What Are The Desires Of My Heart?

Aug 16, 2024

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“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” That familiar verse from Psalm 37 begs the question: “What are the desires of my heart?”

We may be so interested in getting what we desire that we forget the other side of the equation—delighting in the Lord. Today, we’ll talk about desires—and how they can either direct us or distract us.

The Nature of Desire

Think about a time in your life when you didn’t want anything. You can’t do it, can you? Desire is an inherent part of being human—whether you’re looking for love, money, success, attention, peace, or just something quick to eat. Desire can be a positive or negative force in your life.

A desire to pay off debts or save for a car can motivate a person to work harder and spend less. A desire for attention can lead to buying flashy clothes or a fancy car one can’t afford. A desire for power might convince someone they need to put themselves first. The desire to protect and nurture children is part of what makes families work.

God’s Design and Human Choice

God knows this about us. He made us that way. Genesis 1 tells us Adam and Eve were created in God’s image, perfectly designed for a relationship with each other and the Lord. In His wisdom and love for His creation, God set boundaries and allowed humankind to choose whether to obey Him or not. Adam and Eve desired independence, and as a result, their rebellion severed that perfect relationship with God.

So, what are the desires of your heart? There are many things you can want, most of which probably seem good to you. But if you’re a Christian, you must ask if what you desire draws you away from your Creator, who has called you to:

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” - Colossians 3:2

Desires: Distraction vs. Direction

Desire can either distract us or direct us in our walk with the Lord. Sometimes, your desires can distract you from following Jesus, with dire consequences. James 1:14 explains:

“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”

Paul warns Christians about immoral behavior in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, reminding us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and should glorify God.

On the other hand, desires that align with God’s will can direct you away from sin and into a deeper walk with Jesus. As Jesus told his followers in Matthew 5:6:

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

David wrote about the desires that please God in Psalm 40:8—“I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”

The Transformation of Desires

When Jesus is your Savior and Lord, He gives you a new heart and identity as a child of God. Your old nature and old desires don’t define you anymore. You can choose to let those old desires back into your life, but they will distract you. It takes prayer and discipline, but when you choose to delight in the Lord’s ways each day, He will refocus your desires on Him and His purposes.

Psalm 37 is full of instructions for living in a way that pleases the Lord:

Trust the Lord.
Do good to others all the time.
Make faithfulness a way of life.
Offer your plans to Him every day.
Wait patiently for God’s guidance.
Don’t let anger control you.
Don’t be anxious about what evil people do.

Ephesians 5:1 sums this up by reminding us that Christians who desire God more than anything else look just like Jesus:

“Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

When your desires align with God’s, you will find perfect peace.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

As sole proprietors, do we tithe off the gross, the profit, or the net?
Are there any biblical reasons or red flags I should know when considering a business partnership?
I have $58,000 in a 403(b), and one option is to take an annuity that would pay me $400 per month starting now or $586 per month starting when I turn 70. Is an annuity a good investment?

Resources Mentioned:

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