When Desire Meets Discipleship

I think one of the more confusing ideas in our culture today is the belief that if someone is “born” with a certain desire or inclination, then that desire should automatically be accepted and embraced without question.

The reasoning usually goes something like this:  “If this is natural for me… then it must be right for me.”

And if anyone suggests restraint, self-control, or moral boundaries, that person is often viewed as hateful or uncaring.

But when you really stop and think about it, that idea falls apart pretty quickly.

The truth is, every one of us is born with tendencies we are not supposed to simply give ourselves over to. We all have weaknesses. We all have desires that pull us in wrong directions. That is part of being human in a fallen world.

One person may naturally struggle with anger. Another with pride. Another with selfishness. Someone else may battle greed, jealousy, lust, dishonesty, or addiction.

The Bible never teaches that every natural desire is good simply because it feels natural.

In fact, Scripture says:  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

That includes all of us.

I sometimes think we can make a mistake by acting as though one kind of temptation is unique while everyone else is morally neutral. But that is not true at all. We all fight something.

Suppose I were to say, “I have always had a tendency to lose my temper, so people should simply accept it when I explode at others.”

Would that make it okay?

Or suppose someone said, “I have a natural urge to steal things. I was born this way.”

Nobody would conclude that stealing should therefore be celebrated or encouraged. We would still expect that person to exercise self-control.

Why?  Because deep down, we all understand an important truth: having a desire does not automatically justify acting on it.

Part of maturity is learning not to let our desires rule us. That is actually one of the major themes of Christianity.

 

The Bible speaks often about self-control:  “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.” (Proverbs 25:28)

And:  “The fruit of the Spirit is… self-control.” (Galatians 5:22–23)

Following God has never meant doing whatever feels natural in the moment. If we are honest, many harmful things can feel natural. Revenge can feel natural. Bitterness can feel natural. Immorality can feel natural. Selfishness can feel natural.

Jesus never said, “Follow your impulses wherever they lead.”

He said:  “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)

That applies to every single one of us.

And honestly, I think that is where our modern culture struggles. We increasingly treat self-expression as the highest good, while Scripture calls us to something higher than self-expression — it calls us to holiness.

That brings us to the discussion surrounding homosexuality.

Much of the modern argument centers around the idea that same-sex attraction must be morally acceptable because some people experience those feelings deeply and sincerely, perhaps even from an early age.

But even if a desire feels deeply rooted, that alone does not answer the moral question.

As Christians, we have to ask:  “What has God said?”

From the beginning, Scripture describes marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman. “Male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27)

And:  “A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24)  Jesus Himself reaffirmed this in Matthew 19.

That does not mean Christians should become arrogant, cruel, or unkind toward people. Quite the opposite. Christians should be the first to show compassion, gentleness, patience, and humility.

Every person is made in the image of God and deserves dignity and kindness.

But kindness does not require us to abandon what we believe God has taught.

Real love is not simply telling people what they want to hear. Sometimes love speaks difficult truths with humility and compassion.

And if we are being fair, Christianity asks difficult things of all of us — not just some people.

There are desires I have to say no to.

There are desires you have to say no to.

There are struggles every Christian must battle.

None of us gets to place our feelings above God’s will.

The good news of the gospel is not that God tells us to stay exactly as we are. The good news is that He helps transform us.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Romans 12:2)

That transformation is not always easy. Sometimes it involves struggle, sacrifice, and denying ourselves. But that is part of discipleship.

Following Christ has never been about pretending temptation does not exist. It is about refusing to let temptation become our master.

And the truth is, every one of us stands in need of God’s grace, forgiveness, and strength.

Not All Bubbles Rise the Same: Strength That Helps Others Grow

The next time you are near an aquarium, don’t watch the fish, pay attention to the bubbles. I’m convinced you will notice something simple and surprisingly meaningful, but something you’ve never taken the time to think about. All the bubbles rise—but not all in the same way. 

Some bubbles are large and move quickly, almost effortlessly. Others are small and drift around on their way upward at a little slower rate. Some rise in a straight line, while others slide along the glass. And every now and then, a bubble gets caught on a plant or decoration, pausing for a time before finally continuing upward.

When you think about it, that’s a lot like the Christian life.

All believers are moving toward Christ, but not at the same pace or in the same way. Some Christians appear strong, steady, and confident. Others struggle. Some hesitate. A few get “stuck” along the way. And that raises an important question:  What should strong Christians do with the weaknesses of others?

The Bible’s answer is both clear and challenging:  help them rise.

In Romans 15:1, Paul writes, “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.” That word “bear” means more than simply putting up with someone. It means to support them, to carry them, to come alongside them. Spiritual strength is not given to us so we can stand above others—it is given so we can lift them up.

That simple shift in our perspective changes how we see people. Instead of becoming frustrated with someone who is slower to grow, we become more patient. Instead of criticizing at every turn, we look for ways to help them navigate. Why? Well, one reason is that we remember that we’ve had moments where we struggled, drifted, or got stuck ourselves.

But maintaining strength also requires care and attention. In 1 Corinthians 8:9, Paul warns, “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” Sometimes those who are less mature in the faith are more easily influenced. A careless attitude, a harsh word, or even the unwise use of our freedom can discourage them or shake their confidence. What we do can cause them to stumble!

That’s why love must guide knowledge. It’s not just about what we have the right to do—it’s about what is helpful for others.

Because of this, strong Christians are intentional in building others up around them. Romans 14:19 says, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” When we edify each other, it means we aim to build each other up. Every interaction we have is an opportunity to strengthen someone else’s faith. A kind word, a patient answer, or simple encouragement can make a lasting difference in someone who feels uncertain or weak.

