Desiring

I wrote such a long response to DaveE's post that I had to cut part of it out. I still thought it might be helpful to someone, even if it's just myself.

Sexual temptation is something common to every man - gold or fame, not so. That is, I think, one reason it is so often spoken of in the Bible. It is a desire of such "natural" means, such base calling that it is easily given into. The assumption though is that only sexual sin comes from within one's own heart.

Lets look. The desire for gold or cake, do those come from without? No. The items are outside of me, but so is a woman, magazine or even memory of past flame's perfume. The very act of fornication, adultery, theft or murder was forbidden in the Old Testament yet Christ forbids the lingering thought of them. Do not desire (to "know," to kill (read hate) or steal). Is this new? NO!! A thousand times I say No!! Did we only read 9 of the Ten Commandments? Thou shalt not covet!

There is fantastic wisdom even in the order of the Ten Commandments - from commands concerning God, then commands toward Man. Love God with all your heart, soul and might and love your neighbor as yourself.
The commands concerning Man go in order from most vile, murder, to most "seemingly" mundane, covetousness. Yet it is the coveting of something that will lead to murder, adultery, theft and falsehood. All of these rise from self-conceit. I want. I need. I desire with all my heart something that is not mine.

What is yours? Does anything belong to anyone? All is God's. Unless your want is for God, it is misplaced. God is yours to have, you are His possession and He is yours. Be holy for the Lord your God is Holy. I will be your God and you will be my people.
The Shema Israel is the first and greatest commandment. Love God. All other desires, monetary, prideful, sexual or other wise, stem from a misplaced heart-desire and lead away from God, lead away from Life Himself - and when turning away from Life, there leaves only Death. For the wages of sin is death. But Christ has overcome!