ONLY GOD CAN HELP US WITH OUR OVER-DESIRE
The Greek word translated “desire” is “epithumia,” which literally means “over-desire,” or “over-heated desire.” It might also be translated as “lust.”
Desire itself is not evil. God created us with desire. No one has to teach a baby to cry for its mother’s milk. It is born with the desire for food and drink. Yet, sin has has caused us to desire over-much, so that we become over-heated in wanting. We take shortcuts, we overeat, we overindulge and we over-do-it in getting things, but our desire cannot be satisfied because it always wants more.
James is graphic in describing desire as that within us which gives in to temptation. Having done so, it becomes like a womb conceiving and giving birth to sin. And sin, becomes a growing thing that when mature “brings forth death.” So desire is not only over-heated in its wanting, but also it is also easily tempted to want wrong things.
God has given us “every good gift” (James 1:17), yet we desire the gift over the Giver. However, when we receive the “word of truth” (James 1:18), which is the gospel, we are born again of the Spirit of God. And His Spirit gives us His desires and grants us self-control over our “over-desires.” Being born again, we begin to desire the Giver more than the gift.
PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us for desiring more than we need and for desiring that which is forbidden. Give us the spiritual fruit of self-control and sanctify our desires, so that we only want that which You would have for us. Teach us contentment. We desire to be satisfied in You alone, knowing that all our needs are met in Christ Jesus. In His name we pray, amen.