The Desire for Sensual Gratification – The Tenth Commandment

The Desire for Sensual Gratification

Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21

“And you shall not covet…”

Philippians 3:18, 19

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

Bulletin: it’s not all about the flesh!

In our day the dominant culture has determined that high on the list of human priorities must be the gratification of our sensual desires. Sensual gratification, of course, is not wrong. God created sex, wondrously delicious foods, the arts and leisure, and even rest. There is a place for realizing the pleasure God wants us to have in our bodily experience. The problem comes in, as it exists in our culture, when sensual gratification becomes the driving force in our lives. When all our choices and decisions are designed merely to make us more comfortable, to bring us more fleshly delight, or to provide us with enjoyment, entertainment, and ease, then sensual experience has become the end we seek above all else. Our god has become our belly, and covetousness is running our lives. When the gratification of the flesh is our main focus, the soul becomes the servant to the body, which is exactly the opposite of what God intends. Coveting sensual experience thus turns our lives upside-down and sets us on a joy ride that can only lead to a bridge out somewhere down the road. Nurture your soul to govern the desires of the flesh, and you will find that the rightful desires of your senses, as you enjoy them in the presence of God, will satisfy more than mere fleshly gratification can ever provide.

What are some ways that the world tries to convince us that satisfying our sensual desires is the most important thing in life?

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“In the Gates” is a devotional series on the Law of God by Rev. T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is editor of the Worldview Church. He serves as dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He is the author or editor of twenty books, and has contributed chapters to four others. His essays, reviews, articles, papers, and poetry have appeared in dozens of national and international journals, and on a wide range of websites. His most recent books are The Ailbe Psalter and The Ground for Christian Ethics (Waxed Tablet).

Scripture quotations in this article are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (c) copyright 2001,2007 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Editor’s note: The use of a translation other than the Authorised Version in an article does not constitute an endorsement in whole or in part by The Christian Observer.