What is Happiness?

Everyone wants to be “happy”. But… what is happiness?

Happiness: The Modern View

The modern secular world often defines happiness as a state of personal satisfaction, pleasure, or emotional well-being. It is usually tied to external factors—success, relationships, wealth, comfort, entertainment, or self-fulfillment. In this view, happiness is subjective and individualistic, something to be pursued and maintained through life choices and circumstances that maximize pleasure and minimize pain.

Happiness: The Biblical View

In contrast, the Bible’s view of happiness (often expressed as blessedness or joy) is rooted in a right relationship with God. It is not primarily about feelings or circumstances but about peace with God, a clean conscience, and a heart aligned with His will. Biblical happiness flows from trust in God, obedience, and the inner work of the Holy Spirit. It endures hardship and even suffering because it is based on something deeper than momentary pleasure—it is grounded in eternal truth and divine presence.

Let’s take this discussion deeper with scripture, followed by commentary by Watchman Nee.

“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish unto God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” – Hebrews 9.14.

Watchman Nee reflects:

“This verse tells us to what degree Christ can save our conscience. His blood is able to cleanse it from dead works. Let me ask you about your conscience. Is it under accusation? If yours is constantly under accusation, you have not fully possessed what Christ has accomplished for you. The Lord saves us; and His blood cleanses our conscience. It is so cleansed by His blood that there is no more condemnation.
When we gather together we may sometimes pray, “O God, we thank You for we have our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience”; yet afterwards we are frequently troubled. This that happens simply indicates that we have only had our conscience covered or that it is at times overlooked. But the blood of the Son of God is able to cleanse us. He is able to save us to the extent of having our conscience totally cleansed.”

The Inner Struggle We All Know

So, what is happiness? Everyone desires this elusive state, but few attain it. Are we resigned to experiencing happiness as a fleeting feeling, a temporary quality of mind? Or is there a way to be happy as a prolonged, lasting condition?

If we adopt the secular definition of happiness, it is inevitable that we will be subject to our circumstances. Our happiness will be tied to our situation in life. In good times, we will be happy. In bad times, we won’t. When things are going our way, we’ll be content. And when challenges overwhelm us, we will suffer.

However, by adopting the Biblical definition of happiness, we can become free from the world’s circumstances. But in order to do this, we have to align ourselves with God instead of the world. What does that mean? In simple terms, when we ‘fear the Lord” we no longer have to ‘fear the world”. Fear in this context means total surrender. When we fully and completely submit to God, we are under His protection. And when the creator of the universe is our protector, no earthly fear can control us.

Taking it Deeper: Having a Clear Conscience

Watchman Nee touches something profound in his meditation on Hebrews 9:14. He moves beyond surface-level ideas of peace and joy and points to the conscience—our internal compass—as the seat of true happiness.

Nee says that many Christians still live with a conscience under accusation, even after accepting Christ. This means that although they may believe they are saved, they do not experience the deep rest and relief that comes from truly knowing their guilt has been removed.

When the conscience is not at rest, happiness becomes a fleeting illusion, something we try to manufacture through success, distraction, or even religion itself. But if our conscience is cleansed, Nee implies, happiness becomes possible—real, sustaining happiness.

A Cleansed Conscience as the Gateway

Nee highlights the difference between a conscience that is merely covered and one that is cleansed. A covered conscience can still be haunted. We can pray, sing, and serve, yet still feel the shadow of unworthiness or fear inside. That kind of inner conflict drains the soul and undermines peace.

But Hebrews 9:14 speaks of a cleansing so complete that the conscience is set free from “dead works”—those efforts that stem from guilt or self-justification. With such a cleansing, the inner voice of condemnation is silenced, and what replaces it is not just relief but joy.

So, that leads back to the question: What is happiness? It is not about outward circumstances, comforts or pleasures, but the deep security of being right with God. The truly happy person is not the one with the easiest life, but the one who knows God. And according to Hebrews 9:14, when we know God, we can fully claim a clear conscience.

Serving from Freedom, Not Obligation

When Nee speaks of being cleansed “to serve the living God,” he reveals a shift in motivation. Dead works are the result of our human condition. On our own, we cannot help but act through self-interest and self-focus. But a conscience cleansed by the blood of Christ yields in us works that have the blessing of God.

Real happiness, therefore, is found when we submit to God. This willing submission gives us access to a freedom that only Christ’s blood provides: not a life without responsibility, but a life free from the fear of worldly challenges. It is from this state that we can experience the hallmarks of happiness – gratitude, peace, and love.

A happy life requires us to actively focus on and fully trust God. Only then will our conscience be quiet and our soul secure. And miraculously, by the power of the Holy Spirit, when we are in this state, our actions will no longer be tainted by self-interest. They will become expressions of God’s will, which is the definition of pure joy. That is perhaps the deepest answer to the question, What Is Happiness?—a life lived in the freedom of a forgiven and awakened heart.

About Raleigh Acupuncture

At Raleigh Acupuncture Associates, we are deeply committed to providing the highest quality professional acupuncture while being rooted in strong Judeo-Christian values of love, faith, kindness, and truth. We guide our practice with compassionate care, where each patient is treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their background, faith, or beliefs. We welcome people from all walks of life and strive to create a warm, inclusive environment promoting healing and holistic wellness. Our dedication to delivering exceptional acupuncture is paired with a genuine love for helping others, making our clinic a place where faith and professional medical care come together for the well-being of every patient.

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