THE NATURE OF PERSONAL DESIRES.
In the case of Adam
and Eve, their desire for knowledge and wisdom led them to disobey God's
command. Satan' convinced by lies that God was withholding something good from
them. This desire for autonomy and self-determination ultimately led to their downfall,
although they had everything.
This story shows that desires
can be bad when we do not control them. Adam and Eve's desire for power and
knowledge led them to sin, and it had big consequences. God sent Adam and Eve
out of the Garden of Eden, consequently resulting in suffering and pain entering
the world.
Conflict and quarrels.
James 4:1-3 tells us that
conflicts and quarrels arise from desires that battle within us. When we do not
align our desires with God's will, it can lead to chaos and destruction.
Self-interest over God’s will.
One of the problems with unchecked desires is that they can lead us to prioritise our interests over God's will. When we desire something so strongly, we willingly disobey God to get it, we put our desires above God's will. This leads to sin and suffering.
SELF-CONTROL: A CHECK OF UNCONTROLLED DESIRES
How can we avoid the dangers
of uncontrolled personal desires? The answer is self-control. Self-control is
the ability to control our thoughts, feelings, and actions. It is the ability
to say no to things that are bad for us and yes to good things.
In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27,
Paul writes about the importance of self-control in our lives. He says that we
need to discipline ourselves to achieve our goals and live a life that honours
God.
HOW CAN WE DEVELOP SELF-CONTROL?
Take charge of the influences around you. The people we surround ourselves with and the things we watch and read can influence our desires. Let us surround ourselves with good influences that will encourage us to live a life that honours God.
Practice self-discipline. Self-discipline is important for developing self-control. We need to discipline ourselves to do what is right and avoid what is wrong.
Pray for self-control: We can ask God to help us control our desires and make choices that align with His will.
4. Read the Bible. The Bible teaches us about
the will of God and how to honour Him. When we read the Bible, we learn what
God wants us to do and what He does not want.
NEVERTHELESS, WHY NEED SELF-CONTROL?
When we develop self-control, we will experience many benefits. We will have peace, joy, and contentment. We will also be able to live a life that reflects God's love and grace.
Finally, Personal desires are a natural part of being human. They can be good or bad, depending on what we desire and why. By developing self-control, we can avoid the dangers of unchecked desires and live a life that honours God. Let us seek to live a life that reflects God's love and grace, and let us encourage each other to do the same.
Take the challenges
1. What are some desires
that may be leading you astray?
2. How can you develop
self-control in your life?
3. What are some good influences that can help you live a life that honours God?
Let us take some time to reflect on these questions and seek God's guidance in our lives. May we learn to control our desires and live a life that honours God?
Ayella John Bosco
Nimule
