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Plato once said that all human behavior flows from only three main sources: desire,emotion, and knowledge. Whether or not this is true, there is no doubt that much of ourbehavior flows from just one of those three sources: desire.We want, so we pursue. We pursue until we obtain the object of our want, we tire of thepursuit, or we are prohibited from obtaining the object of our want.Desire is surely one of the most potent propellants of human activity.And unfortunately, the well of desire is also one of the deepest reservoirs from which sinis drawn.There are three main issues that have significant bearing on a discussion of desire andits fruits. When sin is a byproduct of desire, it is in large part due to these three factors:1. DiscontentDiscontent often manifests itself through the act of complaining.While complaining is a voicing of one’s negative view on his current circumstance, itcarries the implicit expression of a wish for something perceived to be better. Thus, theconcept of desire is intrinsic to the concept of complaining.Historically, God has punished few things more harshly than the attitude of discontent.The children of Israel were expert complainers. Scripture records incident after incidentin which the people murmured against God.And God responded severely:In Numbers 21, God sent fiery serpents among the people to destroy the complainers. InNumbers 16, God delivered a plague that wiped out nearly 15,000 people.God detests discontent. And when desire wells up from the fountain of discontent, it is sin.2. The Grass Is Greener On The Other SideClosely related to discontent is the notion that the grass is greener on the other side.Desire is often an outgrowth of the perception that someone else has it better. It reallymakes no difference whether or not the grass is actually greener on the other side, itmatters only that we think it is.When the perception is that things are better on the other side of the fence, one’s mindbegins to cry, “Woe is me! If he deserves something that good, then I do, too!”We try to keep up with the Joneses.Which is bad enough.But we often go further than that.Many times, we want to do more than just be like the Joneses...we want to be theJoneses. We don’t what simply want something similar to what they have, we actuallywant what they have.And God calls that covetousness...and He bluntly condemns it:• “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife orhis male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongsto your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:17, NASB)• “...Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in theabundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15, NKJV)• “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth...covetousness, which isidolatry. Because of these things, the wrath of God is coming upon the sons ofdisobedience...” (Colossians 3:5-6, NKJV)• “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as youhave...” (Hebrews 13:5, NKJV)When desire gives birth to covetousness, it is sin.3. ExcessOne of the most pernicious traits of desire is its ability to lead to excess.The New Testament repeatedly condemns excess by commending moderation:• “And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” (1 Timothy 6:8, NKJV)• “Give us this day our daily bread...” (Matthew 6:11)• “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth...” (Matthew 6:19, NASB)At its core, excess carries with it the concept of waste and waste is a misappropriation ofthe resources over which we’ve been made stewards.Excess also carries with it a sense of entitlement to more than what is actually deserved.When one chooses to live in excess, he chooses to hoard for himself what he mightotherwise use to help those in need.And as one becomes accustomed to living in excess, he is likely to begin overestimatinghis own worth as an individual.When