Scripture

James 1:14-15 NLT

Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

Consider

Not all desires are evil. God wired our bodies and brains to tell us what we need—food, shelter, sex, sleep. Our hearts also alert us to legitimate needs for companionship, communion with God, reassurance that we matter, a sense of purpose. God works with our desires to teach us to trust in his love for us and reassure us of his faithfulness as we depend on him.

Our desires turn evil when we start believing lies about what we need and how to find satisfaction. These lies twist our desires into hooks that snare our attention and drag us away from dependence on God. Evil desires lead us to sin against God, against ourselves, and against one another.

For example, let’s examine my sinful behavior of gossiping about my coworker. If I look hard enough, I might discover that I envy her skills and popularity, and this envy goads me into wanting to discredit her (evil desire) through gossip (sinful behavior). Why? Because my legitimate need to feel valued has been distorted by particular lies.

Lies I Believe:

• The fact that she has skills that I don’t makes her more valuable than I am.
• Her success diminishes me; I must stop her before she takes away more.
• It’s not fair that she has more talent than I do, and life is supposed to be fair.
• God says he loves me, but if that were true, I would be more successful than I am.
• I know my worth only by comparing myself with others.

It’s easy to imagine how my evil desire to discredit my coworker can escalate into ugly confrontations and deep bitterness, all because of lies I’ve allowed myself to believe.

If you find yourself caught in the desire to act sinfully against someone, look for the hook that’s goading you. What is your legitimate desire, and what is the lie that’s twisting this desire into evil?  Chances are good that this lie is hurting you in more than one relationship. Ask God for wisdom and courage to debunk the lie and cleanse you from its corrupting effects.

Pray

O Lord, some lies have been with me for so long that they feel like truth. I need your wisdom to expose these lies and realize their crippling influence. Shine your truth into my life and cleanse my heart from evil desires. Thank you for your steadfast goodness that always leads me back to the right path.

Reflect

Psalm 145:15-16; John 8:44; James 4:1

Ponder

What lies have caused relationship troubles for me? What are my legitimate needs these lies have twisted into hooks?