Understanding Your Desires
God commands us in Deuteronomy 5:21 that we are not to covet people nor things that belong to another person. God commands us not to desire another's blessings. God commands that we are not to be jealous of another and wish to take from them to add to ourselves. When we do this, it is evidence of our fallen sinful selfish nature. So to keep ourselves in check we need to understand our desires.
Why do you want the things that you want? Is it for the benefit of yourself or for others? Can what you desire be equally good for all? These are great questions to ask yourself before making decisions. However, if you stopped and thought through each decision you were making throughout the day, you would become bogged down and may not be able to be active in what you are called to do for yourself, others and God.
The key in understanding our desires and whether they are righteous or selfish is to go to God and ask Him to examine your heart and reveal to you the answer. When you think about doing this, does it cause you to squirm a little? Maybe it is because you already know the answer He will give. His Holy Spirit is active in your mind and is answering your questions before you even ask.
Is it good that you are seeking good health? Yes, God has given us our bodies and we need to care for them in order to do His work. Is it good that deep inside you want to wear spandex everywhere to show off your new super fit body after God removes your excess weight?! Uh, no.
The heart of the matter is your heart. What are your desires and why? Take some time today and go to God through prayer and listen to the Holy Spirit. He is jealous for your well-being and wants all the best for you. As we spend time with God we will be transformed in our thinking and in our desires.
GOD IS JEALOUS FOR HIS PEOPLE
God's complete love and desire for His people produces a righteous jealousy. God is not lacking or needing anyone or anything. He does not covet people or possessions for His own personal satisfaction. Instead, God's jealousy is produced as He knows all and is perfect in His judgment that determines what is best for HIs people.
God knows that His people will be completely blessed with their complete worship of Himself. God's people will be at peace and desire nothing outside of God when they are completely devoted to Him. God is the Creator and Provider of all that is good and holy and He is jealous for His people. God is a loving Father Who wants the best for His children.
Exodus 20:4-6 NIV
You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth below or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.
Exodus 34:14 NIV
Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
Deuteronomy 4:23-24 NIV
Be care not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that He made with you, do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the Lord your God has forbidden. For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
Zechariah 8:2 NIV
This is what the Lord Almighty says: "I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her."
