"Unchecked Desires: What You Crave May Be Holding You Back"

June 24th, 2025

Introduction:

In today’s world, desires and cravings are more accessible than ever before. The temptation to indulge in immediate gratification is all around us, especially in an age dominated by social media, advertisements, and the constant pressure to be someone else. But what happens when these cravings, whether for food, attention, or material possessions, begin to control us? What happens when our desire for things overtakes our devotion to God?

Desires are a natural part of human life. God created us with the ability to desire, but it’s how we manage those desires that can make all the difference. When left unchecked, cravings can lead to sin and idolatry. One of the clearest examples of this is the unchecked craving for food, which is often overlooked in spiritual conversations. But when you can’t control what goes in, how can you control what comes out?

The Power of Craving and Desire:

We live in a world where many people have become oversimplified and under-disciplined, particularly in their desires. Cravings aren’t inherently bad—they were created by God. But when desires are not submitted to God, they have the power to control us. Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” This verse speaks directly to the battle for our hearts and desires. When we crave things more than God, those things can become our masters, ruling over our lives.

Consider the cravings for dopamine over devotion. Whether it’s food, attention, or material possessions, what we crave the most can easily become an idol in our lives. The danger of this craving is that it can cloud our ability to hear God clearly, to act according to His will, and to live in obedience to His Word.

The Role of Gluttony and Uncontrolled Desires:

In many Christian circles, the topic of gluttony is rarely discussed, despite the fact that it is a powerful form of idolatry. Gluttony isn’t just about overeating—it’s about a craving for more than we need, whether it’s food, drink, or anything else. Philippians 3:19 reminds us, “Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.”

What happens when we crave food—or anything—more than we crave God? We begin to make it our master. And when that craving goes unchecked, we allow it to control our thoughts, our actions, and even our prayers. It's no different from the other desires we have: the craving for lust, greed, or validation. If we don’t manage these cravings, they can cycle us deeper into sin.

Breaking the Cycle:

What if the things you crave more than God are what are holding you back from true freedom? Maybe it’s not a demon you need to fight against, but an uncontrolled desire that you’ve allowed to take root in your heart. John 8:36 says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” But freedom only comes when we surrender our cravings to God. When we resist the temptation to serve those cravings, we open the door for true freedom to take root.

A Powerful Example: Lot’s Wife

One powerful story from the Bible that illustrates this battle is the story of Lot’s wife. In Genesis 19:26, after God told Lot and his family to flee from the city of Sodom and not look back, Lot’s wife looked back, and she turned into a pillar of salt. Why did she look back? Her heart was still tied to what she had left behind. She craved the things of the past, and it cost her dearly.

Just like Lot’s wife, many of us find ourselves looking back, holding onto things that God is asking us to leave behind. These things—whether lust, idolatry, or gluttony—cannot move forward with us into the new season that God has planned for our lives. Hebrews 12:1 urges us, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” What is God asking you to leave behind in this season?

Judas and the Power of Greed

Another example of how unchecked desires can become our master is found in the story of Judas. Judas, one of Jesus' closest followers, was in the inner circle, yet he allowed his desire for money to control him. In Matthew 26:14-16, we read that Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. His craving for wealth overtook his devotion to Christ. Even when he was in the presence of the Son of God, his desires led him to make a choice that would change his life forever.

Judas’ story is a reminder that we can be in close proximity to God and still let our desires lead us away from Him. It’s easy to think that our cravings are harmless, but they have the potential to steal our devotion and shift our focus away from God.

Reflection and Surrender:

What if the thing you crave the most is what's holding you back from your prayers and your relationship with God? What if what you crave more than peace is the object of your desire itself? Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

If we continually crave what is opposite of God or what He can give us, then it’s time to reposition our hearts and surrender those desires to Him. The Bible is full of stories of people who had to leave behind desires that held them back from God's best for their lives—whether it was Lot’s wife, Judas, or even the Israelites in the wilderness.

Conclusion:

The truth is, unchecked desires are not just urges; they are invitations into cycles of sin. When we crave what is not of God and allow those desires to rule us, we risk making them our masters. But when we allow God to be the ruler of our desires, we open ourselves up to true freedom. Let today be the day you begin to surrender your cravings to God, allowing Him to be your true Master and ruler of your heart.

