Mastering Sinful Desires
by David M. Tyler
There are two categories of “desires” or lusts (lust is a strong desire). First, there are “inborn desires”. Inborn lusts are part of our physical makeup. These have to do with bodily lusts such as hunger, thirst, sex, etc. Secondly, are “instilled desires” which are acquired and learned. Inborn and instilled lusts, when aroused and gratified biblically, are good.
A lust can become sinful when it becomes a habit and controls an individual. It becomes a bodily craving that is gratified for wrong purposes and in the wrong way. Paul wrote, “Our old self was crucified with Christ, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin” (Romans 6:6).
Bondage to Desires
Inborn desires are permanent. You cannot “do away with” them however, you must not be enslaved by them. Instilled desires may seem to be permanent but are not. Sinful desires must be replaced by righteousness.
Christians, in this life, will never be perfect. They themselves are saved but their body is not. Paul says, “We ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body” (Romans 8:23). Redemption of our body will bring our struggle with inborn and instilled desires to an end.
The spirit of the world produces an atmosphere inciting sinful lusts. For example, the beach provides an atmosphere for immoral thoughts and sexual desires. A vocation and career create an atmosphere for greed; love of money. A trip to the mall an atmosphere for covetousness. The examples are endless as to the ways the world provokes sinful desires.
Who’s to Blame?
The Apostle James, in order to help us better understand our inner struggles, breaks down the process of temptation (James 1:14, 15). The first step is enticement. “Each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.” James places the blame where it belongs; the person’s “own lust.” It is not God, your circumstance, or another person that tempts you to sin. It is an inborn desire (eating, drinking, sex) that is not under your control (gluttony, drunkenness, fornication). It is a sinfully instilled desire (greed, anger, lying) that has not been put off.
The second step is conception. Lust is “conceived.” James uses the analogy of a woman conceiving a child. It happens inside the woman. Sin is conceived in the heart (Mark 7:21-23). The inside of men and women.
Step three is “it gives birth to sin.” The baby is born. Sin in the heart becomes sin in the body. This is outward sin.
A temptation only becomes sin when we accept it. The suggestion itself, the temptation, the feeling of lust is not sin. Sin is giving in to an inborn or instilled desire that is not under control or been replaced.
Instead of controlling us we are meant to control desires. They take charge, silence the conscience, throw reason and understanding overboard. This complicates one’s relationships with God, spouse, parent, and child and others. Uncontrolled desire is responsible for all people’s troubles.
Lust & Deceit
The corrupting factor behind sinful lust is deceit. Men are “corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit” (Ephesians 4:22). Deception manipulates desire. Desire manipulates man. Whether a person realizes it or not deceit is underlying influence of life in the world. However, behind it all is the devil. The one that is responsible for the fallen condition of angels and man. There is nothing more characteristic of the devil than the element of deceit; his deceitfulness.
Every person has their own sinful lusts. James says, “Each one is tempted… by his own lust” (1:14). Everyone has the same inborn desires, but not tempted in the same way. Temptations regarding eating, drinking and sex are different in different people. However, not everyone has the same instilled desires. These are individualized too.
We are all unique in the things that tempt us and the ways we sin. Therefore, every person needs to examine himself. Understand their individual temptations and sinful habits. What things, persons or circumstances are a temptation for you? Knowing these things will help you control them and rehabituate yourself to please God and neighbor.
Books & Resources by David M. Tyler click link: davidmtyler.org