“For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.”
lusts
“Lusts” means to strongly desire to have what belongs to someone else, to covet. The word means passionate desire of any kind. When we direct our inner drive toward something outside the will of God, we live for a different purpose than the plan of God.
Before becoming Christians, we gave our thought life over to vile thinking, not only to sexual sins but to bitterness, rivalry, and many other mental attitude sins. Lusts cover many categories: power, approbation, or money lusts. These things are equally the lusts of the flesh (Rom. 13:14; Gal. 5:16, 24; Eph. 2:3; 2 Pet. 2:18; 1 John 2:16).
“Lusts” also describe the orientation of the soul, the natural tendency towards things evil. However, such lusts are not necessarily base or immoral because they may be refined in character.
PRINCIPLE:
People who gratify their lust patterns do not develop toughness of soul when the trial comes.
APPLICATION:
When we live to gratify lusts, we will not develop toughness of soul. When suffering comes, we will fall apart.
Using the passages below, evaluate your thought life.
“I have not coveted anyone’s silver, gold, or clothing” (Ac 20:33)
“Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully” (Mt 5:28)
“Many foolish desires” (1 Tim 6:9)
“Youthful desires” (2 Tim 2:2)
“The former desires when you were ignorant” (1 Pe 1:14)
“Do not gratify the desires of the body” (Gal 5.16)
