Oh desire

Boy, did I need to read this article today. Since being debt-free, it's been effortless to allow desire for worldly things to creep in and take hold. Thank you Paul Tripp for reminding me of what's true and exhorting me to bear arms against the sin that wages war against my heart and draws me away from my treasure who is Christ.

"We were made for God. We were created to love him above all else. We were designed to live with his glory as the single motivator of all that we do. It is why we have been called to ministry and what God wants to create in the hearts of others through us. Desire for him was intended to shape all the other desires.

It is not wrong to desire comfort, acceptance, peace, success, order, health. In fact, there would be something wrong if you did not desire these things. But these desires must never rule you, because when they do, they replace God as the ruler of your heart. Even in gospel ministry, the move from desire to idolatry is a shockingly short step.

So we all need to cry out for help once more, we all need to seek God's rescue and his power. We must all humbly admit there is evidence in our daily lives and ministries that the war of desire still rages in our hearts. There are times when Jesus is our priceless treasure, but there are other times when we would rather have other things. This means that we cannot quit seeking his help until the day when we can say with complete singleness of heart, 'There is nothing on earth I desire besides you.'"

-The Gospel Coalition Blog, Desire: Friend of the Devil, Grace from God by Paul Tripp