The Meaning of Desires: Cravings That Shape Our Choices

What Are Desires in the Bible?

In Scripture, desires are portrayed as the inner longings that direct human affections toward either divine or worldly ends.

The Bible distinguishes between desires aligned with God’s will - such as longing for righteousness (Matthew 5:6) - and those rooted in 'the desires of the flesh' (Galatians 5:16), which oppose spiritual growth. 1 John 2:15-17 explicitly warns against loving 'the world' and its transient pleasures, contrasting this with the enduring value of 'doing the will of God.' This passage frames desires as a choice between temporal satisfactions and eternal devotion.

Such distinctions highlight the moral and spiritual weight of desires, urging believers to examine what they truly crave. This sets the stage for exploring how Scripture guides the cultivation of godly longings.

The Biblical Warning Against Worldly Desires

In 1 John 2:15-17, the apostle John issues a clear warning about the dangers of aligning one’s desires with the temporal values of the world.

The passage states, 'Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him' (1 John 2:15). John specifies that 'the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life' - worldly cravings for sensory pleasure, material gain, and self-glory - originate not from God but from the transient order that will pass away (1 John 2:16-17). These desires, though often socially normalized, are framed as incompatible with the eternal priorities of those 'born of God,' whose true home lies in the enduring reality of His will. The contrast underscores a fundamental theological principle: what is fleeting cannot coexist with what is eternal.

By labeling such desires as 'not from the Father,' John highlights their spiritual dissonance with the character of God, whose purposes transcend temporal systems. Believers are thus called to a disciplined discernment, recognizing that devotion to worldly pleasures undermines the transformative work of divine love. This warning sets the stage for examining how Scripture guides the cultivation of desires that honor God's unchanging truth.

Transforming Desires Through Christ

Scripture says Christ reshapes our inner desires to match God's eternal purposes.

Philippians 2:13 affirms that God ‘works in [believers] both to will and to work for His good pleasure,’ indicating that Christ’s redemptive work reshapes not only actions but the very desires that motivate them. Colossians 3:1-2 instructs believers to ‘set your minds on things that are above, where Christ is,’ emphasizing that renewed desires are rooted in the reality of resurrection life. The Holy Spirit changes us fundamentally, not just morally, by shifting our focus to spiritual realities instead of temporary ones.

The Holy Spirit plays an essential role in this reformation, as Christ’s followers are ‘led by the Spirit’ (Galatians 5:18) into a life where the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ - love, joy, peace - becomes the object of their deepest cravings. This inner renewal, as Colossians 3:10 describes, creates a ‘new self’ being ‘renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator,’ reflecting a shift from self-centered to God-centered longing. Such transformation, however, unfolds gradually, requiring intentional focus on heavenly priorities as believers are ‘transformed by the renewal of [their] mind’ (Romans 12:2). This ongoing work of the Spirit underscores the biblical vision of sanctification as a journey of aligning earthly desires with the unchanging values of God’s kingdom, preparing the way for a discussion on the practical implications of this reorientation in daily life.

Why Desires Matter Today

The biblical reorientation of desires holds urgent relevance in a world where consumerist values often eclipse spiritual priorities.

Modern believers face constant pressure to equate fulfillment with material acquisition or status, risks that align with John’s warning against ‘the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes’ (1 John 2:16). Unexamined desires can subtly redirect worship from God to transient pleasures, stalling spiritual growth by prioritizing comfort over holiness and validation over obedience.

Discerning healthy from harmful desires requires grounding longings in Christ’s redemptive work, as Philippians 2:13 affirms God’s power to ‘work in us both to will and to work for His good pleasure.’ By fixing our minds on ‘things above’ (Colossians 3:1-2), believers cultivate desires that honor God’s eternal purposes, preparing the way for practical strategies to align hearts with His will.

Going Deeper

To deepen your understanding of desires, consider how the new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) reshapes our innermost longings, replacing worldly cravings with eternal priorities.

Exploring 1 Corinthians 2:16 - 'We have the mind of Christ' - can illuminate how aligning our desires with His will transforms our choices. Reflect on how these themes connect to your own heart's inclinations and growth in faith.