Evil concupiscence in the Bible refers to strong, often sinful desires or lusts that lead to immoral behavior, highlighted in passages like Colossians 3:5, where believers are urged to put to death earthly desires. It denotes an inclination towards sin that arises from the fallen human nature.
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5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
6 And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.
7 So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.”
Evil Concupiscence Defined in the Bible
The concept of evil concupiscence in the Bible emphasizes the strong, often uncontrollable desires that stem from humanity’s sinful nature, revealing the internal struggle that individuals face between their spiritual aspirations and earthly temptations. In Colossians 3:5, the Apostle Paul instructs believers to “put to death” their earthly desires, which include “evil concupiscence,” indicating that such inclinations are not only detrimental to one’s relationship with God but are also a hindrance to spiritual growth. This struggle is linked to the larger biblical narrative of sin entering the world through the fall of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3), which resulted in an intrinsic propensity within human beings to rebel against God and to pursue self-serving desires rather than righteousness.
Furthermore, this concept is echoed in passages like James 1:14-15, where it states, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin when it is full-grown brings forth death.” Here, the idea of concupiscence serves as a precursor to sin, illustrating how unchecked desires can lead to moral decay and spiritual death. As believers navigate their faith, the Bible calls them to actively renounce these sinful inclinations, seeking transformation through the power of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16-17). Thus, the call to address evil concupiscence is not merely about resisting temptation, but about engaging in a deeper process of sanctification and alignment with God’s will.
In the biblical tradition, the conflict between human desires and divine commands is underscored in various texts that address the nature and consequences of concupiscence. For instance, in Paul’s letter to the Romans, he articulates the tension between the flesh and the spirit, describing how the former’s desires can lead one away from God’s righteousness (Romans 7:18). This inner turmoil reflects the pervasive struggle against sinful inclinations, illustrating how concupiscence can distort one’s intentions and actions. The struggle against such desires is not merely an individual endeavor; it aligns with the overarching theme of redemption and the transformative work of Christ in a believer’s life, as emphasized in the call to renewal of the mind and heart (Romans 12:2).
Moreover, the Old Testament also touches on similar themes, where the book of Proverbs warns against the seductive allure of lustful desires that lead one astray from wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 7). This illustration of concupiscence serves as a moral compass, urging individuals to recognize the dangers of succumbing to their base instincts. In this light, the biblical pursuit of holiness and righteousness necessitates an active resistance against the intoxicating pull of evil concupiscence. This ongoing battle highlights the importance of community and accountability within the body of believers, fostering an environment where one can grow in spiritual strength and resilience against such temptations. Ultimately, the biblical narrative consistently portrays the need for vigilance, reliance on divine grace, and the pursuit of a life that honors God despite the lingering presence of sinful desires.
The Nature of Human Desire
Evil concupiscence in the Bible often refers to the disordered desires that arise from humanity’s fallen state. It highlights the struggle between the innate human longing for good and the corrupting influence of sin. This concept underscores the idea that while desires themselves are not inherently evil, they can become sinful when they lead individuals away from God’s will and towards selfishness and immorality.
The Consequences of Sinful Desires
The Bible illustrates that evil concupiscence can lead to a range of negative outcomes, both spiritually and socially. When individuals succumb to these disordered desires, they may engage in actions that harm themselves and others, resulting in broken relationships, societal discord, and spiritual separation from God. This understanding serves as a warning about the importance of self-control and the need for divine assistance in overcoming such inclinations.
The Call to Righteousness
Evil concupiscence also serves as a backdrop for the biblical call to righteousness and holiness. Believers are encouraged to recognize and combat these sinful desires through spiritual disciplines, prayer, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. This pursuit of righteousness is framed as a transformative journey, where individuals are called to align their desires with God’s purposes, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and virtuous life.
How to Cultivate Righteous Desires and Actions
Cultivating righteous desires and actions is a journey that begins in the heart and mind, and it requires intentionality and prayer. Start by immersing yourself in Scripture, allowing God’s Word to shape your thoughts and desires; passages like Philippians 4:8 remind us to focus on what is true, noble, and right. Surround yourself with a community of believers who inspire and challenge you to live out your faith authentically. Engage in regular self-reflection and ask God to reveal areas in your life that need transformation. Remember, it’s not just about avoiding sin but actively pursuing goodness—seek opportunities to serve others, practice kindness, and extend grace, as these actions will naturally cultivate a heart aligned with God’s will. Trust that as you draw closer to Him, your desires will begin to reflect His, leading to a life that not only honors Him but also brings joy and fulfillment to your own heart.
Bible References to Evil Concupiscence:
Proverbs 6:16-19: 16 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
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 1:24-32: 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.
28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.
29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips,
30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,
31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
32 Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
Romans 7:7-25: 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.
9 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died.
10 The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me.
11 For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.
12 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
13 Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.
14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin.
15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good.
17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.
20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.
22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being,
23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
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 4:3-8: 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.
8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
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.