The Lust of Concupiscence 1 Thessalonians 4:5

Paul the apostle and his traveling companions desired for the Thessalonian church members to

“abstain from fornication” and “be sanctified”. They were to “possess” their “vessels in sanctification and honor”. In chapter four and verse five of his letter, Paul went on to add, “not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles” where we read:

Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

The verse begins, “Not in the lust of concupiscence,...” Paul began with the phrase, “Not in the lust” or “feeling which the mind suffers such as an affliction of the mind, an emotion or passion” “of concupiscence” which means “desire, craving and longing for that which is forbidden”. The Thessalonians were not to have passionate desires and cravings for things which are forbidden by God.

The verse goes on to say, “...even as the Gentiles which know not God:” Paul continued by giving an example as he wrote, “even as the Gentiles” which means “even, indeed and according to the manner of the tribes, nations and people groups who are pagans” “which know not” or “who do not perceive, notice discern or discover” “God” who is “the Godhead bodily and trinity comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Paul used the desires of those who do not know God as an example for the Thessalonian church members

When we think through these words of Paul, we once again see his concern for the people in Thessalonica. He first told them how they should be, “in sanctification and honor” and then gave them an example of how not to be. They knew exactly the behavior of those whom he referenced. We too are not be be “in the lust of concupiscence” or “craving that which is forbidden”. This is practical Christian living, and it is demonstrated within our lives for all the world to see that we know Jesus as our Savior and Lord. Though the world and the people within it often fall into lustful behaviors which are contrary to God, these acts should never once be named among us. May the Lord Jesus help us by His Holy Spirit to leave off the desires and cravings for forbidden things, and help us to desire that which is permitted by God.

Next time Paul tells the Thessalonians that no man should “defraud his brother”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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