Desire is a fundamental part of the human experience. We all have wants, needs, and aspirations. However, desire can also lead us astray if it becomes distorted or misplaced. The Bible has much to say about properly ordered desire that brings life, versus disordered desire that leads to sin and death.
What does the Bible say about desire?
The Bible speaks often of desire using various terms like “longing,” “lust,” “passion,” and “craving.” God made us as emotional, desiring beings. Desire itself is not inherently sinful. But because of the Fall, our desires have become misaligned from their original created purpose. Now, instead of primarily desiring God and what honors Him, we get turned in on ourselves, seeking to fulfill misguided desires that often lead to personal harm and sin.
The tenth commandment says we should not covet anything that belongs to our neighbor (Exodus 20:17). Coveting is wrongfully desiring something God has not given us. James contrasts proper desire with covetous desire that stems from our own selfish passions (James 4:1-3). Covetous desire leads to fighting, quarrelling, and failing to receive from God because it is misaligned with His will.
In contrast, the Bible praises desire for things like wisdom, righteousness, and mercy (Proverbs 21:21, Matthew 5:6, Micah 6:8). God made us to rightly desire Him most of all. Augustine’s famous prayer captures this attitude: “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find rest in You.” Our longings for meaning and lasting fulfillment can only be satisfied in intimate relationship with our Creator.
Characteristics of biblical desire
What distinguishes healthy, biblical desire from the distorted kind? Here are a few key characteristics of properly ordered desire:
- Centered on God – Seeking to glorify Him, enjoy Him, and reflect His character (1 Corinthians 10:31).
- Conforms to God’s will – Aligns with His Word and His purposes for our lives (Psalm 40:8).
- Brings life – Results in blessing, fullness, and flourishing when fulfilled (John 10:10).
- Selfless – Focuses on serving others more than selfish aims (Philippians 2:3-4).
- Patient – Willing to wait on God’s timing and trust His wisdom (Psalm 27:14).
- Humble – Avoids demanding our own way orprivileging our desires over others (Philippians 2:3-4).
Biblical desire differs from forbidden covetousness because it starts with seeking God rather than seeking merely to fulfill our own ego. It submits to higher purposes while covetousness insists on its own way.
Examples of good and bad desire
Here are some biblical examples contrasting righteous desire versus sinful coveting:
David’s desire for Bathsheba
When David saw the beautiful Bathsheba bathing on a rooftop, he burned with lust and committed adultery with her (2 Samuel 11). This disordered desire stemmed from a covetous heart that rejected God’s law. It destroyed marriages and led to Bathsheba’s husband being killed. David’s sin highlights desire gone astray through self-gratification.
Desire for Jesus
After interacting with Jesus, the Samaritan woman at the well felt a new stirring to know Him more. She left her water jar, went into town and told the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” (John 4:29). The woman’s desire drove her to introduce others to Jesus. It was marked by awe of Him, not a coveting of what He could give her.
Paul’s passion for the gospel
Paul experienced intense longing to see the gospel advance and Christ formed in new believers. He wrote, “I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). For Paul, bringing people to salvation fulfilled his highest desire, even amid suffering. His coveting was for the things of God, not selfish gain.
Desire for wisdom
Solomon prayerfully pleaded with God for wisdom to lead Israel, and God blessed Him for asking for the right things (1 Kings 3:5-14). Desiring wisdom is fundamentally different than coveting power, pleasure, or possessions. It starts with seeking God’s heart rather than seeking simply to benefit oneself.
Dealing with misguided desire
Since our hearts are prone to covetousness in this fallen world, how can we turn from disordered desire toward desire for godly things? Here are some practical tips:
- Repent and ask God to realign your wants with His will.
- Fill your mind with Scripture to wash away unwholesome cravings.
- Pray for desired things only if God clearly blesses them.
- Make a habit of giving thanks to defuse grasping attitudes.
- Serve others generously to get your mind off yourself.
- Confess coveting as sin to a trusted friend or mentor.
As James instructs, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you” (James 4:7-8). Drawing close to God is the antidote to covetous desire.
Conclusion
Desire itself is not wrong, but our desiring goes astray when it centers on gratifying self rather than honoring God. Covetous craving leads to sin and disappointment, while godly desire leads to purpose and life. As disciples of Jesus, we long most of all for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. When this becomes our deepest desire, lesser covetousness loses its grip over us.