8 Reasons Why God Created Me With Desires But Calls To Deny Them
Understanding Man’s Sinful Nature: God created us with purpose and desires, but when sin entered mankind, free will corrupted them. As a result, our flesh desires what opposes God. They conflict with each other, so you are not to do whatever you want” (Galatians 5:17). Instead of soothing these desires, we must deny them so we can be free and experience being fully alive in Christ. [Born this way]
1. Enemy Within: Denying Sin Silences The Enemy
Sins such as fornication or porn addiction are natural desires that come from within. However, they’re sinful. Author Kris Lundgaard called it “the enemy within“—our own desires turned against their Creator when, after the fall, what He made for love and worship turned inward, “seeking self” instead of Him.
That’s why God calls us to deny sinful desires—not to steal joy, but to free us from its bondage because denying our sinful nature restores God’s original intention and silences the enemy within us that seeks to destroy us.
1 Peter 2:11
“Abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.”
HOW TO OVERCOME SINFUL NATURE.
2. Obedience Demonstrates That We Trust God
In Gethsemane, Jesus expressed His human desire to avoid the suffering of the cross—”Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). This does not mean Jesus opposed the Father’s plan, but in His humanity, Jesus submitted His will completely to the Father’s.
Jesus’ obedience unto death showed what it truly means to trust and obey God amid deep suffering. Likewise, when we suffer for obedience, we share in Christ’s suffering and are made more like Him.
Hebrews 4:15
“He was tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin.”
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A CHRISTIAN SINS?
3. Denying Self Is the Path to Something Greater
Just as Jesus denied Himself, God calls us to do the same—not because He delights in our suffering, but because self-denial and perseverance lead to knowledge, joy, and lasting fruit. True happiness is found not in indulgence but in surrender, just as Christ yielded His will to the Father in Gethsemane.
Denying sin closes the door to blessing, but walking in righteousness brings favor—not only to you but to your household (Proverbs 3:33). The prayer of the righteous carries great power and is heard by God (James 5:16).
Luke 9:23
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Matthew 16:25
“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
WHY YOU STRUGGLE WITH PORN: Michael John Cusick.
4. Obedience Glorifies God that Leads to Righteousness
Satan accused Job of loving God only because of His blessings. Had Job fallen, Satan would have mocked God and used disobedience to bring Him shame. But Job’s steadfast obedience glorified God and revealed the righteousness that comes through faith, just as Abraham did (Romans 4:3).
Likewise, Joseph fled from Potiphar’s wife—not because he lacked desire, but because God’s glory was worth more than sin’s pleasure. Every act of obedience glorifies God and produces righteousness, for nothing pleases Him more than a heart that chooses His will over sin.
Romans 6:16
“You are slaves of the one you obey—either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness.”
THE FREE WILL DEBATE.
5. Denying What We Want Rejects the Spirit of Rebellion
Satan’s fall began with the desire to be equal with God—an insistence on “I want” that ignited rebellion in heaven. Every time we surrender our desires to God’s authority, we reject that same Spirit of rebellion. It’s saying, “God is better than what I want.”
Though denying pleasure may feel unfair—as some would say, “we were born this way”—we reap the rewards after we’ve passed the test of fire. When God restores us in heaven, we will no longer wrestle with conflicting desires but be united in one Spirit, joyfully pleasing God without struggle or resistance.
Titus 2:11-12
“God’s grace teaches us to say ‘No’ to sin and live self-controlled, godly lives.”
WOMEN PASTOR: A REBELLION AGAINST THE CHURCH.
6. Obedience Declares our Love to God
We often obey our parents not merely out of fear, but out of love and respect. In the same way, when we say no to sin and deny desires that promise sinful pleasure, we are declaring, “I love God more than my sinful pleasure.” Each act of obedience becomes an expression of trust and love—choosing God over what the flesh satisfies.
In turn, God will direct and make a steady path for a person who obeys Him. Even if that person stumbles, they won’t be defeated, because the Lord takes hold of their hand and keeps them standing. (Psalm 37:23–24)
John 14:15
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LOVE YOUR ENEMY?
7. Obedience Reflects God’s Holy Nature.
God’s nature is Holy; therefore, being called to holiness is not just a spiritual matter but also a behavioral one. Hence, saying NO to sinful appetite or twisted sexual desires is how we echo God’s nature and character.
It’s not easy—every day is an uphill battle, especially for men, young or old, seasoned or unseasoned. But God’s grace is new every morning and His faithfulness never fails (Lamentations 3:22–23). Remember, God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance (Romans 2:4).
1 Peter 1:16
“Be holy, for I am holy.”
8. A Final Warning Towards the End Times
In the early church, some believers grew complacent, assuming that mere belief guaranteed salvation and using God’s grace as an excuse for ungodly living. Peter reminded them that God’s patience is mercy—granting time for repentance before judgment.
He also warned that “the day of the Lord will come like a thief” when the heavens and earth will be destroyed by fire (2 Peter 3:10–11). Therefore, those bound for heaven must live in holiness as proof of true faith and readiness for Christ’s return, for salvation is not a license for unholy living.
2 Peter 3:10–11
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness?”