And when we see someone’s weakness showing itself in sin, our response is still shaped by love. Galatians 6:1 teaches, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” Notice the emphasis here is on our having gentleness and humility. Restoration is not about proving a point—it’s about helping someone get back on their feet. The act of restoring others remembers that none of us are beyond stumbling.

Above all, as in everything, we look to Jesus. As Romans 15:3 reminds us, “For even Christ did not please himself…” Even though He had all authority, He chose compassion. He was patient with those who were slow to understand and gentle with those who had fallen. He did not crush weakness—He provided strength to rise up.

So when we see others struggling in their faith, think back on what a simple aquarium teaches us:  Every bubble is rising—but not every bubble rises the same way. Some are fast, some are slow, and some need a little time before they move again.

Strong Christians don’t rush ahead and forget the others around them. They don’t criticize or create obstacles in their wake. They help. They encourage. They walk alongside.

Because in God’s design, true strength is not measured by how quickly we rise—but by how faithfully we help others rise with us.

When Our Past Gains Weight

I recently learned that German culture has an interesting word that sounds funny to Americans—Kummerspeck. It comes from Germany, and it literally means “grief bacon.” 

The word describes the weight someone might gain during a season of sorrow. Often, when grief settles into our hearts, it shows up in our habits, energy levels, and even on our bathroom scales.

That word reminds us of an important truth:  what we carry inside eventually shows up somewhere.

The same thing can happen to us spiritually.

What Does a Bread Machine Teach Us About Worship?

I enjoy using my bread machine. There’s something quietly satisfying about pouring in the ingredients, closing the lid, and letting it do its work. A little flour, some water, sugar, a packet of yeast—and before long, the whole loaf begins to change. That small amount of yeast works its way through everything. You don’t see it happening, but there is no way you can miss the results.

That experience has helped me think more carefully about a conversation I had with a friend who said it didn’t really matter whether the bread used in Communion was leavened or not. On one level, I understand the sentiment. God cares about the heart, not the recipe. But Scripture also shows us that God teaches through symbols—and when it comes to leaven, the Bible is remarkably consistent. And—if you’ve ever watched yeast do its work in making bread, that consistency starts to make a lot of sense.

Forgiveness is the Sweetest Word in the World

You know, sometimes the best ideas for sermons don’t arrive while you’re staring at a blank page—they sneak up on you in the middle of someone else’s sermon. That’s what happened to me last week while listening to my brother-in-law preach. He said something simple, almost in passing, but it hit me like a hymnbook falling off the back of a pew:  “Forgiveness is the sweetest word in the world.”

Now, I’m not usually one to steal material… but I am willing to borrow it aggressively, so . . . 

Why Baptism Is Necessary According to Scripture

Baptism has been a subject of a lot of discussion among sincere believers. Some see it as simply a symbol of faith, while others understand it as being an essential part of responding to the gospel. But have you ever asked, “What does Scripture actually teach?”

The Upside-Down Kingdom: Living by the Values of Jesus

When I was younger, I remember hearing a story about how hunters used to catch monkeys in parts of Asia and Africa. It’s really kind of simple. They take a hollow gourd, tie it to a tree, and cut a small hole in the side. The hole is just big enough for a monkey’s open hand to fit through. Then they drop a piece of fruit or something shiny inside. The curious monkey reaches in, grabs the treat, and suddenly finds its clenched fist is too big to pull back out. All it would have to do to escape is let go of what it is holding. But it doesn’t. It stubbornly holds on to what it wants, and that keeps it trapped until the hunter arrives.

We can smile at the foolishness of that little monkey—but we shouldn’t laugh too hard. Spiritually speaking, we do the same thing.

Singing From the Heart: God’s Way of Worship

When you think about worship, what comes to mind? For some, it’s the sound of a choir, the swell of an organ, or the strum of a guitar. For others, it’s the simple, unaccompanied voices of Christians singing together. But instead of asking, “What do I prefer?” or “What sounds good to me?”—the better question is:  “What does God want?”

Jesus as Lord and Savior: Faith, Struggle, and True Success

As Christians, when we say that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, we are really acknowledging two sides of an incredible relationship. As our Savior, Jesus rescues us from sin and offers us eternal life through His death and resurrection (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). As our Lord, He calls us to live under His authority, surrendering our lives to His guidance and leadership (Luke 6:46; Philippians 2:9–11). Both are essential. Receiving Him as Savior gives us hope for eternity, but recognizing Him as Lord changes how we live every day.

Think of the lifeguard at the beach. If you are drowning and the lifeguard pulls you out of the water—that’s salvation. But if the same lifeguard then tells you, “Don’t go back into that dangerous current,” following his instructions is an act of obedience to his lordship. Jesus doesn’t just save us from death; He leads us into a new way of living.

A Garden and a Grave

 (A Communion Table Talk)

This morning, I want to take you to two places that hold deep meaning in the story of our salvation:  a garden . . . and a grave.

The two don’t seem like they go together.  A garden is where things grow.  A grave is where things end.  But in the story of Jesus, they’re both central — and they both tell the truth of the gospel.

Blood, Sweat, and Wood: The Gospel in Three Simple Things

If you are like me, sometimes, while reading the Bible, something small and unexpected grabs your attention. It’s not what I was looking for—but it won’t let go of me. That’s how I recently stumbled into noticing three surprisingly ordinary things that appear again and again in Scripture:  blood, sweat, and wood.

Christ and His Church: Getting the Order Right

When you hear the word "church," what comes to mind? A building? A group of people you’ve grown up around? A denomination? A social group with a religious focus? For many, the church is familiar. But in that familiarity, something vital can be lost—namely, what the church is, who established it, and why that matters deeply.