Lust (ἐπιθυμία)
Although often translated as “lust”, this word simply means “a strong desire”. The English word “lust” is a specific description of desires that are perceived primarily to be of a sexual nature; however, the Greek word is much broader in its meaning, therefore it is the content that determines what is being desired, whether good or bad.
In the parable of the Sower of the seed, we find that the desires concerning the cares of this world and wealth came up like weeds and choked out the message of the Kingdom of the Heavens (Mark 4:19). In dealing with the Pharisees, Jesus reveals to them they are actually following the desires of their father, Satan (John 8:44). Often desires from Satan are looked at as wicked, but here we see the perceived religious leaders of the time being called out for doing his desires, not God’s. Satan wants to be like God (Isaiah 14:14) and comes as a messenger of light (2 Corinthians 11:14) to ensnare believers (2 Timothy 2:26) while secretly bringing in his sons to introduce false doctrines to manipulate the minds of the believers to follow his desires (Ephesians 2:2; Galatians 2:4). He did it to the Jews in Jesus’ time and still does it today to the Christians. Therefore, we should pay attention to what we are being taught and seek out pastors who speak the truth, not being in assemblies that focus on manipulating our desires through emotional experiences, whether through worship services, events, or gatherings to influence the attendees into feeling good about themselves rather than focusing on the truth.
When it comes to dealing with the desires from the sin nature, we have to apply the truth to our lives (the doctrine by which we have victory over sin) so that we stop letting these desires reign as king in our lives (Romans 6:12). We do not use the Mosaic law to overcome the desires from the sin nature, for our sin nature uses law as an opportunity to rule us again because law gives it strength (Romans 7:8). We live out from faith by grace, where the law is not out from faith (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:12). In contrast to the desires from our sin nature, the Holy Spirit’s desires make it impossible to fulfill the cravings from the flesh when we are governing our lives by them (Galatians 5:16). Before being obedient to the gospel for salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), we walked according to the desires of the flesh (Ephesians 2:3), governing our lives by the immoral yearnings of the nations who follow after a flood of debauchery (1 Peter 4:3) because they reject God (Romans 1:24). Now we are to put off this former conduct of our old man, who grows corrupt by deceitful desires (Ephesians 4:22), by living out who we are in Christ. This will separate us from these types of depraved activities because we are seeking to fulfill the desires from the Spirit (Colossians 3:5), and His desires do not mix with those from the flesh. The sin nature resides in the flesh and its desires wage war on the soul, our emotions (1 Peter 2:11); therefore, we are not to make any provisions for the desires of the flesh (Romans 13:14).
Desires impact every aspect of our lives. Every activity in our life first starts with a desire. We sin because we are first tempted by being baited and drawn out by desires. These desires then work out sin if we do not take the way of escape provided by God (James 1:14-15). However, the desires that enter our mind are not sin, for sin is always exterior to the body (1 Corinthians 6:18). Sin is the result of a bad desire when the determination to fulfill the desire is fulfilled (James 1:15). The desires from the flesh are deceitful and corrupt. The desires from Satan seek independence from God. The desires from the world system involve the pride of biological life (where you came from or what color you are) and the desires of the flesh and eyes and are constantly passing away. However, the desirous will of God does not change and those who follow His desires will not be tossed around by every wind of teaching by the trickery of men or the manipulative desires from our sin nature. Therefore, let us pay attention to the desires we have, reject those that do not line up with who we are in Christ, and focus on knowing and doing God’s desirous will in our lives.
Knowing the desirous will of God Being Thankful
1 Thessalonians 5:18 in everything give thanks for this is the desirous will of God in Christ Jesus unto you.
Thankfulness is an attitude of gratitude due to a favorable disposition towards someone. Within the Christian life, thankfulness comes from being filled by the Holy Spirit, while speaking psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to yourself, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, which results in giving thanks in all things to God (Ephesians 5:18-20).
Because humans were not thankful, did not have a favorable opinion of God, even during a time when they all knew God, we see the impact today of the mind turning to futility with theories that are preposterous being presented as factual, such as evolution and false religions, along with the rejection of truth in every aspect of life. These all come from a lack of appreciation for what God provided for them (Romans 1:21). In the same way, when we are not seeking to fulfill the desires of the Spirit, we forget to be thankful for what God provides for us and lose sight of the fact that we have been washed from our sins while going back to wallowing in the filth of the old man like a dog returning to its vomit (2 Peter 1:9; 2:22).
