Lust

Lust is generally viewed in a sexual nature. Most of us automatically think of this way. However, our lust can be directed toward other things. Lust is an intense desire for something. We can lust for power, money, material possessions, and even our mobile phone. Our lust has no boundaries and reaches far beyond sexual desires. The Bible lists three main forms of lust: Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of material possessions. Many times we lust after the wrong things or the wrong person. Our intense desire for instant gratification many times causes us to strongly desire worldly things.

“Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh” (Romans 13:14). The apostle Paul acknowledged misdirected lust in his letter to the Roman followers of Jesus. These words are true for us as well. Phrases like “Just do it” and “If it feels right, do it” are phrases of instant gratification and indicate a lustful desire for something. There are times when things may feel right, but they’re not. Cheating someone to get something may feel right, but never is. Putting people down may feel right, but it is not the right thing to do. Gaining status or power any way we can may feel right, but it isn’t. These are things that gratify the desires of our flesh. Something we should realize is that all of the worldly things we lust after are temporary. One day we will depart the land of the living and the things we lusted after will depart as well. The truth is most of us will be forgotten by those who are still living.

So, is lust ever a good thing? In looking at Romans 13:14, the answer is “yes.” Paul tells us to clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ. In other words, lust after the Lord Jesus Christ. We need a strong desire to know Jesus, not just in knowledge, but in a personal way. Our desire should be strongly directed toward becoming more like Jesus. This is a strong desire worthy of chasing, and is lust that will last into eternity. It is a lust that will go with us when we leave the land of the living. Our strong desire for Jesus will never be forgotten, and God will remember us always. The psalmist wrote in Psalm 37:4, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Delight is a feeling of great pleasure, satisfaction, or happiness. When we feel great pleasure and satisfaction in Jesus our desires will be given to us. Why? Because our desires will be the desires of God and not the desires of the flesh.