Scripture References:

• Matthew 6:24 - "No one can serve two masters."

• Philippians 3:19 - "Their god is their stomach..."

• John 8:36 - "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

• Genesis 19:26 - Lot's wife turned into a pillar of salt for looking back.

• Matthew 26:14-16 - Judas betrays Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

• Hebrews 12:1 - "Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles."

• Matthew 6:21 - "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

How Do Allow The Lord To Check My Desires?

Allowing the Lord to check your desires is a journey that requires intentionality, self-discipline, and a deep connection with God. It involves putting your flesh in alignment with the Spirit, so that you can gain control over what you crave and allow the Lord to shape your desires according to His will. Here’s how you can actively invite God into this process:

1. Fasting and Praying: Aligning Your Flesh with the Spirit

One of the most powerful ways to check your desires is through fasting and praying. Fasting isn’t just about abstaining from food—it’s about putting your flesh in submission so that your spirit can be in alignment with God’s will. When you fast, you're making a conscious choice to deny your physical cravings and make room for the Spirit to work in you.

Praying without fasting is like staring at a temptation without making a decision to take control. It’s about letting the things that tempt you back into your life. However, when you fast and pray with intention, you’re taking a stand to ask God for clarity, peace, and transformation.

2. Fill the Void: Don’t Just Let Go, But Fill Up

Another reason why many people fall back into their old cravings and desires is because they try to let go of something without replacing it with something of greater value. It's like trying to clean out a room without filling it with something better.

When you surrender a craving to God, you must replace it with a passion for God—whether it’s through walking in prayer, reading the Word, or serving others. This keeps the desire to sin at bay, as you’re filling your life with something that brings life, rather than empty space that invites old temptations back in.

3. Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

Change isn’t always easy, and growth often requires us to step out of our comfort zones. Sometimes the hardest part is embracing the discomfort of change. But growth happens when we push through that discomfort. It’s crucial to seek God even when it’s uncomfortable, knowing that He will meet you right where you are.

Ask the Lord to lead you, to guide your steps, and give you the strength to let go of things that are holding you back. Surrender your emotions to God in prayer—don’t hold back. Let your emotions indicate that you need to be at the feet of the Father, not dictate your desires.

4. Make Jesus the Focus, Not the Desire

This is perhaps the most important point: Make Jesus the center of your focus. Instead of saying, “I’m going to stop sinning,” or “I’m going to control my cravings,” shift your focus to Jesus. Look at Him in every moment of temptation or hunger. When you focus on Him, rather than your desires, He becomes the center of your attention.

When Jesus is at the center, every chain of bondage begins to fall off. The more we seek Him in those moments of temptation, the less power the temptation has over us. Your focus and devotion to Jesus are the most effective tools in overcoming your desires and cravings.

5. Understand That This Is a Process

This walk with God is a process. We never have it all together, and that's okay. We are constantly in a state of transformation. The key is to choose to walk in freedom each day, and the next day, and the next. Surrendering our desires to God is not a one-time act, but a continuous process that requires us to daily submit our flesh and our cravings to His will.

Reflection & Action Steps:

• Fast with Intentionality: Start a fast to deny your flesh and seek God's will. Allow the Holy Spirit to align your desires with His.

• Fill the Void: Replace old cravings with a passion for God—whether that’s more time in prayer, reading the Word, or serving others.

• Embrace Discomfort: Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Growth requires stepping out of our comfort zones and trusting God in the process.

• Focus on Jesus: In moments of temptation, shift your focus from the desire to Jesus. Let Him be the center of your attention and your strength.

• Remember the Process: This is a journey. Keep walking in freedom, one step at a time.

Closing Prayer:

Lord, I surrender my desires to You. I choose to focus on You, and not on what tempts me or pulls me away. Help me to fast, pray, and fill the void with Your presence. Guide my steps and give me the strength to stay in alignment with Your will. I trust You to break the chains of my cravings and desires, and I commit to walking in freedom each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.