Things of Interest

Why do we like the things we like?  There are a myriad of things that pique and hold our interest, for hours, days, years, or a lifetime. Why?

It cannot be mere excellence, for there are many things that are excellently done, that we do not find interesting. And on the flip side, we unfortunately like things that are not excellent.

One thought I do have in this regard is "acquired taste".  About the time I turned 40 years old, out of necessity, I began drinking coffee. My job demanded that I stay awake at very unusual hours. I didn't like it, but needed it. In the past six months or so I have begun somewhat liking the taste. In this instance, at least, I have acquired a taste.

What about other things?  Another area would be style of music. Why do we like baroque, for example, but not Romanian folk music?  Is it a learned taste?  Are we genetically predisposed to some things?

To take it further, what happens when we acquire a taste that is sinful?  An extreme example would be heroin. I've heard that once addicted, one cannot ever stop craving it.  What is going on there?  Are our likes and dislikes strictly physiological?  Is there some sort of chemical transformation going on that is forming us and making us who we are, even on a psychological level?

In light of these questions, we need to consider the power of the Holy Spirit over sin, our freewill and our responsibility to control and direct our flesh, not allowing our passions to rule us. As part of the body of Christ, we can do nothing else.