The scriptures offer us many doctrinal diamonds. When the light of the Spirit plays upon their several facets, they sparkle with celestial sense and illuminate the path we are to follow. Exemplifying this happy reality are the doctrinal teachings concerning ''desire,'' which relates so directly to our moral agency and individuality. Whether in their conception or expression, our desires reflect our use of our moral agency. Desires thus become real determinants, even when, with pitiful naivete, we do not really want the consequences of our desires.
Desire denotes a real longing or craving.
Hence righteous desires are much more than passive preferences or fleeting feelings. Of course our genes, and circumstances, and environments matter very much and shape us significantly. Yet there remains an inner zone in which we are sovereign, unless we abdicate. In this zone lies the essence of our individuality and our personal accountability . See also Jer.