The Doctrine of the Lust Grid

I. Definition: the Greek word translated lust is evpiqumi,a epithumia , a compound of over; above and passion; wrath , hence strong desire or emotion. The Hebrew word dmx chamad carries the same nuance, and is usually translated by epithumia in the Septuagint (LXX). cp Ps 19:10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
II. Cognate words:
A. evpiqume,w epithume ; verb to strongly desire Lk 17:22 And He said to the disciples, The days shall come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it.
B. h`donh hdon ; noun pleasure; that which is pleasurable Ti 3:3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures
C. o;rexij orexis ; noun sexual desire (1x) Rom 1:27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another
D. evpipoqe,w epipothe ; verb to earnestly long for; yearn 2 Cor 5:2 For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven
E. pa,qoj pathos ; noun evil or corrupt desire (used Classically as an affliction of the mind ; with lust = depraved); Col 3:5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry

III. Biblical Usage:
A. It is a neutral word per se, context dictates whether it is sinful or legitimate. Mk 4:19 and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
B. It can be used of legitimate emotion, a strong desire to fulfill Gods Will. Heb 6:11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end,
C. It is used of the general attitude of desiring that which one does not possess. Lk 16:21 and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man's table
D. For the purposes of this study, the usage will be confined to the illegitimate desires of the Sin Nature, with categorizations of those trends most prevalent.

IV. The Origin of the Lust Grid
A. The desire for something as yet unpossessed was first manifested by Eve, after the temptation and deception by the serpent. Gen 3:6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise
B. It is important to specify that although the woman desired the fruit, with the knowledge it promised, no sin was committed until she actually ate.
C. Up to this point, there was no desire, or lust, for anything; everything they needed or wanted had been provided.
D. The man, realizing his choice was now between a relationship with God and with his wife, desired her presence more than Gods.
E. So the lust grid came first, then the sin. cp Js 1:14-15 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.
F. The lust, or desire itself is not sinful only the reaction that carries it into STA activity (mental, verbal, or overt).

V. The Lust Grid in connection with sin:
A. Jesus made it clear that mental attitude sinning is on an equal par with overt sins. Mental attitude lusting carries the same penalty as overt sin. Mt 5:28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
B. Pride and arrogance in the lust grid are an abomination before the Lord. Pro 16:5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.
C. The lust grid, combined with mental attitude sinning, is what leads to overt sins and violations. Js 4:2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.
D. Satan and his agents promote sin and sinful activities; it is not Gods Directive Will for men to desire that which is illegitimate. 1 Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

VI. The Lust Grid and Negative Volition
A. Unsaved man has no alternative but to live according to the Sin Nature and their individual lust grid only the believer can overrule sin in their life. Eph 2:3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
B. Satans lust grid is carried on in unregenerate man. Jn 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father.
C. Those who ridicule the Word of God follow the lust grid. 2 Pet 3:3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,
D. There are satanically inspired counterfeit Christians who will seek to promote the lust grid among true believers. 2Pet 2:17-19 These are springs without water, and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.
E. The lust grid, in connection with the Sin Nature and negative volition, is the source of evil activities of man. (no such thing as the Devil made me do it) 2Pet 1:4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

VII. The Lust Grid after Salvation
A. Salvation is the only means of overcoming and defeating the Lust Grid: Gal 5:24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
B. There is a constant, unrelenting war in the body of every believer, between the lust grid and the desire to apply Gods Will. Gal 5:16-17 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
C. The lust grid continually seeks to bring the soul back under the enslavement of the Sin Nature with its manifestations and evil desires. 1 Pet 2:11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.
D. Scripture is our guide for avoiding and repelling the lust grids advances. 1 Cor 10:6 Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved.
E. Bible Doctrine is the means of learning what is a sinful desire, and avoiding the temptation to succumb to the STA. Ti 2:12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age
F. Only by Gods Word can we identify the areas of the lust grid we should avoid. Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, YOU SHALL NOT COVET.
G. There is nothing illegitimate about a desire, per se it is only when we compromise Doctrine in order to fulfill that desire that we step into sinful activity. Lk 22:15 And He said to them, "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer (lit with desire, I have desired)
H. The Indwelling Sin Nature is responsible for tempting us to involve ourselves in the lust grid Romans 7:8 But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead.
I. Following the lust grid renders the believers prayers ineffective. Js 4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

J. When a desire, legitimate or not, replaces BD as the believers first priority, they cease to produce Divine Good, becoming casualties in the Angelic Conflict. Mk 4:19 but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
K. Believers should reject the temptations of the Sin Nature, and avoid any situation or circumstance that tempts the lust grids areas of weakness (or strength). Rom 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
L. The believer is to resist the temptations of the lust grid, in whatever form it may assert its influence. Rom 6:12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts
M. As believers, we are obligated to identify and resist the temptations of our own lust grids. Col 3:5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
N. This is accomplished by resisting the Sin Nature, avoiding sinful activity and maintaining the Filling of the Holy Spirit. Eph 4:22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit
O. Following the lust grid, without interruption, is a form of slavery. Ti 3:3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.
P. It is ignorance of BD that enslaves us to the lust grid. 1 Pet 1:14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance
Q. Unremitting, unrepentant, and continuous followers of their particular lust grid have no DGP in the Plan of God. 1Cor 6:9-10 Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
R. Separation from those who consistently fail to overrule their lust grid is commanded of the believer. 1 Cor 5:11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called (LIT ANYONE BEING CALLED/ NAMED) brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler-- not even to eat with such a one.
S. The Sin Nature and the lust grid will be done away with, believers carry no STA into Ph3. 1 Jn 2:17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

VIII. Areas of the Lust Grid
A. Approbation lust, the desire for attention and respect from others, is associated with flattery and power. Jd 1:16 These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage.
B. Emotionalism lust enslaves the individual into following their emotions and inducing others to follow it as well. Rom 16:18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites (LIT BELLY THE GREEKS BELIEVED THAT THE EMOTIONS WERE CONTAINED IN THE INNERMOST PORTIONS OF THE STOMACH, THEREFORE THE ANALOGY TO FOLLOWING ONES EMOTIONS); and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.
C. Materialism lust, or greed. Col 3:5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
D. Hedonism lust, the desire for physical pleasure, is rampant among the negative. 1Th 4:3-5 For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God
E. Money lust, the inordinate and overruling desire for wealth at the expense of all else, is the beginning factor in destruction of the Christian life. 1 Tim 6:9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.
F. Power lust, with its desire for authority and control, is manifested among those who seek to bring others under their influence. Gal 4:17 They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them.
G. Certain areas of the lust grid are evident in all mankind, while others are limited to certain groups.
1. individuals in adolescence 2 Tim 2:22 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
2. women who violate MPR 2 Tim 3:6 For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses
3. negative believers of the last days 2 Tim 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires

IX. Unrepentant pursuit of fulfillment of the lust grid is grounds for Gods discipline. Rom 1:24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.


Hope Bible Church
2001