Concupiscence in the Bible refers to a strong desire or lust, particularly a sinful longing for things that are contrary to God’s will. It is often associated with the sinful nature of humanity, as seen in passages like Romans 7:7-8, where it describes the struggle between the law and sinful desires.
Scripture
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.
2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden,
3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’”
4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.
5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.
6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.
Biblical Definition of Concupiscence
Concupiscence in the Bible serves as a reflection of humanity’s internal battle with sin and the desires that lead one away from God’s commandments. The term itself is derived from Latin and suggests an intense longing or yearning, which, when associated with sin, highlights the propensity of the human heart to pursue what is contrary to divine law. This concept is echoed in Romans 7:7-8, where the Apostle Paul articulates the tension between the divine law and his own inclinations, stating, “I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, ‘You shall not covet.’” Here, concupiscence transcends mere desire; it becomes the root of covetousness and other sinful actions that conflict with God’s will.
Furthermore, concupiscence is connected to the larger theological narrative of the fall of humanity. In Genesis 3, the temptation of Adam and Eve highlights the allure of forbidden fruit, an embodiment of desires that draw humans away from obedience to God. Galatians 5:16-17 exhorts believers to “walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh,” illustrating the spiritual struggle against concupiscence and the necessity of divine assistance to overcome such desires. Through recognizing concupiscence, believers are called to a life of vigilance and reliance on God’s grace to redirect their desires towards righteousness, thereby facilitating spiritual growth and obedience.
Concupiscence significantly underscores the Christian understanding of the moral landscape, situating human desires at the crossroads of divine intention and personal choice. In the biblical framework, concupiscence is often seen as a distortion of the God-given longing for goodness and beauty. This perverse desire is illustrated in the portrayal of sin’s effects throughout Scripture, particularly as it manifests in the relationship dynamics described in Proverbs 6:25, where the allure of an “adulterous woman” symbolizes the tempting nature of desires that lead one away from fidelity and righteousness. This metaphor not only reflects the physical realm but also encapsulates the spiritual infidelity experienced when individuals yield to concupiscence, effectively placing their desires above their covenant with God.
The recognition of concupiscence is further elucidated within the context of the teachings of Jesus, particularly in the Sermon on the Mount, where He expands the understanding of sin beyond actions to intentions of the heart. For instance, when He discusses adultery, equating even lustful thoughts with the act itself, He reveals how concupiscence can corrupt the inner life and provoke sin even before it becomes overt action. This interpretation encourages believers to engage in self-examination and repentance, thus revealing the transformative power of grace that seeks to redeem not just actions but also desires. By fostering a deeper understanding of concupiscence, believers are invited to cultivate a heart aligned with God’s will, embracing the continuous journey of sanctification and rest in the hope of eternal life, where desires will be fully restored to their intended purpose.
The Nature of Human Desire
Concupiscence, in a biblical context, often refers to the intense and sometimes disordered desires that arise within human beings. It highlights the struggle between the innate human longing for good and the tendency to pursue desires that lead to sin. This duality reflects the fallen nature of humanity, where desires can become misaligned with divine will, leading individuals away from spiritual fulfillment and towards moral failure.
The Call to Spiritual Discipline
Another broader meaning of concupiscence is the call for believers to engage in spiritual discipline and self-control. The recognition of concupiscence serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance in one’s spiritual life. It encourages individuals to cultivate virtues that counteract disordered desires, such as temperance, chastity, and humility. This aspect emphasizes the importance of aligning one’s desires with God’s purpose and living a life that reflects spiritual integrity.
The Role of Grace in Overcoming Desires
Concupiscence also underscores the necessity of divine grace in overcoming human weaknesses. The biblical understanding of concupiscence acknowledges that while individuals may struggle with their desires, they are not left to face these challenges alone. The transformative power of grace is essential for believers to resist temptation and grow in holiness. This perspective highlights the hope and redemption available through faith, emphasizing that, despite the presence of concupiscence, individuals can find strength and renewal in their relationship with God.
How to Transform Desires for a Stronger Faith
Transforming our desires into a stronger faith is a journey that requires intentionality and reflection. As we navigate our daily lives, it’s essential to recognize that our desires can either draw us closer to God or lead us astray. Start by examining what you truly long for—are these desires aligned with God’s will? Prayer is a powerful tool here; it opens our hearts to God’s guidance and helps us discern our true needs. Additionally, immersing ourselves in Scripture can reshape our desires, as we learn to prioritize love, compassion, and service over worldly pursuits. Surrounding ourselves with a community of believers can also provide support and accountability, encouraging us to pursue desires that foster spiritual growth. Remember, it’s not about suppressing our desires but transforming them, allowing God to refine our hearts so that our deepest longings reflect His love and purpose for our lives.
Bible References to Concupiscence Explained:
Exodus 20:17: 17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
Proverbs 6:25-29: 25 Do not desire her beauty in your heart,
and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes;
26 For the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life.
27 Can a man carry fire next to his chest
and his clothes not be burned?
28 Or can one walk on hot coals
and his feet not be scorched?
29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; none who touches her will go unpunished.
Matthew 5:27-30: 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’”
28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.
30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.
Romans 1:24-27: 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,
25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature;
27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
Romans 7:7-8: 7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin.
8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead.
Romans 13:13-14: 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11: 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Galatians 5:16-21: But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
17 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.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,
21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Ephesians 4:17-24: 17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.
18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.
19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.
20 But that is not the way you learned Christ! – Ephesians 4:20 (ESV)
21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,
22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,
23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Colossians 3:5-10: 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.
7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.
8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices.
10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-7: 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;
4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,
5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;
6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.
7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.
James 1:13-15: 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.
14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
1 Peter 2:11-12: 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
1 John 2:15-17: 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.