Are Christians Happier Than Everyone Else?

Are Christians happier than everyone else?  It depends.  If they are indeed born again Christians who are walking with God, then yes.  True Christianity is the only genuine pathway to happiness.  But if a Christian is not truly born again, not walking with God, not living according to God's will, then happiness will always be out of reach.

1 Peter 3:10-12 is a beautiful passage of Scripture that contains both the promise of happiness, and the pathway to happiness.  

10 For the one who wants to love life 

and to see good days, 

let him keep his tongue from evil 

and his lips from speaking deceit, 

11 and let him turn away from evil 

and do what is good. 

Let him seek peace and pursue it

12 because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous 

and his ears are open to their prayer. 

But the face of the Lord is against 

those who do what is evil.

This passage promises that you can love life and see good days.  What is the pathway to happiness?  

1) Keep your tongue from evil.  “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21).”  It's hard to enjoy life when you have a giant foot stuck in your mouth.  Learn to control your tongue or you will be devoured by your own mouth.

2) Turn away from evil.  “Don’t gaze at wine because it is red, because it gleams in the cup and goes down smoothly.  In the end it bites like a snake and stings like a viper (Proverbs 23:31-32).”  What is true of alcohol is true of all sin.  It may gleam and go down smoothly, but in the end it bites like a snake.  Choose to sin, choose to suffer.

3) Do good.  Do God's will, and be the person God wants you to be.  God's will is best, because He is all-loving and all-knowing.  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take (Proverbs 3:5-6).”

4) Seek peace and pursue it.  “If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18).”  Seek peace with God, peace with men, and inner peace with yourself.  Peace with God is found through faith in Jesus Christ.  Peace with men is found by being a peacemaker.  Inner peace is found by avoiding sinful attitudes and thoughts and living with a clear conscience.