by Brother Mark Johnson
The word lust comes from the Greek word epithymeo which means desire, to long for to covet. In the context of sexual desires, lust is found once in the Scriptures in I Thessalonians 4:3-5 which says “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor; not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God.” The other 54 times, it pertains to the aforementioned definition. Saints of God, we need to be mindful of the fact that lust is not always associated with sexual desires.
As humans we are full of desires. This is how God created us. Therefore our desires are not evil; for everything that God created was good (Genesis 1:31). The desires for freedom, love and affection, sex, security, stability, and success, just to name a few, are built into our DNA. However when our desires become more important than the will of God, and when God is not number one in our hearts, they become evil. Sex outside of the proper context of marriage is fornication or adultery, and both are sin. Sex within the context of marriage fulfills our purpose (the will of God) of being in the plan of God. If we are not careful, our desires can become gods. Please listen to the gravity of this truth. Everyone has a purpose. Our desires are a roadmap to lead us into our created purpose and can only be fulfilled in God. Seek the Lord, cry out to him. Our Lord Jesus Christ did not shed his blood so that we can fulfill the desires or lusts of our flesh.