WORLDLINESS. # 4.

In our past three articles, we have shown definitions of the term "worldliness" and how it revolves around the "lust of the flesh," the "lust of the eyes," and the "vain glory of life." Now, we need to determine how to discriminate between lusts of the flesh and lawful desires given to us by God. I want to pass on to you an article written by D.Ellis Walker on this timely subject:

DISCRIMINATION IS NECESSARY. We must know the truth in order to make proper discriminations else we may brand lawful desires and an appreciation of the beautiful, as "things of the world." (The difference between a simple desire and a lust is the difference between the lawful and the unlawful.) There are drives, motives, and emotions which are natural and which ask for satisfaction. Whether or not these things remain simple, lawful desires or become lusts (unlawful desires) depends upon whether or not the individual conforms or does not conform to the law of God. Listed below are drives, motives, and emotions which we wish to study in the light of what we have learned about "the things of the world":

A. GOD-GIVEN INBORN DRIVES:

1. Biological: a. Hunger. b. Thirst. c. Air hunger. d. Fatigue. e. Sleepiness. f. Warmth and cold. g. Pain. h. Visceral tensions.

2. Appetites and aversions: a. Sexual appetites. b. Musical tones. c. Colors and color combinations. d. Tastes and flavors. e. Smells.

B. DERIVED MOTIVES:

1. Exploratory.
2. Symbolic rewards.
3. Working for social approval.
4. Acquisitiveness.
5. Interests and values (these are determined by environment).

C. EMOTIONS:

1. Worry.
2. Fear.
3. Annoyance.
4. Elation.
5. Anger.
6. Dejection.
7. Shame.
8. Jealousy.
9. Disgust.
10. Affection.

A careful study of the above drives, motives, and emotions will show how under God, they can be lawfully satisfied or, under the devil, become either the lust of the flesh or the lust of the eyes or the vain glory of life. For instance: let us consider the biological drives of hunger and thirst. (A drive is so called because it tends to drive you to do something to satisfy its demands). The baby is born with these drives. When it becomes hungry and thirsty its body demands that it be given food and drink. (If the baby does not get food and drink, it will squall until it does). When these drives are satisfied, no sin is committed. It is not lust for anyone to desire to satisfy his hunger and thirst in a lawful way. But the very desire to provide food and drink in an unlawful way is lust, and the desire for an unlawful thing, to satisfy hunger and thirst, is also lust.

Under the second heading let us consider the sexual appetite. Here is a desire which rivals hunger and thirst in strength. The Bible teaches that it may be satisfied not only for the purpose of procreation, but also for the mutual pleasure of husband and wife. (1 Cor. 7:2-6). The mere presence of the sexual drive is not to be construed as lust -- unlawful desire. It is both natural and right for young people, passing through middle and later adoles- cence, to desire the company of the opposite sex. It is both natural and right for them to marry (If they do so in harmony with God's ordinances) and to render unto each other the "due benevolence" (1 Cor. 7:3) which each is entitled to in the conjugal relationship. But the desire to satisfy the sexual appetite in an unlawful way is lust. Marriage was not ordained of God just to satisfy the sexual appetite -- marriage is much more than that. But the desire to satisfy the sexual appetite through fornication or adultery is lust -- it is forbidden by Christ. (Matt. 5:27,28).

Let us consider a derived motive -- the exploratory motive. The exploratory motive is derived from a drive. For instance, one is hungry. If he is a small baby, he nuzzles around looking for his mother's breast or a bottle. If a small boy, he explores the jam shelf or the refrigerator. If a responsible adult, he looks for a job whereby he can earn an honest living and thus, in an honorable way, provide the means to satisfy his hunger drive. If not an honest man, he thinks and plans how he can steal, cheat, lie, etc., in order to satisfy his hunger. Every covetous thought he has is lust -- unlawful desire.

Lesson One
Lesson Two
Lesson Three
Lesson Five

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