Desires are internal traps and snares that await opportunities to cause a person to sin. “…each person is being tempted whenever he is being dragged off and enticed by the bait of his own desire.” (James 1:14, Complete Jewish Bible) While outwardly a person may appear to be living a godly life, internally there may be desires that are not easily identified – by the individual, and much less by others. As God warned Jeremiah’s scribe, “Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don’t! For I am bringing disaster on everything living…” (Jeremiah 45:5, Complete Jewish Bible)
Desire is not adequately addressed in legalistic religious systems as legalism focuses on doing the right thing. When someone fails because desire was lurking, they repent and go on, while desire continues to wait for another opportunity. “Do not love the world or the things of the world. If someone loves the world, then love for the Father is not in him; because all the things of the world – the desires of the old nature, the desires of the eyes, and the pretensions of life – are not from the Father but from the world.” (I John 2:15-16, Complete Jewish Bible)
It’s impossible to set parameters for “desires of the old nature, and desires of the eyes.” Like leaven, it permeates every part of a person; heart, soul, body, mind and spirit. Leaven in the Bible describes both the Kingdom of God (Matthew 13:33), and wickedness (Matthew 16:6), inferring that leaven is neither good or bad, but rather pervasive. Therefore, it will be one or the other; either completely dedicated to God, or entertaining our desires, leading to sin and death.
When we rely on the righteousness of Christ, the Holy Spirit is at work to put an end to ungodly desires. We will no longer struggle with hidden desires on our own. The Holy Spirit works to focus our attention and our desires on Christ, his righteousness, peace, strength and love. “Seek the favor of the Lord, and He will grant you the desires of your heart.” (Psalms 37:4, Tanakh) God wants to be the desire of your heart, and our desire for Him leads to eternal life. “…desire realized is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12, Tanakh)