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Evil Desires
Sermonette byAll the medieval 'seven deadly sins' could be categorized as a facet of lust. God designed us to have proper desires, just as His desires are always proper.
Achieving the Desires of Our Hearts
Sermonette by David F. MaasGod's promise to give us the desires of our heart is contingent upon delighting ourselves in Him, changing our hearts to be in alignment with His attributes.
Concupiscence
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughConcupiscence, an archaic term derived from a Latin verb meaning to yearn or long for, encompasses strong, often ungodly desires. While modern definitions may lean toward sexual connotations, its historical use in the King James Version of the Bible, as seen in Romans 7:8, Colossians 3:5, and I Thessalonians 4:5, reveals a broader scope of wrong desires. In Romans 7:8, sin is described as producing all manner of concupiscence, indicating not just sexual longing but every kind of evil desire. Similarly, in Colossians 3:5, it appears in a list progressing from physical sin to its abstract roots, suggesting that evil concupiscence includes more than sexual desire, pointing to a deep-seated covetousness and idolatry. The underlying Greek word, epithymia (Strong's 1939), translates to earnest desire, often for forbidden things, as exemplified in the Garden of Eden where Adam and Eve's craving for the prohibited fruit led to sin. This ungodly desire, termed by the apostle John as the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life in I John 2:16, encapsulates the lust of the world, which is transient. God calls us to reverse this process, turning from worldly, carnal desires to spiritual, godly pursuits, resisting temptation and seeking Him to overcome these selfish longings.
The Tenth Commandment
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsCovetousness is an insatiable desire for worldly gain, and most sin originates there. Wanting something is not wrong, whether a spouse, a house, or a car, unless it belongs to a neighbor and is taken in an unfair or dishonest way. When desire conceives, it gives birth to sin and can lead to breaking any of the commandments. Uncontrolled lust for power, land, and wealth drives wars and fights, and can drive men to murder. No one is immune. Anything sought contrary to God's will is coveted, and what a person lusts after becomes an idol he serves. Lust is bound up with pride and vanity. A man who amasses possessions feels falsely secure and superior, yet covetousness is never satisfied. It produces theft, lying, murder, harmful lusts, apostasy, sorrow, and finally death. It can cost a person the Kingdom of God, and ministers are held to an even higher standard. Life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. Godliness with contentment is great gain, so believers seek first God's Kingdom and righteousness. The tenth commandment governs the mind and heart, requiring that thoughts be purified. Selfish desire is overcome only through God's Spirit and by presenting ourselves as instruments of righteousness, hating covetousness, being content, and imitating God, who is a Giver.
The Tenth Commandment (1998)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughOne commentator said all public crime would cease if this one law was kept. Another said every sin against one's neighbor springs from breaking this commandment.
Are All Forms of Gambling or Games of Chance Sin?
Bible Questions & AnswersAny activity that is based upon covetousness is sin. A Christian should not desire to increase his own wealth by depriving someone else.
The Tenth Commandment
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Coveting begins as a desire. Human nature cannot be satisfied, nothing physical can satisfy covetousness, and joy does not derive from materialism.
Thou Shall Not Covet
Sermon by John O. ReidBecause virtually every sin begins as a desire in the mind, the command against coveting (lustful cravings) could be the key to keeping the other commandments.
Covetousness
Sermonette by Martin G. CollinsCovetousness—wanting something with a deep, greedy, envious burning—has reached epidemic proportions. Covetousness is also idolatry.
God's Rest (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughCoveting—lust—is a fountainhead of many other sins. Desiring things is not wrong, but desiring someone else's things promotes overtly sinful behavior.
The Commandments (Part Nineteen)
Sermon/Bible Study byJesus taught that all outward sin stems from inner inordinate desire. What we desire or lust after automatically becomes our idol.
The Second Commandment
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughMost people consider the second commandment to deal with making or falling down before a pagan idol, but it covers all aspects of the way we worship.
The Philosophy of Black Friday
Sermonette byBlack Friday stirs up greedy, materialistic, covetous attitudes. When a nation reaches a materialistic mindset, it is on its way to oblivion.
The Thinking Mind
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIn the current toxic culture, we have been warned not to be conformed to the world, but to become transformed into the glorious likeness of Christ.
The Great Flood (Part Three)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGenesis 6:1-4 summarize what led to God's rejection of the pre-flood civilization: men chose wives solely on the basis of sex appeal and external beauty.
Spiritual Satisfaction
Sermonette byThe Parable of the Rich Fool illustrates that, when one has all the material possessions he could want, he may still not be rich toward God.
Light of the Body
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamIf we take their focus off the genuine Light of the World (John 8:12), we run the risk of being blinded by the lusts of the world and the pulls of the flesh.
God's Rest (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLust begets a guilty conscience, agitation, anxiety, depression, grief, torment. Wrong desire leads to lying, adultery, and murder—eventually leading to death.
Prosperity's Consequences
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsProsperity is not always an emblem of God's approval. God will not prosper us if it would cause spiritual damage, insulating us from seeking His kingdom.
Do You Take Sin Seriously? God Does!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe demise of an institution can result from the irresponsibility of its constituents; if one member sins, the whole body experiences the effects.
The Leaven of Double-Mindedness
CGG Weekly by Joshua MontgomeryChristians must deal with double-mindedness because the flesh and spirit contend for our hearts. We overcome it by being of one mind with Christ.
The Commandments (Part Three)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIdolatry derives from worshiping the work of our hands or thoughts rather than the true God. Whatever consumes our thoughts and behavior has become our idol.