Our premise is a simple one: At the center of worldly lusts is a heart that is selfish. In 1862 Emily Dickinson wrote a phrase that is familiar to most, “The heart wants what it wants…” Her context applied to the idea to romance, but there is truth to the saying no matter the subject of such desire.
This is what lust is. It is strong desire. It is lust because the desire is for the illicit. I want what I do not have a right to obtain, but I want it anyway. And so, I pursue it. This is the basis for sexual immorality as demonstrated by David in 2 Samuel 11. It is the basis for all types of moral sins.
I came across a silly question recently. “If money is the root of all evil, why do churches ask for it?” The question showed ignorance as the actual quote is: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10). The simple truth? The heart wants what it wants (money), so greed, graft, fraud, pilfering, covetousness, etc. result.
This is true with all kinds of sin. It all comes from a selfish desire for what I want. It’s all about me. It is selfish, arrogant pride that causes a person to mistreat others, and neglect God, because the heart wants what it wants.
The cure? Submit your desires to God! Resist the enticements of the devil! Draw near to God! Be selfless! As James wrote, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10).
