Think about any sin you have ever committed in your life. What did it begin with? It begins with a legitimate desire. For the most part. At its core. But then it is attempted to be fulfilled in an illegitamate way.
There’s the desire to reproduce is legitimate, but all sorts of deviations have been concocted to fulfill that desire illegitimately.
People have a desire for things that bring pleasure and comfort. Thieves steal so that can have these things. Legitimate desires fulfilled in a legitimate way.
Then there’s the need to belong and feel respected. That’s why people will slander, accuse, gossip and compete. Legitimate desire with illegitimate fulfillment.
Doing things outside of God’s way by sinning is quicker, has a rush of pleasure and requires no faith or work but it never fully satisfied until the next act of sin.
Doing things God’s ways means it often comes slower, requires faith and in the long run is more fulfilling.
Jesus was tested in this way. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.
He was promised power, authority and respect by satan if only he would follow Scripture but do so in an illegitimate way. Satan used Scripture to support his argument. This often happens. Scripture is used to justify sin.
But Jesus knew better. That satan is always a liar and a deceiver. And he knew Scripture well enough to know when it was being applied inappropriately.
To get to his goal, Jesus would have to endure more years and more suffering. It would come slower, require faith in the goodness of the Father, but would provide a joy set before him that would endure for all eternity, not just for this lifetime.
He had eternity on his mind.
It made me think of what sins in my life come from legitimate desires but are fulfilled illegitimately. The list is long.
So much of desire requires faith. And a recognition that in this life we will have many desires unfulfilled. And THAT’s OK. And to be Ok with that. Because we have eternity in mind.
Because if we think that our every desire will be fulfilled in this life, we will spend ourselves for this life and not wait patiently for all that the LORD has to come.
