Cravings, in the biblical context, refer to intense desires or longings, often for things that are not aligned with God's will. These desires can be physical, emotional, or spiritual and are frequently depicted in Scripture as obstacles to righteous living and spiritual growth.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, cravings are often associated with the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. One of the most notable instances is found in the Book of Numbers. The Israelites, having been delivered from slavery in Egypt, began to crave the foods they had left behind. Numbers 11:4-6 states, "Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, 'Who will feed us meat? We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. But now our appetite is gone; there is nothing to see but this manna!'"

This passage highlights how cravings can lead to discontent and ingratitude, causing the people to forget God's provision and miraculous deliverance. The Israelites' cravings led to God's anger, as they prioritized their physical desires over trust in His provision.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, cravings are often linked to the sinful nature and the desires of the flesh. The Apostle Paul addresses this in his letters, emphasizing the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. In Galatians 5:16-17 , Paul writes, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want."

Paul's teachings underscore the importance of living by the Spirit to overcome the cravings of the flesh. These cravings are seen as part of the old self, which believers are called to put off in favor of a new life in Christ.

Cravings and Temptation

Cravings are closely related to temptation, as they often serve as the entry point for sin. James 1:14-15 explains this process: "But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

This passage illustrates the progression from craving to sin, highlighting the need for vigilance and self-control. Believers are encouraged to resist cravings that lead to sin and instead pursue righteousness and holiness.

Spiritual Discipline and Overcoming Cravings

The Bible provides guidance on overcoming cravings through spiritual discipline and reliance on God's strength. Fasting, prayer, and meditation on Scripture are practices that help believers align their desires with God's will. Jesus Himself demonstrated the power of Scripture in resisting temptation during His time in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11).

Furthermore, the fruit of the Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-23 , includes self-control, which is essential in managing cravings. By cultivating the fruit of the Spirit, believers can develop the discipline needed to overcome the desires of the flesh.

Conclusion

Cravings, when left unchecked, can lead to sin and separation from God. The Bible calls believers to live by the Spirit, resist the desires of the flesh, and cultivate self-control through spiritual disciplines. By doing so, they can align their desires with God's will and experience the fullness of life in Christ.

The Beatific vision.
... man, for instance, who has suffered mutely from toil and want, looks upon heaven
as a place of rest, abounding with all that can satisfy the cravings of nature ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter i the beatific vision.htm

The Corn of Wheat.
... You may consume your life for your own present gratification and profit, to satisfy
your present cravings and tastes and to secure the largest amount of ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/iii the corn of wheat.htm

The Prayer of Jabez
... Though for awhile they regale the senses, they cannot satisfy the higher cravings
of the soul. ... One of the first cravings of men's hearts is wealth. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the prayer of jabez.htm

The victory of the King
... wrong. It asserts itself independent of all considerations. In itself neutral,
it may, like all physical cravings, lead to sin. Most ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the victory of the king.htm

Jesus Discussed in Jerusalem.
... rather, that He is the true Temple, and that the Holy Ghost proceeding from Him,
and dwelling in men, is the life-giving fountain.[32] All the cravings after a ...
/.../xvi jesus discussed in jerusalem.htm

Preface.
... at the moment; it is enough to state what approves itself to his judgment, and to
hold it fast amid the contrarieties of conjecture or the cravings of curiosity ...
//christianbookshelf.org/davidson/the canon of the bible/preface.htm

Rejection of Errors
... of Pelagius, and is opposed to the doctrine of the apostle when he writes: "All
of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/synod of dort/rejection of errors.htm

Rejection of Errors
... is deceitful above all things and beyond cure (Jeremiah 17:9)" and of the apostle:
"All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/synod of dort/rejection of errors 3.htm

Fenelon -- the Saints Converse with God
... to a better country. Every attempt to satisfy the cravings of our hearts
at other sources only increases the void. You will be always ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/fenelon the saints converse.htm

That we Should Seek the Verdict of Our Conscience in Every ...
... madness to seek, hunger for and aspire to human praise or renown, from oneself or
others, when one is in spite of it all inwardly full of cravings and serious ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/albert/on cleaving to god/chapter 14 that we should.htm

Cravings (17 Occurrences)
...Cravings (17 Occurrences). ... (WEY). Romans 6:12 Let not Sin therefore reign as king
in your mortal bodies, causing you to be in subjection to their cravings; (WEY) ...
/c/cravings.htm - 11k

Lower (72 Occurrences)
... Galatians 5:16 This then is what I mean. Let your lives be guided by the Spirit,
and then you will certainly not indulge the cravings of your lower natures. ...
/l/lower.htm - 30k

Natures (12 Occurrences)
... Galatians 5:16 This then is what I mean. Let your lives be guided by the Spirit,
and then you will certainly not indulge the cravings of your lower natures. ...
/n/natures.htm - 10k

Indulge (12 Occurrences)
... Galatians 5:16 This then is what I mean. Let your lives be guided by the Spirit,
and then you will certainly not indulge the cravings of your lower natures. ...
/i/indulge.htm - 10k

Earthly (39 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Romans 13:14 On the contrary, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ,
and make no provision for gratifying your earthly cravings. (WEY). ...
/e/earthly.htm - 22k

Craving (19 Occurrences)
... desire. (See JPS). Psalms 78:30 They didn't turn from their cravings. Their
food was yet in their mouths, (Root in WEB JPS RSV). Psalms ...
/c/craving.htm - 11k

Opposed (23 Occurrences)
... Galatians 5:17 For the cravings of the lower nature are opposed to those of the
Spirit, and the cravings of the Spirit are opposed to those of the lower nature ...
/o/opposed.htm - 13k

Wage (39 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 2:11 Dear friends, I entreat you as pilgrims and foreigners not to indulge
the cravings of your lower natures: for all such cravings wage war upon the ...
/w/wage.htm - 18k

Inclined (23 Occurrences)
... Galatians 5:17 For the cravings of the lower nature are opposed to those of the
Spirit, and the cravings of the Spirit are opposed to those of the lower nature ...
/i/inclined.htm - 14k

Antagonistic (1 Occurrence)
... Galatians 5:17 For the cravings of the lower nature are opposed to those of the
Spirit, and the cravings of the Spirit are opposed to those of the lower nature ...
/a/antagonistic.htm - 7k

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