shortlady
Member
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2005
- Messages
- 2,696
Are your passions too strong or too weak?
Are your passions too strong or too weak? Most of us would say, "Too strong!" We think about all those carnal desires that war against our souls, and conclude that our passions are too strong and must be neutralized. We get caught up in the battle (almost always a losing battle) of fighting and suppressing these carnal desires. This is the sin-guilt-shame cycle where many good people spend most their lives. Is there a way out of this cycle? YES, but the answer may surprise you. I propose that you quit worrying about your sins for a while. Quit focusing on all your shortcomings. And most importantly, stop trying to suppress your passions and desires. Now, before you quit reading in shock and disbelief, hear me out a little. I am taking the approach that the reason we settle for all these earthly substitutes in an attempt to bring us pleasure and satisfaction, is because our true appetite for pleasure is truncated and deformed. If we truly understood and believed how good it is to be in intimate fellowship with our Heavenly Father, then these carnal passions would have no hold on us.
Our spiritual passions and desires for God can actually exceed our carnal desires for earthly substitutes. Psalm 37 tells us, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart". God created us for fellowship with Him, therefore we can state this creed, "The chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever". Wow, what a revolutionary thought - finding our deepest joy in knowing Him. How about no longer giving in to sin because you actually have no desire for it any more? What do you think about reaching your highest fulfillment in knowing God and making Him known? Why not replace the 'mud pies' this life has to offer with the true 'bread of life' that Jesus offers all who come to Him? God be with you as you wholeheartedly pursue Him...
Are your passions too strong or too weak? Most of us would say, "Too strong!" We think about all those carnal desires that war against our souls, and conclude that our passions are too strong and must be neutralized. We get caught up in the battle (almost always a losing battle) of fighting and suppressing these carnal desires. This is the sin-guilt-shame cycle where many good people spend most their lives. Is there a way out of this cycle? YES, but the answer may surprise you. I propose that you quit worrying about your sins for a while. Quit focusing on all your shortcomings. And most importantly, stop trying to suppress your passions and desires. Now, before you quit reading in shock and disbelief, hear me out a little. I am taking the approach that the reason we settle for all these earthly substitutes in an attempt to bring us pleasure and satisfaction, is because our true appetite for pleasure is truncated and deformed. If we truly understood and believed how good it is to be in intimate fellowship with our Heavenly Father, then these carnal passions would have no hold on us.
Our spiritual passions and desires for God can actually exceed our carnal desires for earthly substitutes. Psalm 37 tells us, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart". God created us for fellowship with Him, therefore we can state this creed, "The chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever". Wow, what a revolutionary thought - finding our deepest joy in knowing Him. How about no longer giving in to sin because you actually have no desire for it any more? What do you think about reaching your highest fulfillment in knowing God and making Him known? Why not replace the 'mud pies' this life has to offer with the true 'bread of life' that Jesus offers all who come to Him? God be with you as you wholeheartedly pursue Him...
