In the context of the Bible, the term "craves" often refers to a deep, intense longing or desire for something. This longing can be both physical and spiritual, and the Bible addresses various forms of craving, highlighting both its positive and negative aspects.

Craving for Righteousness

One of the most commendable forms of craving mentioned in the Scriptures is the longing for righteousness. In the Beatitudes, Jesus declares, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6). This craving is a deep desire to live in accordance with God's will and to seek His kingdom above all else. It reflects a heart that yearns for holiness and a life that aligns with divine principles.

Craving for God's Word

The Bible also encourages believers to crave spiritual nourishment through God's Word. In 1 Peter 2:2, it is written, "Like newborn infants, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation" . This metaphor emphasizes the importance of desiring the Word of God as essential sustenance for spiritual growth and maturity. Just as infants naturally crave milk for physical development, Christians are called to earnestly seek the Scriptures for spiritual edification.

Worldly Cravings

Conversely, the Bible warns against worldly cravings that lead individuals away from God. In 1 John 2:16, the apostle John cautions, "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" . These cravings are characterized by a pursuit of temporal pleasures and material possessions, which can distract from a life devoted to God. Such desires are often rooted in selfishness and can lead to sin and spiritual decay.

Craving and Idolatry

The Bible also associates certain cravings with idolatry, where desires for things other than God become central in one's life. In Colossians 3:5, Paul instructs believers to "put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry" . Here, cravings that prioritize earthly pleasures over spiritual devotion are equated with idol worship, as they replace God as the primary focus of one's life.

Craving and Contentment

Scripture encourages believers to find contentment in God rather than in worldly cravings. In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul shares his personal testimony of contentment, stating, "I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" . This passage underscores the sufficiency of Christ in fulfilling the deepest longings of the human heart, offering a remedy to the insatiable nature of worldly cravings.

Conclusion

The Bible presents a balanced view of cravings, recognizing the legitimacy of certain desires while cautioning against those that lead away from God. Believers are encouraged to cultivate a longing for righteousness and spiritual growth, while remaining vigilant against the allure of worldly desires that can hinder their relationship with God.1934. epizeteo -- to inquire for
... Word Origin from epi and zeteo Definition to inquire for NASB Word Usage craves
(1), eagerly seek (2), searched (1), searching (1), seek (2), seeking (3 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1934.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

Social Recreation.
... The natural child is activity embodied. The healthful old person craves exercise.
Life, activity, exercise, each must have some method of spending itself. ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/vii social recreation.htm

Through Three Things a Man Becomes God-Seeing
... Eternal Light, and in this light, he feels the eternal demand of the Divine Unity;
and he feels himself to be an eternal fire of love, which craves above all ...
/.../the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter iii through three things.htm

The Thirst of the Rich Man in Hell Does not Prove the Soul to be ...
... These are his words: "Is it," asks he, "because the soul craves meat and drink,
that we suppose material food passes into it?" Then shortly afterwards he says ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 8 the thirst of the.htm

The Two Yokes
... He craves a post in the council or the camp. ... Your nature goes after it. Yes, and
many a sick man's nature craves for that which would be his poison. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the two yokes.htm

Enoch, the Deathless
... company of a pigeon. Man craves for fellowship and friendship. Happiest
is he who has the noblest companion. God alone fills the ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/enoch the deathless.htm

Of the Infirmity of the Flesh, and Similar Pleas.
... Fleshly concupiscence claims the functions of adult age, craves after beauty's harvest,
rejoices in its own shame, pleads the necessity of a husband to the ...
/.../tertullian/to his wife/chapter iv of the infirmity of.htm

The Battle of Life
... mere earthly happiness, 'are manifest, which are these:'"not merely that open vice
and immorality into which the young man falls when he craves after mere ...
/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon vii the battle of.htm

It is a Sure Foundation for Our Faith.
... It Is a Sure Foundation for Our Faith. Man craves for certainty. Speculations and
hypotheses are insufficient where eternal issues are at stake. ...
/.../pink/the divine inspiration of the bible/iv it is a sure.htm

Protest and Agony. (I, iv. 10, 19, vi. 11, xi. 18-xii. 6, xv. 10 ...
... springs to it with freedom. But Jeremiah, always coerced, shrinks, protests,
craves leave to retire. So that while Isaiah's answer ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/1 protest and agony i.htm

God.
... Such wrestling man's spirit has to encounter like Jacob of old in the dark, and
if like the Patriarch it craves the Name, which is the Nature, of That with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/1 god.htm

Craves (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Craves (5 Occurrences). ... 2 Corinthians 7:5 For even after
our arrival in Macedonia we could get no relief such as human nature craves. ...
/c/craves.htm - 7k

Conflicts (3 Occurrences)
... Conflicts (3 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 7:5 For even after our arrival in
Macedonia we could get no relief such as human nature craves. ...
/c/conflicts.htm - 7k

Crave (9 Occurrences)
... to implore. 2. (vt) To call for, as a gratification; to long for; hence,
to require or demand; as, the stomach craves food. 3. (vi ...
/c/crave.htm - 9k

Craved (6 Occurrences)

/c/craved.htm - 7k

Craveth (2 Occurrences)

/c/craveth.htm - 7k

Arrival (19 Occurrences)
... soldier. (WEY). 2 Corinthians 7:5 For even after our arrival in Macedonia
we could get no relief such as human nature craves. We ...
/a/arrival.htm - 12k

Priesthood (30 Occurrences)
... The heart craves the intervention and intercession on their behalf of one who
has liberty of access to God, and whose ministry is acceptable. ...
/p/priesthood.htm - 40k

Nature (80 Occurrences)
... day. (See RSV). 2 Corinthians 7:5 For even after our arrival in Macedonia
we could get no relief such as human nature craves. We ...
/n/nature.htm - 35k

Harassed (12 Occurrences)
... vanishing. (WEY). 2 Corinthians 7:5 For even after our arrival in Macedonia
we could get no relief such as human nature craves. We ...
/h/harassed.htm - 10k

Greatly (297 Occurrences)
... See NIV). 2 Corinthians 7:5 For even after our arrival in Macedonia we could
get no relief such as human nature craves. We were greatly ...
/g/greatly.htm - 34k

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