We've been taught to mistrust something God himself has given us: desire. All desire.
Here are some common assumptions Christians have often made about their desires and passions, and those assumptions have actually prevented Christians from discovering God's will:
- Your desires will get you into trouble.
- Your desires are inherently selfish.
- Your desires are naturally in opposition to God's will.
We love to quote James 1:14
...but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
No where in this passage does Scripture say that all desire is bad. In fact, in other places, God actually endorses our desires:
May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed...May the Lord grant all your requests. - Psalm 20:4
You have granted him the desire of his heart and have not withheld the request of his lips. - Psalm 21:2
In fact, Jesus' work in the blind beggar's life started with, "What do you want me to do for you?" - Matt. 20:32
Let's be clear: There are desires of the flesh that can lead us into trouble; and there are whispers from the dark that can entice us. But the desires of our new heart are good and noble. As God redeemed our heart, so did he redeem the deep desires of our heart.
Try this: Allow Jesus to ask you, "What do you want me to do for you?" What if Jesus is trying to "entice" you with a brand new set of appetites and desires he's already placed within your heart?
Jim Robbins