It is a thankful thing that even though we still have a sin nature, that will manipulate us into doing wrong if we seek to live by law, because we live out from faith we have freedom from it in Christ and therefore with the mind we serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of the sin nature (Romans 7:25). Now there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1) and when we walk by the Spirit, we fulfill the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus that frees us from bondage to sin (Romans 8:4). We live by grace through faith, which makes the sin nature ineffective because it cannot work out what it desires (Galatians 5:17-18). Even though we struggle, we are able to overcome sin in our lives because of what God has done for us in salvation and understanding this will result in an expression of gratitude because of the favorable disposition we have towards God so that we are thankful in all things and for all things.
We see a proper attitude towards troubles in our lives through our Lord Jesus, for on the night in which He was betrayed, knowing what was coming, He gave thanks to God and left us a remembrance of Him in what we refer to as communion (1 Corinthians 11:24). Why would He be thankful in this situation? It was because of His favorable attitude towards God the Father, Whom He knew would keep His Word and save Him from death (Hebrews 5:7).
Since thankfulness is rooted in being Spiritual, when we lack a favorable temperament, it is because our mind is not focused on the truth, and we are not seeking to fulfill the desirous will of God in our lives. The reason we would seek God’s will over ours is because all things work for good for those who are loving God, for He wants us to be happy (Romans 8:28) and producing righteousness so that our works are good. This is true even when being child-trained for our disobedience (Hebrews 12:10-11). Therefore, let us be thankful in all things and for all people, not looking at the situation we face, but at the promises that God has given us so that even through tribulation, sickness, disease, death, life, prosperity, happiness, or any other state we find ourselves in, we can truly be thankful because God will never leave us nor forsake us, and we are more than conquers through Him Who loves us (Romans 8:37; Hebrews 13:5).
Good (ἀγαθός)
Good is a word that describes activity that is beneficial, wholesome, and sufficient to be acceptable for its purpose. It is used to describe humans, trees, treasures, speaking, and most of all God.
Although humans can do good, only God is good (Luke 18:19), for goodness is an aspect of His nature. However, even though humans are not good by nature, we do know the difference between good and evil and can choose to produce good things in our lives rather than malignantly wicked things (Romans 2:15). The heart is the center of a human, where the person resides. It is within here that we will store up good treasures to use later, or malignantly evil ones to use against others (Matthew 12:35). What we allow to remain in our minds and within our hearts directly impacts our actions; therefore, our weapons are not fleshly, but are mighty in God for the pulling down of those strongholds within us that raise themselves up against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10:4-6), by which we destroy the evil treasures, so our storehouse is filled with good.
Although the law is good, we do not live by it because through it is the full experiential knowledge of the sin nature (Romans 7:12-13) and rather than giving us victory over it, it becomes the sin natures strength against us (1 Corinthians 15:56). Trying to do good by law leads us into frustration and the realization that within our flesh no good dwells, for as soon as we desire to do good, we find that we lack the ability to do it through our flesh (Romans 7:18-19), and we end up doing things that lack in character, which we do not want to do. However, we are to do good in every aspect of our lives (1 Peter 2:15-16). This is done by getting our minds in the right place and seeking to fulfill the desires from the Spirit resulting in rejecting a worldly view and the desires from the flesh (Colossians 3:1-2) so our actions are beneficial, not by using law, but by living out from faith.
Because God is the only one that is good by nature, to manifest true goodness we need to mimic God (Ephesians 5:1; 3 John 11). To imitate God, we have to use the fruit of the Spirit, for we are not able to produce a character that has God’s quality of life apart from who we are in Christ through the filling of the Spirit which makes it possible for us to manifest the life of Christ in us (John 15:4; Colossians 1:27).
We are not to allow wrong (that which lacks in character) to overcome good by repaying wrong for wrong, but rather we are to give thought to what is proper and whenever possible live peaceably (Romans 12:17-18), while abhorring evil and clinging to what is good (Romans 12:9). We will be rewarded for what good or bad we do in this life (2 Corinthians 5:10); therefore, we should be careful what we allow within our lives to influence us. This includes what we speak, for nothing rotten should come out of our mouths, but only that which is beneficial and gives grace to the hearers (Ephesians 4:29).
