Let’s talk about desires.  We all have them.  Either good or bad, we have them.  The question is not whether we have desires, the question is what kind do we have, and which desires overcome us and rule us.  Most of us know that whatever we concentrate on is what we will desire.  It can be things we want to possess, food or even a person.  Whatever we spend our time thinking about will rule our day.  Whatever we focus on will create in us a desire for that object or for that person.  What we spend the most time thinking about will rule our desires.  Some desires will overcome in the negative and suppress our dedication to Christ and some desires will overcome in the positive and increase our dedication to Christ.  So let’s begin our study for the day.

When I was reading First Timothy 5:11 in the NIV there was this phrase, “for when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ” that jumped out at me. Now most of the time when we see the word sensual we immediately think of sexual desires and though that would be included, it is not limited to that area of our lives; there is much more to it than that.  The definition of sensual is: to gratification of the senses; or devoted to the pleasures of the senses.  Now our senses include our sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.  This gives a broader perspective and meaning of how we can apply this scripture to our lives.  Smells can trigger memories of homemade bread and pies or a roast baking in the oven.  Is anyone hungry yet?  Hah!  But smells can also play havoc for a person who suffers with allergies.  Our sight also gives us stimuli.  When we see the sun shining we might automatically think it is warm outside but in winter the sun can be shining and it still be cold outside.  What about our hearing?  What we heard spoken to us or about us as a child can affect how we respond to situations even after we are grown.  Though we are to lay down those childish thoughts and ways of responding, we cannot deny that they helped to form our thinking and who we are today.  Even as adults we are still influenced by what we hear and see.

What about our feelings?  We know they play important roles in our lives even though they are sometimes a little crazy!  We “feel” in love, we “feel” happy, we “feel” angry, sad, lazy, etc., etc.  We know that God gave them to us so they can’t be all bad… right??  But we also know that if gone unchecked and uncontrolled they can get us into big trouble affecting our behavior and words and even our motives.   It is clear that what we see and hear, and even smell, and how we feel, can distract us from our dedication to Christ. This is not rock science, it is simple truth; our sensual desires left unchecked will overcome our dedication to Christ.

Now let’s take another look at that same Scripture (1Timothy 5:11) in the New Kings James Version.  That same phrase reads a little differently; it says, “They have begun to grow wanton against Christ”.  Wanton is described as undisciplined, having no regard for justice or the feelings for other.  It can also means merciless.  Now that again changes the look of the whole picture of that phrase.  We all know that being disciplined means to in control; and good control is gained by obedience and training in the Word of God which allows Him to direct our lives.  So if we notice that we are undisciplined in an area of our lives, it stands to reason that we are not submitting to the leading of God in that area.   If we are not exhibiting justice or treating others well, we are being partial and compromising our witness in accurately living the life God has planned for us.  If we are not merciful toward others, we are being harsh and unforgiving.

The only way we can gain victory and overcome the desires that pull us away from God is to continually spend time with Him renewing our mind to His Word.  If we want to change our desires, we must change our focus.

The more we concentrate on something or someone the more precious they become to us, the more we desire them.  Whatever we continually focus on is what we will desire.  God is worthy of our time and effort to know Him better.  It is impossible to please Him without faith (Hebrew 11:6), and according to Romans 10:17 the only way we can have faith is by hearing and hearing the Word of God.  So, to please God we must have faith (in Him), and to have faith we must hear Him (His Word), and to hear His Word we must spend time with Him (pray and study of His Word).  In doing this our desires will change and instead of them pulling us away from Him, our desires will pull us toward Him.  Let us not grow weary in doing well in drawing closer to Him.  Every minute we spend with God increases our faith and increases our quality of life.  As we are told in Joshua 1:8, when we keep His Word before us, we make our way prosperous and will have good success. 

I challenge you this week to schedule more time with the Lord making your way prosperous and having good success.

If this message has helped you, encouraged you, please leave a comment.