Bible Reading: James 1:14-15
Is it wrong to want?
That depends on what it is we want and to what lengths we’ll go to get it.
To want to please God or show love and kindness to others is good.
To want to improve our lives or raise our standard of living is okay – as long as we don’t step on people in the process.
To want someone or something – anyone or anything – that isn’t ours to have and to want that person or thing so badly that we feel we can’t live without him or it is lust. James 1:14 & 15 say, “But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” Giving in to our lustful desires is fatal.
Lust, that intense desire or longing to have something that isn’t ours or that is harmful to our physical, emotional, or spiritual health is want gone bad. We can lust after anything from a candy bar (Eve lusted after a piece of fruit and look what happened! Genesis 3:6) to a person.
What is it that you want?
What does God want for you?
The answers to those two questions should be the same. If they aren’t, what are you going to do about it?
“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Galatians 5:16
Prayer: Heavenly Father, show me what You want for my life. Help me to want the same things. In Jesus’ name. Amen.