It is easy to think that what you are feeling is just natural, but much of what we experience daily is actually influenced by the elemental spirits or principalities in the spirit realm (Ephesians 6:12). This message is especially for young adults because that is the age group these spirits are targeting. There is a rage of anger in the Holy Spirit against these demonic spirits that have come against the young people. So I want to talk about the principality of lust.
The temptation of Yeshua (Jesus) took place before His ministry began. He was baptized, received the Holy Spirit, and then “immediately the Spirit impelled Him to go out into the wilderness” (Mark 1:12).[1] During this experience satan led Yeshua up to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory (Matthew 4:8). Imagine seeing in a moment everything the world has to offer. Remember, Yeshua was tested just as we are (Hebrews 4:15). Then the devil replied, “If You worship before me, it shall all be Yours” (Luke 4:7). Talk about being bombarded with a spirit of lust for the things of the world! But Yeshua answered, “It is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’”
One Greek Word translated as “lust” is epithumia. It does not have a negative connotation. It simply means “a strong desire of longing, a strong impulse or eager longing.” Yeshua responded, “I refuse to worship you, satan. I refuse to possess the things of the world through you because you are trying to pervert my worship of the Father.”
The great commandment is to love the Lord with all your heart, all your mind, and all your strength. By definition that is lust; it is the drive to possess God. Someone who is addicted to drugs is driven to have them. It is a longing, a desire, a driving force. Satan was trying to turn loose a strong drive in Yeshua to lust after the world. But the truth is that if you lust after God, you inherit all these things (Zechariah 8:12). That is what Yeshua understood: “I’m not going to worship satan. That is a perversion of this drive I have for the Father.”
Likewise, you can redirect your feelings of lust into worship for God. The devil cannot be creative; he can only be destructive. He has to take what God created and pervert it to make you feel badly. You can get condemned because you understand that these drives are in you. But hopefully as you grow up, you learn to control them. When you are immature, it is easy to be drawn into the world and lust after it. But if you understand what I am saying, you will never be condemned again; you will only get mad. God created you with lust, but the Greek meaning of this word is not negative; it is a drive. God created that drive in you. He wants that drive in our worship, a drive that is driven for Him. So cry with all your heart, “I’m lusting after You, Father! I am longing for You. You created me to be Your worshipper.”
This longing toward God coming out of the youth will be like a raging fire that is driven into the things of God. It is a hunger for God. Desire the Spirit to fill you and consume you until there is no way this relationship between the Father and you can ever be perverted.
[1] All Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995).