Keller: Sin creates in us the feeling that...

The main problem our heart has is not so much desires for bad things, but our over-desires for good things. When a good thing becomes our “god”, it creates “over-desires” (see Ephesians 2:3; 1 Peter 2:11; 1 John 2:16). Paul says that sinful desires become deep things that drive and control us. Sin creates in us the feeling that we must have this, or that, or the other.

David Powlison has a very helpful insight on this:

“If ‘idolatry’ is the characteristic and summary Old Testament word for our drift from God, then ‘desires’ (epithumia) is the characteristic and summary New Testament word for that same drift … The New Testament merges the concept of idolatry and the concept of inordinate, life-ruling desires … for lust, craving, yearning and greedy demand (Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5).”
(The Journal of Biblical Counseling, page 36)

Keller, T. (2013). Galatians for You (p. 146). Purcellville, VA: The Good Book Company.

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