond when that appetite is screaming for immediate gratification?
- Square Pegs in Round Holes: Solomon tried to fill his God-shaped hole with pleasure, laughter, alcohol, building projects, wealth, and relationships. Looking at your own life, what “square pegs” have you tried to force into that round hole in your heart? What was the result? How does Paul’s advice to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:17 on this speak to the issue?
- The “If Only” Game: Read Numbers 11:4-6. The sermon listed many “If only…” statements that keep us from being grateful for what we have now. Complete this sentence honestly: “I think I’d be truly happy if only…” What does your answer reveal about where you’re looking for fulfillment?
- Chasing God vs. Chasing Happiness: According to Matthew 6:31-34, Jesus taught that when we seek God’s kingdom first, everything else follows. What would it look like practically for you to “chase after God” rather than chase after happiness this week?
WRAP UP & PRAYER
Pray for one another, keeping some of these requests in mind based on Psalm 23:
- Wisdom to Apply Truth: Pray for the ability to not just know God’s wisdom but to actually live it out in daily decisions and choices.
- Freedom from Appetite Control: Ask God to help break free from any appetites or desires that have become demanding “life coaches” leading toward destructive patterns.
- Gratitude for the Present: Pray for eyes to see and hearts to appreciate God’s blessings today rather than always looking toward “someday” for happiness.
- Deeper Walk with God: Ask for a genuine desire to pursue God above all else, trusting that He will provide everything needed for true fulfillment and joy.