Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Thursday October 7, 2010

Not long ago I was referring to Colossians 3:5:

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

You have probably guessed the word that caught attention and brought forth questions, so I was called upon to explain. Admittedly the word, "concupiscence" is not part of our everyday language any more. The word means strong desire, and desire in itself is not bad but when coupled with "evil" you have a world of problem to deal with. "Evil concupiscence" is defined in Strong's Concordance thusly:

G1939 epithumia (3) epithumia ep-ee-thoo-mee'-ah from 1937; a longing (especially for what is forbidden):--concupiscence, desire, lust (after).

This term is usually associated with sexual desire; when evil is used it means as Melvin Branham said when speaking to a group of men some years ago:

"Evil Concupiscence: A compelling desire for that which is forbidden. This compulsion is destructive to inner peace and normal desires; and the consummation of the forbidden desire is utterly so."

It is important for men and women to grasp the truth here, in that the actual act is not discussed here, but the thought is so reprehensible to the Lord that even the thought is to be put to death, not the person, but the longing thought for that which is forbidden. Entire tomes have been written on the mental, emotional and spiritual torment on this compulsion for forbidden fruit. The term "Unrequited Love" is often used to describe this torment. In our verse forbidden sexual desire is the subject, but a compulsion for other forbidden fruit is also in play here. "Salacious thinking" as used by W.A. Criswell when he commented on the supposed conversion of Hustler Magazine publisher, Larry Flynt. Scandalous thoughts can lead to scandalous acts.

Martin Luther commenting on this thought problem stated,

"I cannot prevent birds from flying through the air, but I can and must prevent them from building a nest in my hair."

Many verses in God's Word give help in overcoming this Adamic tendency and thus freeing our mind and heart from this compulsion in 2 Corinthians 10:5:

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Larry Lilly Copyright © Use with credit

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