# What Is Your True Desire? A Call to Examine Our Hearts.
What Is Your True Desire? A Call to Examine Our Hearts
In a world filled with endless distractions and competing priorities, we face a fundamental question that cuts to the core of our spiritual lives: What is your desire? Not what you say your desire is, not what you tell others at church, but what truly occupies your heart, your time, and your decision-making?
Scripture reminds us clearly: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" (1 John 2:15-16).
These aren't gentle suggestions or recommendations for the spiritually ambitious. These are foundational truths that expose the reality of our relationship with God. When we examine our lives honestly—our choices, our priorities, our use of time—what do they reveal about what we truly desire?
The Test of True Discipleship
It's easy to claim we love God. It's simple to say we're His followers. But the proof isn't in our words; it's in our actions. When God calls on us, when He needs something from us, do we respond with immediate obedience or with excuses? Do we say, "Yes, Lord," or do we say, "Let me check my schedule"?
The uncomfortable truth is that many of us have made gods out of our comfort, our possessions, our relationships, and our ambitions. We've bowed down to the altar of materialism, seeking after houses, cars, status, and recognition, all while claiming to seek God first. But Christ's words are uncompromising: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).
Notice the order. First, seek Him. Then, all other things will be added. But we've reversed it. We seek everything else first and wonder why our spiritual lives feel empty and powerless.
The Danger of Worldly Desires
The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—these three enemies wage constant war against our souls. They promise fulfillment but deliver only emptiness. They offer satisfaction but leave us craving more.
The lust of the flesh represents our physical appetites and cravings that pull us away from God. The lust of the eyes is our obsession with accumulating things, following the god of materialism, constantly wanting what we see others possess. The pride of life is our obsession with status and importance, our need to be seen, recognized, and celebrated.
These desires don't just distract us from God—they replace Him. They become the lens through which we make every decision. And when we make decisions without considering God, we inevitably end up in messes of our own making, crying out to Him only when things fall apart.
The Question of Communication
How tight is your relationship with Christ? When you call His name, does He respond? Do you even know how to pray, or have you been sitting in church for years without developing genuine communication with your Father?
Prayer isn't a ritual or a formula. It's conversation with the One who holds your life in His hands, who guides your footsteps, who knows your thoughts before you speak them. Yet many believers are ashamed to praise Him publicly, afraid to speak His name in front of others, timid about their faith—all while expecting Him to bless them abundantly.
There's a disconnect here that must be addressed. We cannot be secret disciples. We cannot hide our faith away like it's something to be embarrassed about and still expect to grow in spiritual maturity and power.
The Path of Denial and Wisdom
Jesus said we must deny ourselves. This isn't popular teaching in a culture that preaches self-fulfillment and following your heart. But denying ourselves means putting to death those desires that compete with God for first place in our lives.
It means saying no to opportunities that would pull us away from worship. It means choosing time with God over entertainment, rest, or even work. It means being willing to be misunderstood, criticized, or left behind by those who don't share our commitment.
Proverbs tells us that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" and that "the knowledge of the Holy is understanding." Without a proper fear—a reverent awe and respect—for God, we cannot gain true wisdom. We'll continue making foolish decisions, following our feelings, and wondering why life isn't working out as we hoped.
The Reality of False Disciples
Scripture warns us that some will walk away: "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us" (1 John 2:19).
Not everyone who says "Lord, Lord" truly knows Him. Not everyone who attends church is genuinely committed. Some are there for what they can get—the connections, the comfort, the community—but not for Christ Himself.
When truth is preached, when conviction comes, when the cost of discipleship becomes clear, these individuals reveal themselves by walking away. And while it's painful to watch people leave, it's necessary. Those who weren't truly with us anyway will only hinder the work God wants to do.
A Call to Authentic Faith
The challenge before us is clear: Be authentic. Be genuine. Stop playing religious games and get serious about your relationship with God. Stop making excuses for why you can't pray, can't serve, can't give, can't commit.
If you're truly His, your life will show it. Your decisions will reflect it. Your priorities will demonstrate it. You won't need to convince people you're a Christian—they'll see Christ in you through your actions, your words, your character, and your love.
This isn't about perfection. It's about direction. It's about who you're becoming, not just who you claim to be. It's about aligning your desires with God's desires, your will with His will, your life with His purpose.
The Urgency of Now
Time is short. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. People die in their sleep, unexpectedly, without warning. The question isn't whether you'll die, but whether you're ready when that moment comes.
Are you living in such a way that if God called your name tonight, you'd know without a doubt you're going home with Him? Or would there be fear, uncertainty, and regret over wasted time and misplaced priorities?
Don't wait until you've accomplished your earthly goals to get serious about God. Don't put off surrender until you've experienced everything the world has to offer. Those things will never satisfy, and they'll cost you everything that truly matters.
Choose This Day
What is your desire? Answer honestly. Look at your calendar, your bank account, your thought life, your conversations. They'll tell you the truth even if your words don't.
If your desire isn't God—if He's not first, if He's not everything—then today is the day to change. Repent. Turn around. Realign your life with His truth. Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him with wholehearted devotion.