When it comes to good works, God has not only prepared them beforehand for us to walk in (Ephesians 2:1), but also supplies what we need to perform them (2 Corinthians 9:8); therefore, let us take every opportunity to do good, especially to those of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10), for our commandment is to love other Christians as Christ loved us (John 13:34) and by this love for each other all will know that we are disciples of Christ (John 13:35). How we treat other saints is important, especially those who are weak in the faith regarding food or drink. For we do not want our good to be blasphemed because of eating and drinking (Romans 14:16-17). Love is kind, seeks the best for the one loved, rejoices in truth, and never falls, therefore love will only produce that which is good.
Good is doing that which is beneficial. It is not actions that are focused on making a person feel good, but ones that are sufficient to be beneficial according to the situation. Therefore, let us be wise in how we do good so that we overcome that which is wrong, being fruitful in every good work while increasing in the full experiential knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10).
A Gift for Favor
The gift [is] a favorable stone in [the] eyes of its owners, unto all which it turns it causes to be prudent. Proverbs 17:8
So-had (שֹׁחַד) is a gift that is given for the purpose of bringing favor. Although not specifically a bribe, it can be used to gain favor in an illicit way and is prohibited under the Mosaic law for being used in this manner (Deuteronomy 16:19); however, when used correctly the result will be a favorable attitude towards the one giving the gift. It is the one who walks righteously and speaks with equity while shutting up bribery that will see God (Isaiah 33:15), where a wicked man accepts a gift to pervert the way of justice (Proverbs 17:23).
We see this type of favorable gift being given in negotiations (1 Kings 15:19), which is not meant as a bribe, but to bring favor. When used this way, it will cause the one receiving it to be wise in handling practical matters while exercising good judgment related to the circumstances bringing about the gift.
The negative side of giving is seen with one who uses money to gain favor. Such as with Ananias and Saphira giving a gift to the Apostles (Acts 4:37), Simon trying to bribe the Apostles into giving him the ability to give the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands (Acts 8:18-20), and Felix seeking a bribe from Paul to release him (Acts 24:26). However, when used properly this type of gift will result in a favorable attitude from the one receiving it. In business, when a shop is willing to offer free service, such as fixing a flat tire, the one receiving this generosity is far more likely to come back and spend money because of the favorable attitude the gift produces. Those who are honest with this type of gift still offer the best price for their services, but the one seeking to use this to up sale a customer are really just giving it as a bribe, which always ends in a dissatisfied and often angry customer.
This world is a malignantly evil place, but that does not mean we cannot walk in wisdom through it, redeeming the time and knowing the desirous will of God (Ephesians 5:17). Gifts should never be used to pervert justice, or manipulate people, but are of value in setting a positive frame of mind towards us. This aspect of giving can also be seen in being kind. Kindness is not a trait that humans intuitively seek to express, (There are none that do kindness – Romans 3:12); however, when we as Christians are using the fruit of the Spirit, God’s quality of kindness can be expressed through us, which puts others at ease (Galatians 5:22). So a gift is not just a tangible item, but a friendly disposition, a helping hand, and even a manifestation of kindness. Remember, it is the kindness of God that brings a change of the mind, not wrath (Romans 2:4).
Therefore, as the elect of God, let us put on kindness (Colossians 3:12) and be wise in the way we walk in this malignantly evil world, for we are children of the light and walk in the day, not as unbelievers in revelry, drunkenness, and lewdness according to their own lusts (Romans 13:13; 2 Peter 3:3) who use bribes to dishonestly gain. Gifts can be offered in a wise way for the purpose of gaining favor without becoming a bribe. For a gift can truly go a long way in subduing anger and producing prudence in the one receiving it.
Knowing the Desirous will of God – Using Your Spiritual Gift
We are not to be ignorant of Spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1). Each person who is placed into the body of the Christ is given a Spiritual gift that is to be used to edify the body (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:22-23). There are two specific areas in Scripture that state this is a single gift, along with basically the entire twelfth chapter of 1 Corinthians discussing the members of the body who are not the same as other members. In 1 Corinthians 12:11 Scripture states that the Spirit distributes to each an individual gift according to His determination.
