Passions and Desires (PADs)

Passion and envy are like rottenness to the bones. Proverbs 14:30b

          The world and even Christians like to use the word passion with a positive connotation.  However, according to Galatians 5:24, we should crucify our passions and desires.  Passion can be defined as ‘the state of being acted upon.’  Basically you are not in control of yourself.  You can see this in 1 Corinthians 7:9, “but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”  Passion brings with it a lack of self-control.  Proverbs 14:30b in the Amplified even says, “passion and envy are like rottenness to the bones.”  Think of a person that labels themselves as a passionate Yankees fan.  They are going to watch every game, regardless of what is going on.  You may be thinking, what is wrong with being passionate for God?  If you are being controlled by your passion to do Godly things, you can miss God’s leading when He tells you to do something different.  This will actually take you into sin.

          If we do not crucify our passions and desires, we fall into the PAD progression.  James 1:14-15 says, “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.  Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”  So we have a PAD (Passion and Desire) that entices or tempts us.  Then the PAD gives birth to sin.  Then sin brings forth death.  Romans 7:5 and 7:8 says that sin “arouses and awakens” more evil passions and desires.  Romans 7:8a says, “But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire.”  Romans 7:5b AMPC says, “..the sinful passions that were awakened and aroused up by [what] the Law [makes sin] were constantly operating in our natural powers (in our bodily organs, in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh), so that we bore fruit for death.”  These PADs operate in a cycle that ultimately lead to death unless you crucify them and then let God lead your life, not the PADs.  If you do not crucify them, you will fall into Jonah 2:8, “Those who regard worthless idols forsake their own Mercy.”  You will make your PADs an idol and forsake God’s plan for your life.  This will lead to death.  Crucify your PADs!