The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. Choose wisely. Choose Christ. Choose life.
In a world filled with endless distractions and competing priorities, we face a fundamental question that cuts to the core of our spiritual lives: What is your desire? Not what you say your desire is, not what you tell others at church, but what truly occupies your heart, your time, and your decision-making?
Scripture reminds us clearly: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" (1 John 2:15-16).
These aren't gentle suggestions or recommendations for the spiritually ambitious. These are foundational truths that expose the reality of our relationship with God. When we examine our lives honestly—our choices, our priorities, our use of time—what do they reveal about what we truly desire?
The Test of True Discipleship
It's easy to claim we love God. It's simple to say we're His followers. But the proof isn't in our words; it's in our actions. When God calls on us, when He needs something from us, do we respond with immediate obedience or with excuses? Do we say, "Yes, Lord," or do we say, "Let me check my schedule"?
The uncomfortable truth is that many of us have made gods out of our comfort, our possessions, our relationships, and our ambitions. We've bowed down to the altar of materialism, seeking after houses, cars, status, and recognition, all while claiming to seek God first. But Christ's words are uncompromising: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).
Notice the order. First, seek Him. Then, all other things will be added. But we've reversed it. We seek everything else first and wonder why our spiritual lives feel empty and powerless.
The Danger of Worldly Desires
The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—these three enemies wage constant war against our souls. They promise fulfillment but deliver only emptiness. They offer satisfaction but leave us craving more.
The lust of the flesh represents our physical appetites and cravings that pull us away from God. The lust of the eyes is our obsession with accumulating things, following the god of materialism, constantly wanting what we see others possess. The pride of life is our obsession with status and importance, our need to be seen, recognized, and celebrated.
These desires don't just distract us from God—they replace Him. They become the lens through which we make every decision. And when we make decisions without considering God, we inevitably end up in messes of our own making, crying out to Him only when things fall apart.
The Question of Communication
How tight is your relationship with Christ? When you call His name, does He respond? Do you even know how to pray, or have you been sitting in church for years without developing genuine communication with your Father?
Prayer isn't a ritual or a formula. It's conversation with the One who holds your life in His hands, who guides your footsteps, who knows your thoughts before you speak them. Yet many believers are ashamed to praise Him publicly, afraid to speak His name in front of others, timid about their faith—all while expecting Him to bless them abundantly.
There's a disconnect here that must be addressed. We cannot be secret disciples. We cannot hide our faith away like it's something to be embarrassed about and still expect to grow in spiritual maturity and power.
The Path of Denial and Wisdom
Jesus said we must deny ourselves. This isn't popular teaching in a culture that preaches self-fulfillment and following your heart. But denying ourselves means putting to death those desires that compete with God for first place in our lives.
It means saying no to opportunities that would pull us away from worship. It means choosing time with God over entertainment, rest, or even work. It means being willing to be misunderstood, criticized, or left behind by those who don't share our commitment.
Proverbs tells us that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" and that "the knowledge of the Holy is understanding." Without a proper fear—a reverent awe and respect—for God, we cannot gain true wisdom. We'll continue making foolish decisions, following our feelings, and wondering why life isn't working out as we hoped.
The Reality of False Disciples
Scripture warns us that some will walk away: "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us" (1 John 2:19).
Not everyone who says "Lord, Lord" truly knows Him. Not everyone who attends church is genuinely committed. Some are there for what they can get—the connections, the comfort, the community—but not for Christ Himself.
When truth is preached, when conviction comes, when the cost of discipleship becomes clear, these individuals reveal themselves by walking away. And while it's painful to watch people leave, it's necessary. Those who weren't truly with us anyway will only hinder the work God wants to do.
A Call to Authentic Faith
The challenge before us is clear: Be authentic. Be genuine. Stop playing religious games and get serious about your relationship with God. Stop making excuses for why you can't pray, can't serve, can't give, can't commit.
If you're truly His, your life will show it. Your decisions will reflect it. Your priorities will demonstrate it. You won't need to convince people you're a Christian—they'll see Christ in you through your actions, your words, your character, and your love.
This isn't about perfection. It's about direction. It's about who you're becoming, not just who you claim to be. It's about aligning your desires with God's desires, your will with His will, your life with His purpose.
The Urgency of Now
Time is short. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. People die in their sleep, unexpectedly, without warning. The question isn't whether you'll die, but whether you're ready when that moment comes.
Are you living in such a way that if God called your name tonight, you'd know without a doubt you're going home with Him? Or would there be fear, uncertainty, and regret over wasted time and misplaced priorities?
Don't wait until you've accomplished your earthly goals to get serious about God. Don't put off surrender until you've experienced everything the world has to offer. Those things will never satisfy, and they'll cost you everything that truly matters.
Choose This Day
What is your desire? Answer honestly. Look at your calendar, your bank account, your thought life, your conversations. They'll tell you the truth even if your words don't.
If your desire isn't God—if He's not first, if He's not everything—then today is the day to change. Repent. Turn around. Realign your life with His truth. Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him with wholehearted devotion.
The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. Choose wisely. Choose Christ. Choose life.
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