Desire Defined

Desire: A longing or craving for something that brings satisfaction or enjoyment.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Biblical Approach

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

(1 John 2:16)

Common DesiresTo be liked Disease and pain

freeFinancially stable Extend physical

lifeFamily and Children

Bring back a loved one

True love Job satisfaction

Marriage To be happy

A wayward child to come back to God

Satisfying sexual relationship with your spouse

Biblical Truths of Unmet Desires

1) Your unmet desires can lead to a war within your soul.

2) Even unmet neutral desires can lead directly to sinful behavior -if responded to in an unbiblical way.

Biblical Truth of Unmet Desires

3) Some neutral desires remain unmet even after asking God to meet those desires.

Reasons Our Desires Remain Unmet

1) You do not go to God with your desires.

2) When you do go to God, you go to him with sinful

motives

Examples of Sinful Motives

1) The desire itself is sinful making the motive also sinful.

2) The desire is neutral but it is not aligned with God’s will for you – yet you desire it anyway.

3) The desire is good, yet it remains unmet and you resent God for not granting it to you.

Unmet Desires Progression to Sin

1) The unmet desire becomes an unmet expectation.

2) The unmet expectation becomes a demand.

3) The unmet demand becomes an idol in your life.

Results of an Unmet Desire Progressing to an

Idol1) Damaging and destructive

feelings overwhelm you.2) These feelings lead to

damaging and destructive behaviors in your life.

3) These sinful behaviors lead to damaging and sometimes catastrophic consequences.

A Biblical Response to Unmet Desires

1) Confess your sinful desires as sinful and ask God to change your heart.

2) Submit your desires to the desires of God – acknowledge that his desires need to be your desires.

Biblical Response to Unmet Desires

3) Surrender the fulfillment of your unmet desires to God – ask God to help you!

4) Humble yourself before the Lord.