Craving, in a biblical context, refers to an intense desire or longing, often for something that is not aligned with God's will. The Bible addresses cravings in various forms, highlighting both physical and spiritual dimensions. Cravings can lead individuals away from a righteous path, emphasizing the need for self-control and reliance on God.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, cravings are often associated with the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. One notable instance is found in Numbers 11:4-6, where the Israelites express a strong craving for the foods they had in Egypt, despite God's provision of manna: "The rabble among them had a strong craving, and the Israelites wept again 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 illustrates how cravings can lead to discontent and ingratitude towards God's provision.

New Testament Insights

The New Testament further explores the concept of cravings, particularly in the context of spiritual desires. In 1 John 2:16, the apostle John warns against worldly cravings: "For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world" . Here, cravings are linked to the sinful nature and the temptations that can draw believers away from God.

The apostle Paul also addresses cravings in his letters. In Galatians 5:16-17, he contrasts the desires of the flesh with the desires of the Spirit: "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 emphasizes the importance of living by the Spirit to overcome fleshly cravings.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, cravings are often seen as manifestations of the fallen human nature. They can lead to sin when they become more important than obedience to God. The Bible encourages believers to exercise self-control, a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), to resist unhealthy cravings and align their desires with God's will.

Practical Application

Believers are called to examine their cravings and desires, ensuring they do not become idols or lead to sinful behavior. Prayer, meditation on Scripture, and accountability within the Christian community are practical ways to address and overcome cravings. By seeking God's guidance and strength, believers can cultivate a heart that desires what is good and pleasing to Him.

Conclusion

While cravings are a natural part of human experience, the Bible provides guidance on how to manage them in a way that honors God. By understanding the nature of cravings and relying on the Holy Spirit, believers can navigate their desires and live a life that reflects their faith.(n.) A vehement or urgent desire; longing for; beseeching.3105. mainomai -- to rage, be mad
... be beside oneself, rage. Middle voice from a primary mao (to long for; through the
idea of insensate craving); to rave as a "maniac" -- be beside self (mad). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3105.htm - 7k183. avah -- to incline, desire
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition to incline, desire NASB Word Usage been
greedy (1), crave (1), craved (1), craves (1), craving (1), desire (8 ...
/hebrew/183.htm - 6k

1942. havvah -- desire, chasm, destruction
... Word Origin from havah Definition desire, chasm, destruction NASB Word Usage calamities
(1), calamity (1), craving (1), deadly (1), desire (2), destruction (8 ...
/hebrew/1942.htm - 6k

Whether the Craving for Unity is a Cause of Sorrow?
... OF THE CAUSES OF SORROW OR PAIN (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the craving for
unity is a cause of sorrow? Objection 1: It would seem that ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the craving for unity.htm

Moral Depravity.
... food. So the presence of any object could be no inducement to sin, were
there not a constitutional appetency or craving for sin. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxiv moral depravity.htm

Regeneration.
... the sensibility. Moral depravity, according to this school, consists in
a constitutional relish, taste, or craving for sin. They ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxviii regeneration.htm

Whether Concupiscence is in the Sensitive Appetite Only?
... i, 11), "concupiscence is a craving for that which is pleasant." Now pleasure is
twofold, as we shall state later on ([1252]Q[31], AA[3],4): one is in the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether concupiscence is in the.htm

Of an Eternal Hunger for God
... Here there begins an eternal hunger, which shall never more be satisfied; it is
an inward craving and hankering of the loving power and the created spirit ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter liii of an eternal.htm

How We, Though one with God, must Eternally Remain Other than God
... And in that same moment in which we feel that God would be wholly ours, there arises
within us a gaping and eager craving which is so hungry and so deep and so ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter x how we though.htm

Second Sermon for Epiphany
... And by this act of arising, the ground of the soul is stirred, and a strong craving
springs up in it; and the more this deepest ground of the soul is laid bare ...
/.../vi second sermon for epiphany.htm

Absolution.
... The negation we have got"the vehement denial; we are weary of its reiteration: but
the positive truth which lies at the bottom of this craving"where is that ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/robertson/sermons preached at brighton/v absolution.htm

Mrs. Hsi's Gift
... Even his intense craving for opium was gone, the Confucian writings which had been
his constant companion were now neglected, and in spite of her entreaties ...
/.../cable/the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter i mrs hsis gift.htm

The Genius and Character of the Antichrist
... He knows how to gratify the craving for knowledge and how to satisfy the taste for
refinement and culture, he can delight the ear with melodious music and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the genius and character of.htm

Craving (19 Occurrences)
...Craving (19 Occurrences). ... 2 Peter 2:10 and especially those who are abandoned to
sensuality--craving, as they do, for polluted things, and scorning control. ...
/c/craving.htm - 11k

Thirst (40 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A sensation of dryness in the throat associated with a craving for liquids,
produced by deprivation of drink, or by some other cause (as fear ...
/t/thirst.htm - 20k

Lust (42 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Longing desire; eagerness to possess or enjoy; -- in a had sense; as,
the lust of gain. 4. (n.) Licentious craving; sexual appetite. ...
/l/lust.htm - 24k

Craved (6 Occurrences)
... people who lusted. (See NIV). Psalms 78:18 And they tried God in their heart
by asking food for their craving. (See RSV NIV). Psalms 78 ...
/c/craved.htm - 7k

Cravings (17 Occurrences)

/c/cravings.htm - 11k

Hunger (52 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An uneasy sensation occasioned normally by the
want of food; a craving or desire for food. 2. (n.) Any strong eager desire. ...
/h/hunger.htm - 25k

Long (2810 Occurrences)
... 17. (v.) To feel a strong or morbid desire or craving; to wish for something with
eagerness; -- followed by an infinitive, or by after or for. 18. ...
/l/long.htm - 8k

Longing (40 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Long. 2. (n.) An eager desire; a craving; a morbid appetite; an earnest
wish; an aspiration. Multi-Version Concordance Longing (40 Occurrences). ...
/l/longing.htm - 18k

Wasteland (19 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Psalms 106:14 but gave in to craving in the desert, and tested God in
the wasteland. (WEB NIV). Isaiah 5:6 I will lay it a wasteland. ...
/w/wasteland.htm - 11k

Wanton (20 Occurrences)
... from you." (See RSV). Psalms 106:14 but gave in to craving in the desert,
and tested God in the wasteland. (See RSV). Proverbs 9:13 ...
/w/wanton.htm - 13k

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