Set Point

Recently I took my car to the auto shop and walked home in the rain. I did this twice in the same week but within a couple of days I got a terrible cold and chest congestion followed by the usual chills and fever.

A fever is an increase in the body's normal temperature (called set point usually 98.6°F) as a reaction to disease or illness. Other factors may change the body's normal set point like exercise, room temperature, emotions or food.

Scripture gives us an example when Peter's mother-in-law had a fever. Jesus touched her hand and she was healed. Afterwards she got up and served Him (Matthew 8:14-15). Whatever the cause of the fever Jesus healed her and the body's set point was restored.

There is another type of fever that can be brought on by lust. Lust is an intense and passionate desire (almost feverish) to have or possess something or even someone. James 4:2 says, "You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask." (NASB).

I can remember a time when I was so persistent in a particular sin that it made me feel feverish. I was agitated and anxious. My mind raced with thoughts and ideas in how to get what I wanted and more.

The danger of a natural fever is true of a lust driven fever. If the body temperature is too high and prolonged it can damage the brain. Lust is a fire that once ignited will consume until nothing remains. Lust will distort clear thinking. The mind is cloudy and confused which impacts right responses to life's stressors like work responsibilities or relationships.

Only God can take our hand and drive out the fever. Even more to go to the source of our lust. Not all lust is sexual in nature. It can be a natural desire for knowledge, perhaps to travel and experience new places or have more money to be debt free or have a meaningful relationship. But as James 4:2 warns when we fail to ask God for what we lack our natural response is to take matters in our own hands.

Beloved, be honest with God with your desires. Speak truthfully and sincerely to Him about what you want. And allow Him to determine if such a request will be granted. We got to believe He truly satisfies us with good things (Psalms 103:5).

Remember Psalms 23:1 the Lord is our Shepherd and we shall never be in want. And that is how He restores our set point. The more passionate we are about Him the fever of lust is extinguished. We can get up like Peter's mother-in-law and serve Him with renewed vigor and strength.