20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If indeed ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

I. Temporal Desire is Futile and Fatal...resulting in:

Unfruitfulness Mr 4:19 cares this world, deceitfulness of riches, desire for other things enter in, choke the word, which becomes unfruitful; Lu 8:14 choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

Ignorance Eph 4:17

Slavery Titus 3:1-3

Inner war I Pt 1:11

Following Satan Jn 8:44

Uncleanness & Dishonor Ro 1:24 

Unanswered prayer Js 4:3

Mocking God 2Pe 3:3 Jd 1:18

Disharmony Jas 4:1;

Dissatisfied grumbling & complaining Jude 1:16

Proneness to sin 2Pe 2:18...they allure through the lusts of the flesh 2Ti 3:6; 2Ti 4:3; 2Pe 2:10 

Abandonment by God Ps 81:12 I gave them up to their own hearts' desire: they walked in their own counsels. (cf Ro 1:24)

Wrath Eph 2:3...in lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath

Death Js 1:15; Waste of life 1Ti 6:9 lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

Loss of Reward/Inheritance Ga 5:19 Now the outworkings of the desire for the temporal are obvious: self-centered gratification of needs and wants, random indulgence of impure and sexual thoughts, being unfit for approaching and serving God, self-indulgent pleasure craving, 20 doing what comes naturally to get what you want, seeking power and control (security and significance) apart from God's provision, friction and hostility caused by exercising personal preferences, harassing or nagging until you get what you want, resenting someone because they have what you want, getting angry or irritable or in a bad temper when things don't go your way, self-promotion at the expense of others, being quick to contend with others particularly in taking sides, choosing what you want independent of Christ and His Body, 21 being discontent because you don't have something you think would contribute to your happiness, depriving others of their rights in order to reach your objectives, escaping responsibility or reality by dulling your senses, deriving greater delight and satisfaction from things that are created rather than from the Creator, and any other self-seeking rather than God-glorifying attitudes and actions, of which I tell you, as I have also told you in time past, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

II. Our Temporal Desire must be replaced with God's Perfect Eternal Desire (Romans 12:1-2)

A. TAKE IT OFF 22 put off concerning the former manner of life the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

Repent 2Co 12:21  sinned & have not repented of the uncleanness and immorality and lasciviousness which they have committed.

Crucify Desires Ga 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and desires/lusts.

Kill it Col 3:5 Mortify the temporal...immorality, uncleanness, affection, evil desire/lust, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Erase & Don't Embrace Jas 1:14...tempted...drawn away by his own lust...enticed 15...desire is embraced/conceived...sin...death.

Dethrone Desire Ro 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in its lusts. (cf Rom 13:12)

Abstain like a Backpacker 1Pe 2:11...as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul (Heb 12:3)

B. BE RENEWING/CLEANED UP 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

Transplant the desire of our Father 1Jo 2:16 all in the world, lust of the flesh... eyes...pride...not from the Father...passes...abides

Be Controlled by the Word of the Spirit Ga 5:16 Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Know God 1Th 4:3 this is the will of God, your sanctification, that ye should abstain from immorality: 4 That each one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification & honour; 5 Not in the lust of passion, as the Gentiles who know not God

Desire the Word Ps 19:10 More to be desired 02530 than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

C. PUT IT ON 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Flee, Follow & Fellowship 2Ti 2:22 Flee lusts...follow righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them...call on the Lord...pure heart.

Pursue the Promises 2Pe 1:4...exceeding great and precious promises...partakers of the divine...escaped the corruption thru lust.

Embrace the Grace Tit 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts...live soberly, righteously, and godly...

Don't Plan Ro 13:14 put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the lusts of flesh.

Be mentally tough, objective driven, reward motivated, obedient, smart, self-remade, & different 1Pe 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15...be holy

Mentally Arm Yourself with Love then SUFFER (self-sacrifice for another's best) 1Pe 4:1...as Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same mind: for he that has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the desires of men, but to the desire of God. 3 For we've had enough time to have engaged in the desires of the Gentiles, when we lived without self-denial, always desiring more, craving champagne dreams, late night partying, getting high, and unscriptural service of God-substitutes.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Can you give an example of how your desires have changed? What prompted and what was the process of change?

2. Why don't people buy the deadliness of desire? What could help someone see and believe?

3. What helps you keep your new clothes on when your old desires pound on your door? Do you suffer?

4. Name three desires that you've taken through the process of "Take off, Be Renewed, Put on." What motivated you to do it?

5. What desires are still lingering around and causing you to stink? What are you going to do about them?