Let's look at three words from these two verses in the NIV: desire, desire, covet.
1. The first desire is hēdonē (hay-don-ay').
It means a sensual delight, a lust or pleasure. OK - In your head you hear that and you think of sex. But, what gives you sensual delight? My list includes a soft, soft cake with lots of frosting, a warm bath with a good book, a good time with girl-friends sharing our hearts in laughter and tears, walking on a path where the trees on either side meet together above my head. Sounds nice? Sounds really nice. It comes from the word that means "to please". And in those things, yes - I am pleased. Yet, the fights and quarrels come because these sweet things aren't so sweet when they become gods... when I want my own hēdonēs even if it means you don't get yours. Or when I eat a whole soft, soft cake with lots of frosting in one day. And when I take a hot bath instead of working. And when I'm jealous of someone because she has a closer relationship to another friend. Or when I feel like I can only worship God when I'm under the leaves.
2. Now we get to the second desire, epithumeō (ep-ee-thoo-meh'-o).
This is when you set your heart upon something, longing for something with all your heart. It also can mean when you would do something gladly as in "My pleasure!" I am longing for my wedding day (5 months and 2 days away). No problem. Me walking around miserably for the next 5 months and 2 days - that's making it an idol. Or thinking that my value as a person is going to be finally made official on that day... That's when people start killing. Things like having a successful business or a large house or an over-flowing Bible study or having a group of friends who love us... those aren't bad things in themselves. If my heart is worshiping them, then we have a problem.
3. And now we get to the word covet, zēloō (dzay-lo'-o).
You know when something "moves" you? Stirs you up - makes you light up a little? Gives you a warm feeling? Well - that's literally this word: having a warm feeling. And it goes both ways - the good way or the bad way. But it doesn't just stop at the feeling - it's a motivating factor. So, when you see something you like but then your heart wants to reach for it (even if your hands don't) - thats your zēloōing... wanting something to make you happy. My soft, fluffy bed. The recognition from someone that I'm doing a good job. Proving myself a the one who was Right in an argument. Hearing false-teaching that justifies my sins. Come on, ring my bells!
I might be disappointed when the Sunday School lesson didn't go as planned. I might be disappointed that I didn't get the house cleaned because my child was sick. I might be disappointed that I didn't get applauded for all the work I did on the banquet. So... here's our test: So often my "bad mood" is not just a bad mood... but sin. It's when I take a hēdonē and grow it into a epithumeō and then zēloō. When my bad mood strikes - I have three questions to ask myself.
*Is there something really good that I didn't get?
*Was my heart finding value in that?
*Did I think it would make me happy?
It's hard. It's really hard. But, here's the good news: our hope doesn't have to be in things like a good Sunday School lesson... or having the dishes done... or in man's praises. We have a higher hope.
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God... (Palm 43:5)
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