Satisfaction
SATISFAC’TION, n. [L. satisfactio. See Satisfy.]
1. That state of the mind which results from the full gratification of desire; repose of mind or contentment with present possession and enjoyment. Sensual pleasure affords no permanent satisfaction.
2. The act of pleasing or gratifying.
Even Webster has a bit of a struggle to distinguish between the two words. Basically I believe the key differences are one centers around the seeking of sensual pleasures (gratification) and that it is very temporal while satisfaction is more of an overall sense of fulfillment.
What I have begun to realize is that this world/my flesh seems pretty determined to find gratification at any cost…lust, greed, materialism, sexual immorality (pornography, adultery, homosexuality, etc), gluttony and the list goes on. We’ve been blinded to the truth that all of this stuff leads to nothing more than emptiness…death. All the while, what we’re really seeking is satisfaction…life. Even the Rolling Stones had to admit in one of their more popular hits that they “couldn’t get no satisfaction”. But what I read in the Scriptures is that God does offer us satisfaction. He has wired us to seek satisfaction…and I believe that the reason is simply that it drives us, ultimately, towards Him. After all, only He can truly satisfy. Only He can give us bread that will cause us to never hunger again and water that will truly and eternally satisfy our thirst. All that is required of me/us is an abiding life in Him (John 15).
Anyway, I have been thinking about this idea for awhile and thought I would see what you all think…
Great Blog!