A sense of longing for or wanting something. It may be a positive or negative force in the human character, but sinful desire is characteristic of human nature and must be overcome by the believer. God also expresses desires in Scripture.
Righteous desire
Desire for God
Psalm 73:25 See also Psalm 42:1–2, Psalm 63:1–8, Psalm 143:6; Isaiah 26:8–9
Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You.
Desire for right living
Psalm 40:8 See also Psalm 119:174; Proverbs 22:1; Hebrews 13:18
I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.”
Desire for wisdom
2 Chronicles 1:7–12 parallel 1 Kings 3:5–14 See also James 1:5
That night God appeared to Solomon and said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!” Solomon replied to God: “You have shown much loving devotion to my father David, and You have made me king in his place. Now, O LORD God, let Your promise to my father David be fulfilled. For You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Now grant me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may lead this people. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?” God said to Solomon, “Since this was in your heart instead of requesting riches or wealth or honor for yourself or death for your enemies — and since you have not even requested long life but have asked for wisdom and knowledge to govern My people over whom I have made you king — therefore wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will also give you riches and wealth and honor unlike anything given to the kings before you or after you.”
Desire for spiritual gifts
1 Corinthians 14:1–5 See also 1 Corinthians 12:27–31
Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit. But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort. The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified.
Desire for church office
This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task.
Sinful desire
Deuteronomy 5:21 parallel Exodus 20:17 See also Proverbs 11:6; Romans 1:24, Romans 7:8; 1 Timothy 6:9–10; James 1:13–15; 2 Peter 3:3; Jude 1:16–18
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house or field, or his manservant or maidservant, or his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Sinful desire is inherent in human nature
Ephesians 2:3 See also 2 Peter 2:10, 2 Peter 2:18
All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.
Following Jesus Christ means putting to death sinful desires
Galatians 5:24 See also Romans 8:5–14, Romans 13:11–14; Ephesians 4:22–24; Colossians 3:5; 2 Timothy 2:22; 1 Peter 1:14–15, 1 Peter 2:11, 1 Peter 4:1–5
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
The tension in believers between the desires of the old and new natures
Galatians 5:16–17 See also Romans 7:18; James 4:1
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.
Sexual desire
Genesis 3:16 See also Song of Solomon 7:10; 1 Timothy 5:11
To the woman He said: “I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”
Sinful lust condemned
Matthew 5:28 See also Romans 1:26; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–4; 1 Peter 4:3; 2 Peter 2:18
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
God's desires
God desires true worship
Matthew 12:7 See also Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9:13; Amos 5:21–24; John 4:21–24; Hebrews 10:5–14; Psalm 40:6–8
If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.
God desires right living
Psalm 51:6 See also James 1:19–20
Surely You desire truth in the inmost being; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
God's desires for his people
2 Chronicles 9:8 See also Psalm 132:13
Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you to set you on His throne to be king for the LORD your God. Because your God loved Israel enough to establish them forever, He has made you king over them to carry out justice and righteousness.”
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.