Lesson 3: Desire — The Heart That Wants What It Shouldn’t

The Bait Has Been Set

Temptation dangled the lure.
You didn’t bite—yet.
But now something stirs inside.
Something wants it.

This is desire.

Temptation Was Out There

Desire is in here.
Inside the heart.
Quiet.
Hungry.
Lurking.

“He is lured and enticed by his own desire.” — James 1:14

It’s Still Not Too Late

You can still walk away.
The hook isn’t set yet.

But here’s the danger:

You think you’re in control.
You think you can flirt with the thought.
You think you’ll pull back in time.

You won’t.

Desire Makes You Lie to Yourself

“It’s not that serious.”
“I’ll stop before it goes too far.”
“God knows my heart.”
“Just once.”

Desire whispers.
You agree.
And the line gets thinner.

Desire Doesn’t Want Accountability

It hates the light.
It shuts the door.
It hides the browser.
It clears the history.
It avoids the godly friend.

Because it knows—
exposure kills it.

The Mind Starts Negotiating

You begin justifying the thought.
Rationalizing it.
Rehearsing it.
Enjoying it.

You’re not sinning yet—
But you’re setting the table for it.

Desire Changes Your Focus

Now the bait looks better.
Your convictions look weaker.
The escape route looks foolish.
And the sin?
It looks like life.

You Think You Can Handle It

But you can’t.

You’re staring at the flame
and calling it a night light.

It will burn you.
Every time.

The Heart Has a Hunger

Desire feeds on your thoughts.
Grows with your delay.
Strengthens with your silence.

Starve it, and it dies.
Feed it, and it takes over.

You Still Have a Way Out

“God… will also provide the way of escape…” — 1 Corinthians 10:13

But you have to want the exit
more than the fantasy.

Now’s the time to run.
Not later.
Not when it’s birthed.
Now.

Desire Left Alone Doesn’t Sit Still

It doesn’t stay a thought.
It wants action.
It wants more.

It wants to give birth.

What You Think Is Harmless

Becomes a stronghold.
What you think is a game
becomes your master.

It won’t ask permission.
It will take control.

The Danger Isn’t Just the Sin — It’s the Drift

The longer you entertain desire,
the further you drift from God.

Prayer fades.
Conviction weakens.
Truth gets blurry.
Sin gets closer.

You Can Still Flee

But the door is harder to see.
The voice of the Spirit is quieter.
The pull of the flesh is stronger.

This is where most fall.
Not at the act—at the desire.

Jesus Doesn’t Just Judge Actions

“Everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent
has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” — Matthew 5:28

Desire matters.
It reveals who’s sitting on the throne.

God Doesn’t Just Want Obedience

He wants your desires.

Your thoughts.
Your cravings.
Your worship.

He doesn’t just want your actions to change—
He wants your heart.

Kill Desire, or It Will Give Birth

That’s next.

But first, realize this:

You don’t defeat sin after it’s born.
You cut it off before it’s conceived.

Summary

• Temptation baits the hook.

• Desire pulls you toward it.

• You think you’re in control—but you’re not.

• Desire lies.

• Desire grows.

• Desire conceives.

And if you don’t flee now—
you won’t later.