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Abs writes:

James 1:14
NASB : But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.
NIV : but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire,….
NASB says lust where as NIV says evil desire. So, do all the evil desires point to lust? Is lust the main evil desire?
James 1:15
NASB : Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.
NIV : Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
According to NASB, death came from lust. So is lust the mother of all evil? Did man fall because of lust?

My reply:

Let’s go to the Merriam-Webster definition of “lust”:
1 obsolete a : PLEASURE, DELIGHT b : personal inclination : WISH
2 : usually intense or unbridled sexual desire : LASCIVIOUSNESS
3 a : an intense longing : CRAVING b : ENTHUSIASM, EAGERNESS
I think in this case it’s a blend of the 2nd and 3rd meanings: an unbridled longing or desire.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with intense longing - but it is the unbridled part of the definition that gives birth to sin.

Leroy writes:

The NIV is using the word “desire” because it’s easier for its intended audience to understand than the word “lust”. Also people can tend to confuse general lust that could be for anything with sexual lust.

The verse isn’t saying that lust is the mother of all sin or evil, just some of it. I think that eliminates the subsequent question but post a reply back if it doesn’t.

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