Proverbs 21:10 - Homiletics

Desiring evil

I. MEN 'S DESIRES ARE DETERMINED BY THEIR NATURES . Good men have good desires, and bad men bad desires. No doubt natural desires may spring up in an innocent heart under circumstances which forbid the satisfaction of them without sin. Only so can one be tempted as Christ was tempted, i.e. without sin. Some indeed have maintained that even Christ, in becoming a partaker of "sinful flesh" ( Romans 8:3 ), actually took upon him a sinful nature, which be purged and redeemed. But we have no scriptural or historical evidence of any such transactions in the Person of Christ.

1 . We must distinguish, therefore, between desires suggested and desires encouraged. The first may be brought by the tempter to the innocent. It is in the case of the second that the desires become signs of sin.

2 . Many desires are in themselves sinful. Such desires find no place in a pure heart. The very fact that they exist is an evidence of indwelling sin.

II. THE WORST NATURES ARE THOSE THAT DESIRE EVIL FOR ITS OWN SAKE .

1 . It is possible to be surprised into sin without having previously cherished any desire for it. It is a darker thing to sin deliberately, after nursing the vile project and waiting long for an opportunity to carry it out.

2 . Or it may be that the desire is for some definite object which is thought to be attractive on its own account. Then there is no wish to sin, on the contrary, the fact that there is no reaching the goal without transgressing the law of righteousness may be regarded with regret. The desire is gratified in spite of its sinfulness, not because of its sinfulness.

3 . The worst state is that of desiring the sin, loving evil, finding a fascination in it—of two paths choosing the downward just because it descends. This is diabolic wickedness.

III. EVIL DESIRES ARE SINFUL . This is the clear teaching of Christ ( Matthew 5:28 ).

1 . They are sinful as indicating a wicked heart. The bad fruit condemns the bad tree. The world may not detect the hidden fires of suppressed desire; but they are known to the All-seeing.

2 . They are sinful as showing the exercise of sin ; i.e. if they are entertained. When we resist and seek to crush evil desires, this second stage of sinfulness is not reached. But brooding over them and giving them good room to lira and grow in the heart add to their guilt.

3 . They are sinful as leading to wicked deeds. Evil desires are seeds buried in the soul. Left to themselves and unchecked, they are sure to grow up and reveal their badness in wicked conduct.

IV. EVIL DESIRES SHOULD BE CHECKED AT ONCE . The above considerations should show us that it would be wrong to wait until the desires had reached the outer door of action in the world. They should be checked for various reasons.

1 . Because they are already evil. Even if we were sure that we could always keep them secret and inoperative, their natural and present Wickedness makes it incumbent on us to destroy them. The snake should be destroyed, though it lurks hidden in the thicket.

2 . Because they can be most readily destroyed in an early stage. It is easier to kill the young brood in the nest than to slay the monsters when they have grown to full size.

3 . Because they will be beyond our control when they have issued in actions. Deeds are irrevocable; but desires can be suppressed. Therefore men need the grace of Christ before they have fallen into actual sin. The best form of redemption is for the heart to be cleansed from its evil desires.