A Sign Among Us - Chapter 15 - Integrity and Uprightness

Some synonyms for the word desire... aspiration, wish, want, longing, craving, yearning and need. Ben franklin said, 'It is easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that follow it.'

Addiction

'... there are many devices in a man's heart...' Man's devices will not have success, unless God governs it. God's purpose is unchangeable.

'... the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand...' Bringing all our plans to the wise counsel of God constitutes the only sure foundation for peace and tranquility in our spirit. It is only when we make God's planning for our lives our plan, that we can avoid constant unrest and disappointment.

'... and he that hath (the fear of the LORD) shall abide satisfied; are you satisfied? Are you fully content?

I once heard someone sa this about his boss, 'He is so knowledgeable and so humble that you want to perform and go that extra mile for him.' Are we going that extra mile for Him or ourselves? Are we held back by our selfish desires? Are we trying to satisfy ourselves outside of God's plan?

Thinking, hoping, pretending we can bring about our own gratification?

Addictive Personality

Maybe the Lord can mold me and I can one day call it determination, resolve or fortitude. If I am exercising a desire outside of the plan of God, what good is it?

All that is doing is making it harder for the habit to be broken. I need to focus on God's plan for my life. Say no to my fleshly needs and exercise those desires that are of the Lord.

'For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe.' I Timothy 4:8-10

'Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.' Proverbs 19:20-23

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