But the One and same Spirit works all these things dividing each one individually just as He determines, 1 Corinthians 12:11
The Apostle Peter also discusses this gift, stating we each receive one and are to distribute it for the edification of the Church as stewards.
Each one just as he receives a gift unto himself also while serving as a proper steward the manifold grace of God, 1 Peter 4:10
The Holy Spirit is the One Who chooses which gift we receive, and God the father is the One who set each member within the body according to His desirous will.
1 Corinthians 12:18 But now the God set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desirously willed.
After the completion of the Scriptures, we are informed that the revelatory and confirmation gifts cease to be active, and now the focus is on the gifts that edify the Church.
Love never falls, but whether prophecies, they will be rendered ineffective, whether tongues, they will cause themselves to cease, whether knowledge, it will be rendered ineffective. For out from a part we experientially know and out from a part we prophecy, but when the complete thing (testimony of God – 1 Corinthians 2:1) comes, the out from a part is rendered ineffective, 1 Corinthians 13:8-10
Therefore, let us put aside foolishness related to Spiritual gifts. Especially concerning those gifts that are no longer active today. An aptitude test is not going to tell us what Spiritual gift we have, and we do not receive more than one. The only way we can identify it is to be among other Christians while keeping God’s commandment to the Church, which is for us to love other saints (John 13:34). This fellowship will naturally result in the gift manifesting itself as we seek to edify the Church. As for the gifts that are no longer active today, as Paul states to the Corinthian assembly, let us not seek to edify ourselves, but the members of the local assembly we are fellowshipping with (1 Corinthians 14:4) as ones who use the gift God has given to us, distributing it to the needs of the saints (1 Corinthians 14:12).
The active gifts today are Pastor even Teacher (Ephesians 4:11), Evangelist (Ephesians 4:11), Teacher (Romans 12:7), Administration (1 Corinthians 12:28), Organization (Romans 12:8), Helps (1 Corinthians 12:28), Serving (Romans 12:7), Mercies (Romans 12:8), Giving (Romans 12:8), Exhortation (Romans 12:8), and Faith (1 Corinthians 12:9). Each for the edification of the local assembly so that the whole body is knit together in love.
Knowing the Desirous Will of God – The Renewed Mind
As a result of the washing of regeneration and renewing from the Holy Spirit, we now possess a new mind. This renewed mind relates to the Spirit, not fleshly and earthly things; therefore, with this mind we are able to discern Spiritual things because we have a quality of the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:14-16). We are instructed in Romans 12 to stop outwardly conforming to this age. Paul is referring to the legal age and those who are putting on a mask of living under law. We live out from faith through grace, not through law, for law is not out from faith.
And stop being outwardly conformed to this age, but to be transformed by your renewed mind, for the purpose to test for approval what is the desirous will of God, the good and well pleasing and mature. – Romans 12:2
Renewing here is not a verb, therefore it is not an act of renewing, but a noun describing the mind. We now possess a renewed mind that, when used, will transform us in a way that enables us to put to the test any situation and identify what is acceptable for us to do according to God’s desirous will for us in all circumstances we face throughout our day.
Since we have a renewed mind, this week let us focus on using it. Starting each morning with setting our mind on the things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. These things involve who we are in Christ. Not by seeking to fulfill a set of rules that tell us what not to do, but rather by doing things that show who we are in Christ. Our commandments are to love other Christians (John 13:34) and abide (feel at ease) in Christ (John 15:1-8), which produces works in our lives that come from using the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), not from the flesh.
Taking the time to weigh our desires against who we are in Christ and choosing to reject those that do not line up with what God says about us will impact everything we do. When we identify desires that are not suitable, we are not to say no; rather, we need to reject them by looking for the desires that are appropriate and focus on doing them. Therefore, let us set our mind on things that relate to love as we seek the best for other saints, and joy as we express contentment with any situation we face, for even in persecution we can glorify God through our actions, while having an unruffled mind that withholds anger from unreasonable people, shows kindness, seeks to do what is beneficial, as we remain true to our word and keep our minds focused on the objective of living out God’s will not ours with self-control so that we take each step by the Spirit, not according to the desires of our flesh, for we are the children of God.