controlling sinful appetites

Controlling Sinful Appetites

Appetite can be defined as “a strong desire or urge.” While we typically associate it with food or drink, this word refers to any powerful wish, including the longing for security, a craving for wealth, or a sexual desire.

Most of our appetites, in their purest forms, are God-given. The problem arises when we allow them to usurp His rightful place on the throne of our hearts.

Aside from the ones listed above, name some appetites that can get people into trouble.


Which of your desires sometimes get out of control?


God’s Path to Freedom

According to worldly wisdom, the way to overcome unhealthy desires is by adhering to a series of rules and guidelines. Although moral absolutes do provide us standards for behavior, they are not the means to godliness. God wants us to depend on Him to find relief from our fixations. Here are a series of helpful steps in addressing any appetite that gets out of control.

Confession

Admit before God that indulging a wayward appetite is disobedience. Agree with Him that not only are the effects of sin painful, but the sin itself is a risky and ineffective way to attempt meeting your needs.

In explaining how believers should treat one another, what does Ephesians 4:32 imply about the way God treats us?


What reassurance does Romans 8:1-2 give about your relationship with Christ despite your weaknesses?


Take a moment to confess your sin and receive God’s forgiveness.

Surrender

You must admit that you can’t conquer a harmful appetite on your own. Ask the Holy Spirit to provide the strength you need to resist it.

Why do you think Paul says that rules such as “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch” are of “no value against fleshly indulgence” (Col. 2:21, 23)?


Jesus said, “The Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing” (John 5:30). Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). Is there a contradiction in these two statements? Explain.


Believers are “crucified with Christ” (Gal. 2:20). Since we are still alive physically, what do you think this means (see also Luke 9:23-24)?


Why does weakness give us an opportunity to be strong (2 Cor. 12:9-10)?


When you have surrendered to the Lord’s will in the past, what have been the results? Try to give a specific example.


What would surrender to Him look like in your current situation?


Address the root problem

Prayerfully analyze why you indulge certain appetites. For the most part, sinful behavior has its root in legitimate needs, such as loneliness, sadness, exhaustion, insecurity, discomfort, etc. (For example, stress might trigger a desire to binge on junk food.)

After his affair with Bathsheba, another man’s wife, David’s real need was for God’s forgiveness. Instead of turning to the Lord with his guilt, how did he attempt to hide his sin (2 Sam. 11:6-25)?
 

According to Psalm 32, written by David, what are the consequences of failing to ask God’s forgiveness? What are some benefits of confession?


What are the root problem(s) that prompt you to give in to sinful appetites? If you’re unsure, pray that God would reveal them to you.


Find a replacement

In general, the more a person focuses on not giving in to a temptation, the more he or she will want to indulge that particular sinful appetite. The solution is to ask the Lord for healthier ways to respond to life’s challenges. (For instance, God may lead an anxious person to call a friend and pray instead of turning to unhealthy snack food.)

What advice did Paul give believers in Colossians 3:12-17?


Choose one command from the passage that could impact how you resist temptation. How would taking that advice change the way you react to life’s stressors?


What do you think the Lord would have you do instead of indulging your appetite(s)? You will probably have different solutions for each need.


Worship

Humans are designed to worship. Either we will live for the Creator, or we will passionately sacrifice for possessions, people, power, accomplishment, appearance, comfort, or something else. As believers, we are not immune to this tendency.

Read Romans 12:1-2. What does it mean to be a “living sacrifice”?


How can you worship God in practical ways as you go throughout your daily routine?


Read Psalm 16:11. Why does worship fill a person with joy and pleasure?


Contrast the way you feel after worshipping and praising the Lord with how you feel after overindulging an appetite.


Why do you think believers continually fall into the same sin when its fruit is always bad?


Prayer: In your time of prayer, confess any areas where your appetites are out of balance. Ask God to open your eyes to the emptiness and dissatisfaction sin brings. Pray for His help in breaking the unhealthy patterns you have developed. When you surrender fully to the Lord, He will satisfy your needs as He sees fit.

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