One of William Shakespeare’s well known comedies is the Taming of the Shrew. Written in the early 1590’s, this play has been adapted numerous times for stage, screen, opera, ballet, and musical theatre. While this production highlights a bad-tempered and aggressively assertive woman, the Bible speaks of an another beast with a similar reputation. According to John, this inner demon feeds off of worldly desires. Fueled by longings, lust and sensual desires, few people have had success in taming these cravings.
Do not love the world [of sin that opposes God and His precepts], nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust and sensual craving of the flesh and the lust and longing of the eyes and the boastful pride of life [pretentious confidence in one’s resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father, but are from the world, 1 John 2:15-16.
According to Jesus, the eyes serve as the lamp of the human body, Matthew 6:22-24. If your eyes are good, fixated on Jesus, Hebrews 12:2, spiritual light will guide your steps. However, if you allow your eyes to wander, take a second glance and begin to stare at unwholesome sights, darkness will enter your body. This seemingly innocent act starts a chain reaction that awakens fleshly desires. Those who indulge in masturbation, pornography and or sex outside of marriage corrupts hearts, souls and minds.
The world is passing away, and with it its lusts [the shameful pursuits and ungodly longings]; but the one who does the will of God and carries out His purposes lives forever, 1 John 2:17.
The only cure known to the cravings of the sinful nature is pursuing God’s will. In his Sermon of the Mount, Jesus tells his audience where your heart is, your treasure will be also. Thus, those who appease earthly cravings will be distracted, focused on satisfying temporary pleasures in life. The only way to tame this spiritual shrew is by setting your heart and mind on things above, Colossians 3:1-4. Those who learn to clothe themselves with Christ can overcome the demons of your past. While this is not an easy process, may the Holy Spirit fill you with discipline, insight and wisdom to tame any unholy craving within you.
by Jay Mankus
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