Desire

Righteous desire

Desire for God

Psalm 73:25 ESV

Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

See also Ps 42:1–2; Ps 63:1–8; Ps 143:6; Is 26:8–9

Desire for right living

Psalm 40:8 ESV

I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”

See also Ps 119:174; Pr 22:1; Heb 13:18

Desire for wisdom

2 Chronicles 1:7–12 ESV

In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said to God, “You have shown great and steadfast love to David my father, and have made me king in his place. O Lord God, let your word to David my father be now fulfilled, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?” God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.”

See also Jas 1:5

Desire for spiritual gifts

1 Corinthians 14:1–5 ESV

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

See also 1 Co 12:27–31

Desire for church office

1 Timothy 3:1 ESV

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.

Sinful desire

Deuteronomy 5:21 ESV

“ ‘And you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. And you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, or his male servant, or his female servant, his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.’

See also Pr 11:6; Ro 1:24; Ro 7:8; 1 Ti 6:9–10; Jas 1:13–15; 2 Pe 3:3; Jud 16–18

Sinful desire is inherent in human nature

Ephesians 2:3 ESV

among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

See also 2 Pe 2:10; 2 Pe 2:18

Following Jesus Christ means putting to death sinful desires

Galatians 5:24 ESV

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

See also Ro 8:5–14; Ro 13:11–14; Eph 4:22–24; Col 3:5; 2 Ti 2:22; 1 Pe 1:14–15; 1 Pe 2:11; 1 Pe 4:1–5

The tension in believers between the desires of the old and new natures

Galatians 5:16–17 ESV

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

See also Ro 7:18; Jas 4:1

Sexual desire

Genesis 3:16 ESV

To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.”

See also So 7:10; 1 Ti 5:11

Sinful lust condemned

Matthew 5:28 ESV

But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

See also Ro 1:26; 1 Th 4:3–4; 1 Pe 4:3; 2 Pe 2:18

God’s desires

God desires true worship

Matthew 12:7 ESV

And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.

See also Ho 6:6; Mt 9:13; Am 5:21–24; Jn 4:21–24; Heb 10:5–14; Ps 40:6–8

God desires right living

Psalm 51:6 ESV

Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

See also Jas 1:19–20

God’s desires for his people

2 Chronicles 9:8 ESV

Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on his throne as king for the Lord your God! Because your God loved Israel and would establish them forever, he has made you king over them, that you may execute justice and righteousness.”

See also Ps 132:13