Permitted & Permitted & Prohibited DesireProhibited Desire

IntroductionIntroduction

Thomas defines the verb Thomas defines the verb epithumeō epithumeō as a as a compound of compound of epi epi [intensifier] and [intensifier] and thumos thumos [passion], meaning “desire, lust after” [passion], meaning “desire, lust after” [1937]. [1937].

Louw & Nida say it means: “(1) to greatly Louw & Nida say it means: “(1) to greatly desire to do or have something [25.12]; desire to do or have something [25.12]; (2) to strongly desire to have what belongs (2) to strongly desire to have what belongs to someone else and/or to engage in an to someone else and/or to engage in an activity which is morally wrong” [25.20].activity which is morally wrong” [25.20].

Physical Realm Physical Realm

The desire for physical food is natural The desire for physical food is natural (Luke 15:11-16; 16:19-21).(Luke 15:11-16; 16:19-21).

The desire for release from physical The desire for release from physical suffering is understandable suffering is understandable (Philippians 1:21-24; cf. Revelation (Philippians 1:21-24; cf. Revelation 9:6). 9:6).

Spiritual Realm Spiritual Realm

Desire for spiritual association is good (Luke Desire for spiritual association is good (Luke 17:22; 22:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20).17:22; 22:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20).

Desire for spiritual faithfulness is admirable Desire for spiritual faithfulness is admirable (Hebrews 6:11-12).(Hebrews 6:11-12).

Desire for spiritual oversight is Desire for spiritual oversight is commendable (1 Timothy 3:1; cf. 1 Peter commendable (1 Timothy 3:1; cf. 1 Peter 5:1-4).5:1-4).

Desire for spiritual understanding is virtuous Desire for spiritual understanding is virtuous (Matthew 13:16-17; 1 Peter 1:10-12).(Matthew 13:16-17; 1 Peter 1:10-12).

Sinful DesireSinful Desire

Sinful desire originates with Satan Sinful desire originates with Satan (John 8:44) and with self (James 1:13-(John 8:44) and with self (James 1:13-16). 16).

CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Sinful desire is corrupt (Ephesians Sinful desire is corrupt (Ephesians 4:20-24; 2 Peter 1:4).4:20-24; 2 Peter 1:4).

Sinful desire is callous (2 Peter 3:3-Sinful desire is callous (2 Peter 3:3-4). 4).

Sinful desire is carnal (Galatians Sinful desire is carnal (Galatians 5:16-24; 1 John 2:15-17).5:16-24; 1 John 2:15-17).

ExpressionsExpressions

Sinful desire is expressed in sexual Sinful desire is expressed in sexual immorality (Matthew 5:27-28; 1 immorality (Matthew 5:27-28; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8). Thessalonians 4:3-8).

Sinful desire is seen in materialistic Sinful desire is seen in materialistic coveting (Mark 4:18-19; Romans 7:7-coveting (Mark 4:18-19; Romans 7:7-11; 1 Timothy 6:9-10). 11; 1 Timothy 6:9-10).

Participants Participants

Lusts are the domain of self-indulgent Lusts are the domain of self-indulgent youth (2 Timothy 2:20-22). youth (2 Timothy 2:20-22).

Lusts are the defining characteristic of Lusts are the defining characteristic of sinful humanity (Romans 1:24-32; sinful humanity (Romans 1:24-32; Ephesians 2:1-3; Titus 3:3).Ephesians 2:1-3; Titus 3:3).

Lusts are a trait of apostate disciples (2 Lusts are a trait of apostate disciples (2 Timothy 3:6-7; 4:1-5; James 4:1-4).Timothy 3:6-7; 4:1-5; James 4:1-4).

Lusts are also characteristic of false Lusts are also characteristic of false teachers (2 Peter 2:9-11, 18-19; Jude 16-teachers (2 Peter 2:9-11, 18-19; Jude 16-21).21).

Conclusion Conclusion

We must not let sin reign in our mortal We must not let sin reign in our mortal bodies so that we obey its lusts (Romans bodies so that we obey its lusts (Romans 6:12-13).6:12-13).

We must We must put on the Lord Jesus Christ put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh in and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its regard to its lusts (Romans 13:13-14).lusts (Romans 13:13-14).

We must We must crucify the flesh with its crucify the flesh with its passions and passions and desires (Galatians 5:24-25).desires (Galatians 5:24-25).

We must consider ourselves dead to evil We must consider ourselves dead to evil desire (Colossians 3:5-7). desire (Colossians 3:5-7).

ConclusionConclusion

We must We must deny ungodliness and worldly deny ungodliness and worldly desires (Titus 2:11-14). desires (Titus 2:11-14).

We must not be conformed to the former We must not be conformed to the former lusts which were ours in ignorance (1 Peter lusts which were ours in ignorance (1 Peter 1:14-16).1:14-16).

We must abstain from fleshly lusts which We must abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul (1 Peter 2:11-wage war against the soul (1 Peter 2:11-12).12).

We must waste no more time in pursuing We must waste no more time in pursuing the lusts of men (1 Peter 4:1-5). the lusts of men (1 Peter 4:1-5).