Lust Addictions in the Life of a Believer
Lust, understood as sinful longing, is an inward sin that can lead individuals away from God [3]. The apostle Peter exhorts believers to live differently from those who indulge in "wantonness, lusts, drunkenness, in gluttony, drinkings, and in abominable idolatries" [1]. This call to abstain from such behaviors is a characteristic of those who are "obedient children" of God [12].
The concept of lust is not limited to sexual desire, though it is often associated with it [11]. It can encompass various objects of desire [3]. For instance, gluttony, identified as an inconsistency in saints, is linked to carnal security and can lead to poverty [4]. The apostle Paul, in Titus 2:11-14, addresses "worldly lusts" as significant obstacles to true worship, alongside ungodliness [7]. John Chrysostom emphasizes "denying ungodliness and worldly lusts," viewing them as idols that believers must turn from with the same resolution they turned from literal idols [8].
Augustine discusses concupiscence, or the disease of desire, in the context of marriage, noting that it is not a matter of will but of necessity, and believers should strive to possess their bodies in sanctification and honor, "not in the disease of desire, even as the Gentiles" [6]. He also distinguishes between passing desires and immoderate desires that take up residence in a person, as illustrated by King David's transgression compared to his son Solomon's [9].
The New Testament contrasts the origin of sin, which arises from lust, with the spiritual begetting of believers by God's will through the "word of truth" [10]. The eyes are often presented as an avenue for lust, but the heart is considered the fountainhead [13]. While believers are called to deny worldly lusts, John Calvin notes that even "children of God" may indulge in the lusts of the flesh before their effectual calling, and that divine vengeance can deter open outbreaks, training them for righteousness [5]. The goal for believers is the "salvation of your souls" [2].
Sources
- I Peter “I Peter 4:3 (Geneva1599) — For it is sufficient for vs that we haue spet the time past of ye life, after the lust of the Gentiles, walking in wantonnes, lustes, drunkennes, in gluttonie, drinkings, and in abominable idolatries.”
- I Peter “I Peter 1:9 (LITV) — obtaining the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Lust — Sinful longing; the inward sin which leads to the falling away from God (Rom. 1:21). "Lust, the origin of sin, has its place in the heart, not of necessity, but because it is the centre of all moral forces and impulses and of spiritual activity." In Mark 4:19 "lusts" are objects of desire.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gluttony — Christ was falsely accused of -- Mt 11:19. The wicked addicted to -- Php 3:19; Jude 1:12. Leads to Carnal security. -- Isa 22:13; 1Co 15:32; Lu 12:19. Poverty. -- Pr 23:21. Of princes, ruinous to their people -- Ec 10:16,17. Is inconsistent in saints -- 1Pe 4:3. Caution against -- Pr 23:2,3; Lu 21:34; Ro 13:13,14. Pray against temptations to -- Ps 141:4. Punishment of -- Nu 11:33,34; Ps 78:31; De 21:21; Am 6:4,7. Danger of, illustrated -- Lu 12:45,46. Exemplified Esau. -- Ge 25:30-34; Heb 12:16,17. Israel. -- Nu 11:4; Ps 78:18. Sons of Eli. -- 1Sa 2:12-17.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 43: this tuition is not without its use, even to the children of God, who, previous to their effectual calling, being destitute of the Spirit of holiness, freely indulge the lusts of the flesh. When, by the fear of Divine vengeance, they are deterred from open outbreakings, though, from not being subdued in mind, they profit little at present, still they are in some measure trained to bear the yoke of righteousness, so that when they are called, they are not like mere novices, studying a discipline of which previously they had no knowl”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 5: Augustine — Anti-Pelagian — CHAP. 9 [VIII.]--THIS DISEASE OF CONCUPISCENCE IN MARRIAGE IS NOT TO BE A MATTER OF WILL, BUT OF NECESSITY; WHAT OUGHT TO BE THE WILL OF BELIEVERS IN THE USE OF MATRIMONY; WHO IS TO BE REGARDED AS USI (part 1): This disease of concupiscence is what the apostle refers to, when, speaking to married believers, he says: "This is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; not in the disease of desire, even as the Gentiles which k”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 62: and the glorious appearance of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works,” ( Tit. 2:11-14 ). After holding forth the grace of God to animate us, and pave the way for His true worship, he removes the two greatest obstacles which stand in the way—viz. ungodliness, to which we are by nature too prone, and worldly lusts, which are of still greater extent. Under ungodliness , he includes not merely superst”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: for there are two; the first of grace, the second of retribution and justice. “That denying ungodliness,” he says, “and worldly lusts.” See here the foundation of all virtue. He has not said “avoiding,” but “denying.” Denying implies the greatest distance, the greatest hatred and aversion. With as much resolution and zeal as they turned from idols, with so much let them turn from vice itself, and worldly lusts. For these too are idols, that is, worldly lusts, and covetousness, and this he names idolatry. Whatever things are usefu”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 21.--DAVID NOT LUSTFUL, THOUGH HE (part 2): And hence we may understand with what temperance he possessed a number of wives when he was forced to punish himself for transgressing in regard to one woman. But in his case the immoderate desire did not take up its abode with him, but was only a passing guest. On this account the unlawful appetite is called even by the accusing prophet, a guest. For he did not say that he took the poor man's ewe-lamb to make a feast for his king, but for his guest. In the case of his son Solomon, howe”
- James (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on James 1:18: (Joh 1:13). The believer's regeneration is the highest example of nothing but good proceeding from God. Of his own will--Of his own good pleasure (which shows that it is God's essential nature to do good, not evil), not induced by any external cause. begat he us--spiritually: a once-for-all accomplished act (Pe1 1:3, Pe1 1:23). In contrast to "lust when it hath conceived, bringeth forth sin, and sin . . . death" (Jam 1:15). Life follows naturally in connection with light (Jam 1:17). word of truth--the Gospel. The objective mean, as faith is the ap”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 16.--OF THE EVIL OF LUST,--A WORD WHICH, THOUGH APPLICABLE TO MANY VICES, IS SPECIALLY APPROPRIATED TO SEXUAL UNCLEANNESS: Although, therefore, lust may have many objects, yet when no object is specified, the word lust usually suggests to the mind the lustful excitement of the organs of generation. And this lust not only takes possession of the whole body and outward members, but also makes itself felt within, and moves the whole man with a passion in which mental emotion is mingled with bodily appetite, so that the pleasure whic”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 1:14: From sobriety of spirit and endurance of hope Peter passes to obedience, holiness, and reverential fear. As--marking their present actual character as "born again" (Pe1 1:3, Pe1 1:22). obedient children--Greek, "children of obedience": children to whom obedience is their characteristic and ruling nature, as a child is of the same nature as the mother and father. Contrast Eph 5:6, "the children of disobedience." Compare Pe1 1:17, "obeying the Father" whose "children" ye are. Having the obedience of faith (compare Pe1 1:22) and so of practice (compa”
- 2 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Peter 2:14: full of adultery--literally, "full of an adulteress," as though they carried about adulteresses always dwelling in their eyes: the eye being the avenue of lust [HORNEIUS]. BENGEL makes the adulteress who fills their eyes, to be "alluring desire." that cannot cease--"that cannot be made to cease from sin." beguiling--"laying baits for." unstable--not firmly established in faith and piety. heart--not only the eyes, which are the channel, but the heart, the fountain head of lust. Job 31:7, "Mine heart walked after mine eyes." covetous practices”