DESIRES UNDER GOD'S AUTHORITY
Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
Ephesians 4:19 (NIV)
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
Colossians 3:5 (NIV)
I was twenty years old when I tasted Alfredo sauce for the first time. It was love at first bite. Before long, I ate it four or five times a week. I poured it over pasta and used it as a dip for breadsticks. Within a month, my jeans were getting tighter, and my jogs were getting harder. Enjoying Alfredo sauce wasn't wrong. But my appetite was making decisions without much consideration for the consequences. What tasted good in the moment was affecting other parts of my life. Our desires can follow that same pattern. We want something, pursue it and gradually become less concerned about what it costs us—or others.
In Ephesians 4:19, Paul describes people who have surrendered themselves to sinful desires and remain greedy for more. Indulgence hasn't satisfied them. It has strengthened their appetite. Colossians 3:5 calls greed idolatry. We make an idol of something when we give it the trust, devotion or obedience that belongs to God. Approval, pleasure, possessions and control can become so important that we are willing to sin to obtain or protect them.
Wanting respect can become a willingness to belittle others. Wanting comfort can become an excuse to neglect responsibility. Wanting success can become permission to compromise our integrity. The revealing question is: What do I want so badly that I am tempted to disobey God to get it? Paul tells us to put sinful desires to death. That means refusing to feed them and taking concrete steps of obedience, depending on Christ's power. We bring our desires honestly before God and submit them to His authority.
God knows what we need. We can trust His goodness even when obedience means denying ourselves something we want.
APPLICATION: Name one desire that has gained too much control over your decisions. Choose one act of obedience today that challenges its influence, such as giving generously, accepting correction or removing access to a temptation.
PRAYER: Father, reveal the desires I have placed above You. Teach me contentment in Your provision and give me strength to obey You when my appetites pull me elsewhere. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don’t let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?